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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 240


Page 240 of 512

Argonne's pivotal research discovers practices, technologies key to sustainable farming

A recent study by Argonne National Laboratory quantified how farms can reduce emissions by changing their practices and adopting novel technologies. Sustainable farming professionals can implement lower carbon footprint practices, such as conservation tillage and cover crops, to improve farm efficiency and help the environment.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 20, 2020

Assaying latent HIV proviruses

A new assay detects intact HIV latent proviruses at higher frequencies than previous methods, revealing a significant amount of intact virus in infected individuals; this finding is crucial for developing an HIV cure. The study provides a benchmark for assessing persistent proviral DNA and its composition.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2020

Reduced dose of prasugrel associated with reduced risk for bleeding in low-weight or elderly patient

A reduced dose of prasugrel was found to be as effective as a standard dose of ticagrelor in reducing the risk of bleeding without increasing it, particularly in elderly or low-weight patients with acute coronary syndrome. This finding is based on a randomized trial that assessed efficacy and safety in nearly 4,000 patients.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 20, 2020

Ultracold mystery: Solved

Scientists cooled potassium-rubidium molecules to near absolute zero, observing an intermediate complex that lived for 360 nanoseconds. The team found that laser light was forcing the molecules off their reaction path, leading to loss.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 20, 2020

The real reason behind goosebumps

Researchers found that the sympathetic nerve connects to hair follicle stem cells, bridging the gap between nervous system control and hair regeneration. The muscle facilitates this connection, allowing the nerve to directly regulate stem cell behavior and promote new hair growth in response to temperature changes.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateJul 20, 2020

Music on the brain

Researchers found that trained musicians showed greater powers of rhythmic prediction compared to nonmusicians, with subtle differences between those trained in Japanese or Western classical music. The study also reveals that different cultural upbringings can have a tangible effect on brain development.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJul 20, 2020

Through the nanoscale looking glass -- determining boson peak frequency in ultra-thin alumina

The study used neutron spectroscopy to measure lattice vibrations in ultra-thin alumina particles, confirming theoretical predictions. The findings have implications for controlling heat transfer through ultra-thin materials, potentially benefiting electronics and future spacecraft designs.

New diagnostic test for heart failure patients could also help COVID-19 patients

A new diagnostic test for heart failure patients has been found to also predict COVID-19 patient outcomes, highlighting the connection between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19. The test measures a balance of beneficial and harmful peptides in the blood, suggesting that targeting this pathway could improve treatment for both conditions.

A look inside a battery

Scientists at Oldenburg University have developed a new technique to observe chemical processes during battery operation. The team used scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to track changes on the lithium anode's surface, revealing how dendrites form and limit durability.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalChemElectroChem·DateJul 20, 2020

Native bushland's fertility secret

New research highlights the importance of soil biological health and organic farm inputs for crop production in Australia. The study found that native vegetation acts as a reservoir for beneficial actinobacteria, which can enrich adjoining agricultural soils.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry·DateJul 20, 2020

Cheese making relies on milk proteins to form structure

A recent study in the Journal of Dairy Science reveals that milk protein composition plays a crucial role in cheese production. The researchers found that non-coagulating milk has higher concentrations of certain proteins, leading to lower cheese yields and economic impacts.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJul 20, 2020

MRI scans of the brains of 130 mammals, including humans, indicate equal connectivity

A groundbreaking study using MRI scans of 130 mammalian brains found that brain connectivity levels are equal in all species, including humans. The research revealed a universal law: Conservation of Brain Connectivity, which suggests that the efficiency of information transfer in the brain's neural network is the same across mammals.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 20, 2020

Legal marijuana may be slowing reductions in teen marijuana use, study says

A new study from the University of Washington found that teens may be more likely to use marijuana following legalization due to increased adult use and store proliferation. The study's lead author notes that early use during adolescence can have negative health consequences, making it concerning that teen use may be going up.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJul 20, 2020

Bisexual orientation in men

A study of over 500 men found a U-shaped function in genital and self-reported arousal to erotic stimuli, suggesting a continuum of male sexual orientations. Bisexual-identifying men exhibited smaller differences in arousal between male and female stimuli compared to heterosexual and homosexual men.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2020