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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 261


Page 261 of 512

Study: Dying stars breathe life into Earth

A new study published in Nature Astronomy sheds light on the origin of carbon in the Milky Way, revealing that dying stars play a crucial role in its synthesis. The research team found that low-mass stars shed more massive remnants than previously thought, breaking a linear trend in star formation and planetary evolution.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 6, 2020

Why it's no last orders for the Tequila bat

A study by researchers from the University of Bristol has identified the ancestral origin of tequila bats in Mexico, revealing distinct migratory patterns and breeding habits. The findings support the need for targeted conservation management strategies to protect this Near Threatened species.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateJul 6, 2020

Behind the dead-water phenomenon

Researchers from CNRS and University of Poitiers have explained the 'dead water' phenomenon in ships, where waves create drag, slowing down or stopping vessels. The study reveals waves act like an undulating conveyor belt, causing speed oscillations in trapped boats.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

When metal flows like liquid glass: a technology for producing superplastic wire is proposed

Lobachevsky University scientists have developed new ways to modify the structure of aluminium alloys, improving their performance. They used induction casting in vacuum and plastic deformation technologies to create homogeneous highly plastic structures that maintain high strength, thermal resistance, and electrical conductivity.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateJul 6, 2020

Scientists discover a new connection between the eyes and touch

A team of scientists at New York University has found that tiny eye movements can be used as an index of humans' ability to anticipate relevant information in the environment. The study reveals a connection between eye movements and the sense of touch, with micro-saccades hindering tactile discrimination and suppressing them enhancing it.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

Harmful microbes found on sewer pipe walls

A Rutgers study reveals that sewer pipe walls harbor biofilms containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can withstand standard disinfection methods. Cleaning with bleach can reduce biofilm density but not remove them entirely, posing health risks to wastewater treatment workers and the public.

The electrified brain

Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have identified a specific nerve bundle as the optimal target for deep brain stimulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study's findings may improve treatment outcomes for patients with severe OCD, which affects over 2% of people worldwide.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

New insights into van der Waals materials found

The study observed a rare phenomenon known as the dynamic breaking of Friedel's Law in layered van der Waals materials, where the pairs of Bragg peaks show opposite oscillating patterns. This unique behavior is attributed to the lattice structure of the material and its effect on electron diffraction.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 6, 2020

Do we know what we want in a romantic partner? No more than a random stranger would

A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that people's ideal partner preferences do not reflect any unique personal insight. Participants who listed their top three attributes in an ideal partner showed increased romantic desire for others who possessed those same attributes, regardless of whether they were acquaintances or strangers.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJul 6, 2020

New vitamin K-based drug shows promise against medication-resistant epilepsy

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have developed a vitamin K-based compound that eliminates medication-resistant epileptic seizures in mice. The compound works by increasing brain cells' ability to produce energy and protects mitochondrial health, making it a promising new treatment option for those with epilepsy.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateJul 6, 2020

Coconut confusion reveals consumer conundrum

A new study reveals that coconut oil production threatens more species per ton produced than palm or other vegetable oils, with 20 threatened species affected per million tons. The research highlights the difficulties of conscientious consumption due to a lack of objective guidance on environmental impacts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 6, 2020

Running in Tarahumara culture

Researchers study Tarahumara runners to dispel stereotypes about their athletic prowess. They find that traditional long-distance running is a socially vital form of prayer and develops endurance through regular hard work and physical activities like walking and dancing.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateJul 6, 2020

How does Earth sustain its magnetic field?

The geodynamo generates Earth's magnetic field through the motion of liquid iron in the outer core. New research examines how lighter elements like silicon could drive this process, suggesting a concentration of 8 weight percent silicon is sufficient to sustain the geodynamo on heat transmission alone for the planet's entire history.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020