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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 205


Page 205 of 512

Nutrition labelling is improving nation's diet - new study

A new study finds that Front-of-Pack labelling on food products leads to a reduction in the quantity of labelled store-branded food purchased and an overall improvement in nutritional composition of consumers' shopping baskets. The study, published in the Journal of Health Economics, shows significant improvements in poorer households.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Health Economics·DateAug 12, 2020

A quick, cost-effective method to track the spread of COVID-19

A team of scientists from Hokkaido University has successfully developed an adsorption-extraction technique to efficiently detect SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater. This breakthrough method, using a surrogate virus like murine hepatitis virus, offers a fast and economical way to track the spread of COVID-19 at a larger scale.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateAug 12, 2020

Seafood study finds plastic in all samples

A new study found that five different types of seafood - oysters, prawns, squid, crabs, and sardines - contain plastic, with varying levels of pollution. The research used a newly developed method to identify and measure five different plastic types, revealing surprising differences in the amount of plastic present among species.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 12, 2020

The oldest known cremation in the near east dates to 7000 BC

A study published in PLOS ONE has uncovered the oldest known cremation site in the Near East, dating back to 7013-6700 BC. The remains of a young adult found in Beisamoun, Israel, show evidence of intentional cremation, suggesting a cultural shift in funeral practices during this period.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 12, 2020

Stress and anger may exacerbate heart failure

A new study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure found that mental stress and anger can exacerbate heart failure by worsening diastolic function. Patients who experienced anger during the study exhibited worse baseline resting blood pressure, while most participants showed stress-provoked changes in diastolic function.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·DateAug 12, 2020

Pressure-induced 2D-3D conversion in hybrid lead iodide layered perovskite

Researchers successfully converted a 2D hybrid Dion-Jacobson lead iodide perovskite to a 3D perovskite phase at ambient conditions after pressure treatment. This process enables the use of high-pressure techniques for preparing materials with improved properties, suitable for real-world applications in optoelectronics and luminescence.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 2020

Unlocking how cellular proteins control cancer spread

A McGill-led study unlocks the behavior of an enzyme involved in cancer cell spread, revealing a delicate interaction between PRL3 and magnesium transport proteins crucial to colorectal cancer growth. This finding calls into question long-standing hypotheses about PRL3's role in cancer spread.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 12, 2020

Having COVID-19

The article describes an author's COVID-19 experience, providing a unique perspective on the disease. Key findings include physical symptoms and health outcomes associated with having COVID-19.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateAug 12, 2020

Mutations may have saved brown howlers from yellow fever virus

A University of Utah study found that genetic variations in brown howlers may have helped them survive the devastating yellow fever virus outbreak in Argentina's El Piñalito park. The researchers discovered three mutations in the immune genes of surviving brown howlers, which could affect their response to the disease.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateAug 12, 2020

Why black rhinos may get sick in captivity

A study published in PLOS ONE found that captive black rhinoceroses have higher iron levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress compared to white rhinoceroses. This suggests a link between iron accumulation and the development of diseases like organ failure.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 12, 2020

Survival on heart transplant waiting list

This observational study found that advanced treatment protocols significantly improved survival rates for heart transplant waiting list patients. Researchers examined data from over 11,000 patients and discovered a strong correlation between timely interventions and better outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateAug 12, 2020

Comparing yoga, other treatments for anxiety

A randomized clinical trial found Kundalini yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy to be more effective than stress education in treating generalized anxiety disorder. Yoga was shown to be noninferior to CBT for the treatment of the disorder, suggesting a potential alternative or complement to traditional therapies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateAug 12, 2020

SMART researchers find new way to make bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics

A team at SMART has found that exposing bacteria to hydrogen sulfide can increase antimicrobial sensitivity in bacteria that do not produce H2S, potentially providing a breakthrough in treating drug-resistant infections. The study suggests that the results may be applicable to all bacteria that do not naturally produce H2S.

Perovskite and organic solar cells rocketed into space

Researchers sent perovskite and organic solar cells on a rocket into space, withstanding extreme conditions to produce power from direct sunlight and reflective light. The technology offers a promising solution for future space missions, as it is incredibly light and flexible, producing up to 14 milliwatts per square centimeter.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateAug 12, 2020

How stars form in the smallest galaxies

Researchers have found that dormant small galaxies can slowly accumulate gas over billions of years, allowing for the formation of new stars. The study's findings shed light on the mysterious process of star formation in dwarf galaxies, providing insights into astrophysical processes.

SourceLund University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 12, 2020