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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 428


Page 428 of 512

High-tech contact lenses correct color blindness

Scientists have created ultra-thin optical devices known as metasurfaces integrated into off-the-shelf contact lenses to correct deuteranomaly, a form of red-green color blindness. The new customizable contact lens can restore lost color contrast and improve color perception up to a factor of 10.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 4, 2020

'It's like you have a hand again': An ultra-precise mind-controlled prosthetic

University of Michigan researchers create a way to tame temperamental nerve endings, separate thick nerve bundles into smaller fibers, and amplify signals to enable precise control. The approach involves tiny muscle grafts and machine learning algorithms, allowing for intuitive prosthetic control with no learning required.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 4, 2020

Almost alien: Antarctic subglacial lakes are cold, dark and full of secrets

The Whillans Subglacial Lake, located in West Antarctica, contains a pool of dissolved organic carbon that can be produced in 4.8 to 11.9 years. This nutrient-rich environment provides essential energy and sources for life in the ice-covered regions of the Southern Ocean.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateMar 4, 2020

Diversity semantics shift higher ed inclusivity away from students of color

A study by University of Colorado Denver found that affirmative action's legal semantics have redefined diversity priorities to benefit white students. This shift is reflected in initiatives like 'Inclusive Excellence,' which treats students of color as responsible for diversity, rather than promoting true inclusivity.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalRace Ethnicity and Education·DateMar 4, 2020

Reducing problem behaviors for children with autism

A University of Missouri researcher has created a new approach to reducing problem behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. The flexible intervention technique emphasizes momentary check-ins, allowing parents and caregivers more flexibility to implement the strategy. This can help minimize self-inflicted harm and social sti...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCurrent Developmental Disorders Reports·DateMar 4, 2020

Testing with combined biopsy method improves prostate cancer diagnosis in NIH study

A new testing method combining systematic biopsy with MRI-targeted biopsy leads to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients. The study found that combined biopsy provided more accurate diagnoses than MRI-targeted biopsies alone, reducing the risk of overtreatment and undertreatment.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2020

Study examines potential link between partner bereavement and skin cancer

A recent study funded by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found a potential link between partner bereavement and skin cancer. Researchers discovered that individuals who experienced the loss of a partner had a decreased risk of being diagnosed with melanoma, but an increased risk of dying after diagnosis.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateMar 4, 2020

Sensitivity to low flow

A new method helps scientists determine how vulnerable rivers are to drought conditions by analyzing streamflow data, identifying faster and slower components of runoff and their impact on river sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateMar 4, 2020

A joint venture at the nanoscale

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory fabricate and test a superconducting nanowire device capable of detecting low-energy photons and operating in extreme magnetic fields. The device, made from niobium nitride, operates near absolute zero and has the potential to revolutionize nuclear physics experiments.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment·DateMar 3, 2020

Red panda population genomics confirms two phylogenetic species and different evolutionary histories

Genomic analysis confirms two distinct phylogenetic species in red pandas, with different evolutionary histories and geographical distributions. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect this endangered species, including pedigree construction and interbreeding avoidance for captive individuals.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 3, 2020

Five-year survival improves for certain cancers in adolescent and young adults

A recent study has found that the five-year survival rate for adolescents and young adults with certain types of cancer has improved substantially over the past three decades. Leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma have seen significant declines in mortality rates, with improvements ranging from 20-30 percentage points between 1975 and 2005.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 3, 2020

New telescope observations shed new light on black hole ejections

A team tracked a black hole's ejecting material using e-MERLIN and other telescopes over months, gaining insight into how black holes feed energy into their environment. The observations revealed ejections moving at near-light speed, with implications for understanding the role of black holes in galaxy growth.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 3, 2020

Study homes in on possible cause of sudden cardiac deaths

Researchers identified a protein and signaling pathway that may contribute to sudden cardiac deaths in patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The study found that loss of integrin β1D prevents proper calcium control, leading to arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalCirculation·DateMar 3, 2020

Manipulating atoms to make better superconductors

Scientists have successfully manipulated individual atoms to exhibit collective behavior, a crucial step towards creating room-temperature superconductors. The study uses atomic manipulation to place cobalt atoms on copper surfaces in a perfectly ordered pattern, demonstrating the potential for higher temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2020

US health care spending by payer, health conditions

This study estimated annual health care spending in the US by payer and health condition, including low back pain, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. The analysis revealed significant variations in spending across different payers and health conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 3, 2020

The IKBFU scientists created the first diamond x-ray micro lens

The IKBFU scientists have developed a new method for producing diamond x-ray micro lenses, which can withstand high temperatures and radiation loads. The lenses are made using an electron-ion microscope and have exceeded expectations, enabling the study of nanostructures and protein crystals with greater detail.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalOptics Express·DateMar 3, 2020

New approach to combat opioid crisis in rural Tennessee

The University of Tennessee Extension is launching a new effort to address the opioid crisis in rural Tennessee through the PROMPT TN program. The project aims to develop opioid-specific resources and train community members to prevent addiction, focusing on underlying causes and risk factors.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture·DateMar 3, 2020

Starve a tumor, feed a cell: How cancers can resist drugs

Researchers at University of California, Irvine discovered that cancer cells use a process called macropinocytosis to obtain nutrients from dead cell material within tumors. This mechanism enables tumor cells to resist chemotherapy and other treatments, making it a promising target for new therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2020

How our brains create breathing rhythm is unique to every breath

Researchers found that brain cells generate a 'new song' with the same beat for each breath, adapting to changing rhythms throughout the day. The discovery could lead to new approaches to treating breathing disorders and may even help combat opioid-related deaths.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNeuron·DateMar 3, 2020

Dragonflies are efficient predators

A study by the University of Turku found that four damselfly species can catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer, with chironomids being their favorite food. This has significant implications for understanding natural food web functions and the impact of predation on insect populations.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateMar 3, 2020

Changing the debate around obesity

A leading health psychologist argues that negative attitudes towards weight gain affect patient treatment quality. Research shows that obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes, and using positive language can help promote understanding.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMar 3, 2020

Study explores sexual harassment at AADR conferences

A new AADR survey found that 79% of respondents did not experience sexual harassment at conferences, but women and frequent attendees were more likely to report incidents. The majority of reported harassment was of a non-sexual nature, such as put-downs or condescension.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateMar 3, 2020

We can make predictions about relationships - but is this necessary?

German and Canadian psychologists have developed a predictive model for relationship longevity, identifying key features that indicate a successful or unsuccessful partnership. Couples who start with similar needs and maintain individual independence tend to stay together longest, while those with differing happiness levels are more li...

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateMar 3, 2020

Cancer survival rates improve for young adults

A new study found improvements in five-year survival rates for all cancers in young adults, with some cancer types showing little to no improvement since the 1970s. Treatment advances have led to steady improvements in estimated survival rates among adolescents and young adults.

SourceOxford University Press USA·DateMar 3, 2020

New tiny 44-million-year-old bird fossil links Africa and Asia to Utah

A new species of quail-sized fossil bird from 44 million year old sediments in Utah has strong links with other extinct species from Namibia and Uzbekistan. The fossil fills a nearly 15 million-year gap in the galliform lineage in North America, revealing flexibility in the ecology and diet of early paraortygid birds.

SourceMidwestern University·JournalDiversity·DateMar 3, 2020

Caesarean birth has little impact on children developing allergies

A new study led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that caesarean delivery had a small link to asthma but no association with eczema or lung function. The research suggests parents need not worry about caesarean birth impacting their child's risk of allergies.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateMar 3, 2020

Plasma-driven biocatalysis

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a process to protect enzymes from plasma treatment, allowing for stable biocatalytic reactions with precise hydrogen peroxide dosing. This method improves the efficiency of traditional enzyme catalysis by reducing energy consumption and waste.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemSusChem·DateMar 3, 2020

Obesity promotes virulence of influenza

A new study finds that obesity promotes the virulence of the influenza virus by impairing interferon defense responses and allowing for viral diversity. This correlation may explain why yearly influenza vaccines are needed, as obese individuals shed more virus and have delayed antiviral responses.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateMar 3, 2020

Anti-evolution drug could stop antibiotic resistance

Researchers discovered 46 drugs that block bacterial competence, preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance in mice and human lung cells. These 'anti-evolution drugs' could be combined with antibiotics to extend their lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMar 3, 2020

Men can smell when a woman is sexually aroused

Researchers at University of Kent found that men can detect the scent of axillary sweat from sexually aroused women, which increases their sexual motivation. The study suggests that chemical signals released by women can elicit a stronger overall signal that enhances human communication.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateMar 3, 2020

Two complete genome sequence for coronavirus in Brazil were published

Researchers at the University of São Paulo, Adolfo Lutz Institute, and Oxford University have published the complete genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil. The study reveals differences between the genomes of viruses isolated from two Brazilian patients, suggesting internal transmission is occurring in European countries.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·DateMar 3, 2020

New model shows winners, losers among marine microbes in warming oceans

A new tool forecasts how marine microbes will adapt to warming seas, revealing two strategies: rapid short-term success and long-term evolution. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems and their role in regulating carbon cycles.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2020

SFU team helps discover potential superbug-killing compound

Researchers discover potential superbug-killing compound AB569 that targets priority pathogens and additional bacteria causing foodborne illness. The compound has shown promising results in treating a wide range of infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2020

Scientists created an 'impossible' superconducting compound

Researchers at Skoltech and Jilin University created superconducting compounds of hydrogen and praseodymium, overcoming the challenge of low-temperature superconductors. The new compounds exhibit zero electrical resistance at -264 °C, paving the way for high-temperature superconductors.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 3, 2020

How do you make adhesives for electronics, vehicles, and construction tougher?

Purdue University researchers have developed a new adhesive system that uses sacrificial bonds to make materials more resistant to stress and cracking. The technique, inspired by nature's adhesives in sea creatures, may be applied to various industries such as electronics, vehicles, and construction.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 3, 2020

Team sheds new light on design of inorganic materials for brain-like computing

Researchers have discovered a neuron-like electrical switching mechanism in solid-state material β'-CuxV2O5, enabling the creation of circuitry that functions like the human brain. The team's findings showcase the potential for neuromorphic computing to improve energy efficiency and address global computing demands.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalMatter·DateMar 3, 2020