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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 215


Page 215 of 512

Local food

The study found that the Pacific Island Countries (PICTs) are vulnerable to food insecurity due to their reliance on global supply chains. However, researchers suggest that bolstering local production and intraregional trade can strengthen the food system and protect against malnutrition. The PICTs have the potential to rely on traditi...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalFood Security·DateAug 5, 2020

Will automated vehicles cut parking revenue?

As autonomous vehicles challenge traditional auto-related funding streams, cities must prepare for potential revenue implications. Researchers analyzed transportation network companies' impact on parking demand and found a non-linear relationship between Uber trips and occupancy. Cities can adjust parking policies by time/day, lower pr...

Three-quarters of migrants traveling to US through Mexico experience food insecurity

A survey of 95 Central American migrants found that 74% experienced food insecurity, with factors including days in transit and travel companion illness. The researchers offer potential remedies for strengthening migrants' access to food, including information on procuring nutrition and prioritizing inexpensive food.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health·DateAug 5, 2020

Organoids help bridge gap between laboratory study and animal modeling of disease

Researchers biofabricated human colorectal cancer organoids to understand how tumors grow in their natural microenvironment and respond to treatments. The study replicated native tumor tissue in a laboratory model and validated its effects on whole-body physiology, paving the way for new therapies targeting the extracellular matrix.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2020

Experiences of loneliness may differ by age

A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands found that loneliness experiences differ by age, with certain factors associated with loneliness varying across adult life stages. The strongest association with loneliness was found for those who felt excluded from society.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateAug 5, 2020

Computational modeling enables heart valve visualizations

Researchers used computational modeling to visualize heart valve implant behavior for the first time, revealing that thinner biological tissues can induce leaflet flutter, compromising durability and causing blood cell damage. This study builds upon decades of research and showcases the importance of supercomputing power in improving s...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2020

Plate tectonics goes global

Researchers discovered evidence of ancient subduction in China and six other continents, revealing that plate tectonics went global 2 billion years ago. This finding provides the first global evidence for the operation of plate tectonics at this age.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateAug 5, 2020

HPV vaccination linked to lower risk of precancerous condition

A study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a precancerous condition leading to cervical cancer. Vaccination coverage was high among young women born in 1993, resulting in a 30% lower risk compared to those...

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateAug 5, 2020

Sustainable chemistry at the quantum level

Researchers have developed a three-pronged approach to predict novel electrocatalysts, which can simulate many atoms at once and transform catalyst development. The new method allows for high-throughput screening powered by machine learning, accelerating the discovery of efficient electrocatalysts.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalInterface·DateAug 5, 2020

Life at its limits

A new study reveals that microbes in the seabed can survive on extremely low levels of energy, with some using methane and sulphate as alternative sources. This discovery challenges our understanding of life's limits and has significant implications for Earth's carbon and nutrient cycles.

Initiative to promote a culture of mobility in hospitals yields encouraging results

An initiative promoting hospital mobility in the US yielded encouraging results, with 76% of participating sites implementing successful programs. Implementing mobility programs reduced bed or chair alarm use by 1.8-fold and increased daily walks for patients by 2-fold.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 5, 2020

Study examines skin diseases in older adults

A study of 552 older adults found 80% had at least one skin disease requiring treatment, with fungal infections and eczema being the most prevalent. The research also revealed that more than a third had multiple simultaneous skin diseases, highlighting the importance of whole body skin evaluations in this age group.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 5, 2020

A one-step diagnostic may bring faster, cheaper cancer testing to remote settings

A rapid and affordable test for breast cancer has been developed to combat delayed diagnoses in developing regions. The compact CytoPAN test uses image cytometry to analyze individual cells, yielding results in under 1 hour and requiring minimal training, making it ideal for resource-limited settings.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 5, 2020

Neuroendocrine markers of grief

Research examines neuroendocrine effects of grief, finding elevated cortisol levels in bereaved individuals with possible long-term health consequences. The study calls for more research on potential markers of neuroendocrine activity associated with grief to inform tailored interventions.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Neuroendocrinology·DateAug 5, 2020