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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 395


Page 395 of 512

Well-engineered 'watercourts' stored live fish, fueling Florida's Calusa kingdom

The Calusa kingdom relied primarily on fishing due to the watercourts, which were built around A.D. 1300 and served as short-term holding pens for fish before consumption or preservation. The structure's design required an understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology, and the biology of various fish species.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Swallowing, tachycardia, and sleep arousal

Researchers found that swallowing and reflex airway closure can disrupt sleep and trigger tachycardia in healthy adults. These defense mechanisms tend to coincide with spontaneous arousal from sleep, suggesting a potential link between sleep disruption and cardiovascular issues.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Advances in production of retinal cells for treating blindness

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to refine the production of retinal cells from embryonic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The modified cells can hide from the immune system, reducing the risk of rejection and potentially leading to a new treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2020

Evidence of magmatism in early planetesimal

Researchers found evidence of internal melting and differentiation in a carbonaceous meteorite, suggesting that primitive bodies started forming core, mantle, and crust structures. The study connects this process to highly differentiated iron meteorites through isotopic signatures.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Pregnant women's PFAS exposure linked to granddaughters' obesity risk

A new study links pregnant women's PFAS exposure to their granddaughters' increased obesity risk. The research found that higher levels of PFAS in grandmothers were associated with a greater risk of obesity in granddaughters, even when controlling for other factors.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateMar 30, 2020

The placebo effect and psychedelic drugs: tripping on nothing?

A recent study from McGill University suggests that some people may experience psychedelic-like effects from placebos alone, with 61% of participants reporting an effect. The researchers found that context plays a significant role in these experiences, and clinicians may be able to leverage contextual factors to improve the safety of p...

SourceMcGill University·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateMar 30, 2020

Bison in northern Yellowstone proving to be too much of a good thing

A study by Oregon State University scientists found that increasing bison numbers in the park's Lamar Valley are exerting 10 times the environmental pressure of elk, disrupting species distribution and limiting woody plant communities. The findings suggest that the park's ecosystem engineers may be out of balance.

SourceOregon State University·JournalFood Webs·DateMar 30, 2020

Renal denervation effective in patients with untreated hypertension

Patients with untreated high blood pressure experienced statistically significant reductions in average blood pressure over 24 hours following renal denervation. The procedure offered an effective alternative approach to traditional medications, lowering blood pressure throughout the day and early morning periods.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020

Wastewater test could provide early warning of COVID-19

Researchers at Cranfield University are developing a paper-based device to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, allowing for early warning of potential COVID-19 spread. The test uses biomarkers from faeces and urine, enabling rapid screening and quarantine measures to be taken.

SourceCranfield University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 30, 2020

Mystery solved: The origin of the colors in the first color photographs

Researchers at CNRS/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle/Ministère de la Culture have solved the mystery of the world's first colour photographs. They found that colours were due to the presence of metallic silver nanoparticles, which reorganise according to light energy, absorbing all colours except their own.

SourceCNRS·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 30, 2020

Study helps to identify medications which are safe to use in treatment of COVID-19

A study led by King's College London researchers analyzed existing studies on coronavirus strains to determine the safety of pain medications, steroids, and other drugs for patients with COVID-19. The study found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are not evidence against their use in treating COVID-19.

SourceKing's College London·Journalecancermedicalscience·DateMar 30, 2020

TAVR equivalent to surgery at 2 years among low-risk patients

In a two-year follow-up, patients undergoing TAVR showed comparable death, stroke, and rehospitalization rates compared to those who underwent open-heart valve replacement surgery, according to the PARTNER 3 trial. However, TAVR had higher rates of valve thrombosis, highlighting the need for further research on the procedure's durability.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020

NIH-funded studies show stents and surgery no better than medication, lifestyle changes at reducing the risk for heart attack

Two NIH-funded studies find that invasive procedures like stenting and surgery provide better symptom relief but not reduced risk for heart attack and death compared to medication and lifestyle changes. The trials followed over 5,000 patients with stable ischemic heart disease for three years.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 30, 2020

Changing forests

Forests are shifting towards communities that can cope with greater water stress, driven by the death of less hardy trees and the growth of more resilient ones. This adaptation may buffer forests against climate change effects in the short term.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Progress of gender revolution

Despite improved measures of gender equality since 1970, recent decades have seen stalled progress, with some gaps widening. Women now outpace men in higher education and certain occupations, but overall trends suggest a need for cultural and institutional shifts to address remaining disparities.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Position statement highlights importance of sleep for physician self-care

Physician burnout is a significant public safety issue, exacerbated by sleep loss due to shift-work schedules, high workload, and stress. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advocates for improved sleep habits and support among physicians to prevent burnout and promote well-being.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateMar 30, 2020

Projecting the outcomes of people's lives with AI isn't so simple

A mass study collaboration found that AI predictive models are not accurate in predicting life outcomes, particularly in the criminal justice system and social programs. The study used a large dataset of 13,000 data points from over 4,000 families, but even state-of-the-art modeling was not very accurate.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Tiny optical cavity could make quantum networks possible

Researchers at Caltech have successfully created a tiny optical cavity that can store and transmit quantum information, a crucial step towards building a quantum internet. The cavity allows scientists to efficiently collect and detect photons emitted by rare-earth ytterbium ions, enabling the creation of a quantum network.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2020

Rivaroxaban reduces risk in symptomatic PAD post-intervention

People with symptomatic PAD who took rivaroxaban with aspirin after revascularization had a significant reduction in the composite primary endpoint, including acute limb ischemia, major amputation, heart attack, ischemic stroke or cardiovascular death. Rivaroxaban also showed no excess in severe bleeding events.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020

The desire for information: Blissful ignorance or painful truth?

A new scale measures individuals' preferences for obtaining or avoiding information in various areas of life, including personal health and finances. Most people prefer to remain uninformed in certain domains, while others consistently choose to face the truth.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateMar 30, 2020

Cortisol and aging in chimpanzees

Chimpanzee cortisol levels increase with age, blunting natural diurnal rhythm and responding to stressors similarly to humans. Sex differences also emerge, with males exhibiting higher levels than females, particularly when exposed to attractive females.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

APS tip sheet: Untangling neurons with scattered light

Researchers recreated a three-dimensional image of brain connectivity using tissue scattering and biophysical models. The findings enhance scientists' ability to conceptualize the brain's architecture by allowing the creation of high-resolution images of nerve fiber arrangements.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 30, 2020

Risk of death from stroke falls by 24%

The study found that the risk of death from stroke fell by 24% over 15 years, with the one-year death rate decreasing from 32.6% to 20.15%. The risk of disability after a stroke also decreased by 23%, from 34.7% to 26.7%.

SourceNational Institute for Health Research·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 30, 2020

New explanation for sudden heat collapses in plasmas can help create fusion energy

Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory proposed a new theory to explain sawtooth instabilities in plasma, which could lead to more efficient fusion reactions. The theory suggests that localized instabilities can flatten pressure and temperature during the sawtooth cycle, explaining rapid heat collapses.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMar 30, 2020

Chemicals used to replace BPA may lead to increased blood pressure

A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) substitutes can affect fetal development and lead to hypertension in later life. The research, conducted on pregnant rats, suggests that even low-dose exposure to these chemicals can impact blood pressure later in life.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateMar 30, 2020

Modified nucleotides and RNA world

Researchers propose that modified nucleobases could have facilitated the emergence of rudimentary self-replicating systems by stabilizing short RNA molecule structures and providing catalytic activity. This could have increased the breadth of available functions for short RNAs.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Sturgeon genome sequenced

Scientists from University of Würzburg successfully sequenced sturgeon genome, showing genetic material has changed little over 250 million years. The study sheds light on the ancestry of vertebrates and provides important insights for protecting species.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 30, 2020

Study finds room for improvement in TAVR outcomes across US

A study analyzing data from nearly all TAVR patients in the US found that 34 medical centers reported worse-than-expected survival and quality-of-life outcomes among patients undergoing the procedure. The researchers identified key outcomes, including stroke, bleeding, kidney injury, and valve leakage, to assess patient care.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2020

Solving a medical mystery and changing CDC screenings for COVID-19

A medical mystery was solved when a severely ill patient was tested and diagnosed with COVID-19, leading to changes in CDC guidelines. The case highlights the importance of testing and demonstrates that even without clear risk factors or exposure, patients can still be infected.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMar 30, 2020

How stress remodels the brain

Research reveals stress induces structural changes in mice by halting GluA1 protein production, affecting neuron communication. Astrocytes' branch retraction impacts neurotransmitter release and neural function.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMar 30, 2020

Open Access multidisciplinary journal, All Life, launches

All Life is a new open-access journal that will publish multidisciplinary reproducible life science research, focusing on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The journal aims to foster collaboration and information sharing across the life sciences.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAll Life·DateMar 30, 2020

A chemical embrace from the perfect host

Researchers at KAUST have developed a new method to separate xylenes from benzene derivatives using cucurbit[7]uril, requiring no heating or elevated pressure. The process has high efficiency and low energy consumption, making it suitable for industrial implementation.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalChem·DateMar 30, 2020

Research identifies regular climbing behavior in a human ancestor

A new study led by the University of Kent found evidence that human ancestors regularly climbed trees, based on analysis of fossil leg bones. This finding challenges previous assumptions about human evolution and suggests that a hominin species may have adopted highly flexed hip joints to facilitate climbing.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Hidden messages in protein blueprints

Scientists identified a new control mechanism that enables stem cells to adapt their activity in emergency situations by modifying protein blueprints. Alternative polyadenylation regulates the amount of protein produced and controls protein isoform formation, affecting stability and localization.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 30, 2020