Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2020 - Page 451


Page 451 of 512

Mediterranean rainfall immediately affected by greenhouse gas changes

New research reveals that Mediterranean-type climates experience rapid decreases in rainfall when greenhouse gases rise, impacting water resources. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions can interrupt these effects, benefiting regions reliant on winter rainfall.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Vaccine misinformation and social media

A study found that people exposed to vaccine content on social media were more likely to be misinformed about vaccines than those exposed to it on traditional media. Up to 20% of respondents were at least somewhat misinformed, with common claims including the link between vaccines and autism.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·DateFeb 17, 2020

New VA/DoD guidelines address sleep-related issues in military personnel, veterans

The U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have jointly issued new guidelines for assessment and treatment of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea in military personnel and veterans. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the recommended treatment, while positive airway pressure therapy is suggested for sleep apnea.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2020

How countries respond to weather change

A two-degree Centigrade increase in global average temperature could lead to catastrophic consequences for the planet. The study found that countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia face major deviations from precipitation norms, with southern areas expected to experience more frequent droughts and heatwaves.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·DateFeb 17, 2020

Saliva can be used to predict excess body fat in teenagers

Brazilian researchers found a correlation between salivary uric acid levels and body fat percentages in teenagers, suggesting a reliable biomarker for early detection of chronic diseases. The study identified the level of uric acid in saliva as a good predictor of body fat percentage.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNutrition Research·DateFeb 17, 2020

Visualizing diffusive dynamics beyond tracking limit with standard optical microscope

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new approach to detect crystallization signs without fluorescent labeling or tracking. They used particle image diffusometry to analyze microscopy movie data, revealing the collective motion of molecular clusters before nucleation.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateFeb 17, 2020

Genes from scratch -- far more common and important than we thought

Researchers found that around one-third of orphan genes result from divergence, suggesting de novo emergence is more frequent than thought. Emerging genes carry potential to be important, as artificially expressed sequences showed increased growth rates in baker's yeast cells.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 17, 2020

Reconstructing the diet of fossil vertebrates

Scientists have developed a new method using zinc isotope analysis to determine the diet of fossil vertebrates. The study found that the ratio of special zinc isotopes in dental enamel can identify whether an animal was a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Crops provide chimpanzees with more energy than wild foods

A University of Kent study found that cultivated foods offer chimpanzees in West Africa more energetic benefits than wild foods. The research suggests that nutritionally dense crops provide primates with essential nutrients for survival.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalAmerican Journal of Primatology·DateFeb 17, 2020

New technique allows scientists to 'listen in' on cancer cells

Scientists have developed a new technique to analyze signaling molecules in individual cancer cells, revealing complex communication networks that contribute to tumor growth and treatment resistance. The technique, tested on bowel cancer cells, detected 28 key signaling molecules across six cell types in over 1 million cells.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 17, 2020

Sitting more is associated with higher heart disease risk in older women

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that longer sitting times were associated with higher levels of heart disease risk among overweight and obese post-menopausal women. The study revealed a strong negative link between sitting time and insulin resistance, particularly among Hispanic women.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 17, 2020

Pancreatic cancer 'time machine' exposes plot twist in cell growth and invasion

Researchers developed a pancreatic tumor model that condenses cancer development to just two weeks, allowing them to observe trends in cell growth and invasion. The study found that cancer cells from different mutations become more invasive when they grow together, which challenges the current understanding of disease progression.

SourcePurdue University·JournalSmall·DateFeb 17, 2020

Earth's glacial cycles enhanced by Antarctic sea-ice

A study published in PNAS reveals that Antarctic sea-ice played a crucial role in past climate transitions, storing extra carbon in the deep ocean and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. Sea ice formation increases storage of carbon in the deep ocean, leading to a 30 ppm drawdown of atmospheric CO2.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Do the climate effects of air pollution impact the global economy?

Research by Carnegie Institution scientists suggests that aerosol pollution can delay climate change effects, benefiting tropical countries but harming high-latitude developed nations. The cooling effect outweighs its limited economic benefits, with public health concerns taking precedence.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 17, 2020

Freshwater insects recover while spiders decline in UK

A comprehensive analysis of UK biodiversity over 45 years reveals concerning declines in terrestrial non-insect invertebrates, but strong recoveries in freshwater insects. Overall occupancy of invertebrates increased by 11%, with freshwater insects surpassing 1970 levels after a 47% decline.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 17, 2020

BPA substitute and endocrine disruption

A study found that bisphenol S, a BPA substitute, causes changes in gene expression and neurotransmitter levels in the mouse placenta, similar to BPA. The findings suggest that BPS may be toxic to humans, despite some differences in human and mouse placentas

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

New UCL technology analyses single cancer cells in lab grown tumours

Researchers at UCL have developed a new mass spectrometry platform to measure communication signals in millions of single cells from bowel cancer mini-tumours. This breakthrough enables the study of how cancer cells interact with healthy cells and the immune system, leading to new personalized cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 17, 2020

Nanolaminate-based design for UV laser mirror coating

Scientists propose a new design that replaces traditional high-n materials with tunable nanolaminate layers to achieve improved performance parameters. The new coating enables larger bandwidth, higher LIDT, and smaller transmission ripples compared to traditional designs.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateFeb 17, 2020

Maternal age and offspring reproductive success

Female marmot offspring born to older mothers exhibit greater annual and lifetime reproductive success compared to those born to younger mothers. In contrast, low-elevation environments exacerbate the decline in reproductive success of female offspring born to older mothers.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

First glimpse of body's 'steering wheel' joint sparks hope

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the subtalar joint, revealing its mechanics and potential for improved design of joint replacements. The study used standing CT scans and digital volume correlation to analyze the joint's motion under full weight-bearing.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 17, 2020

Extreme weather could bring next recession

A new study from UC Davis warns that extreme weather risk is too often ignored in financial markets, putting investors at risk of severe losses. The research highlights the need for better climate risk assessment and pricing to mitigate potential economic consequences.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Energy·DateFeb 17, 2020

Memory games: Eating well to remember

A study of 139,000 older Australians found strong links between certain food groups, such as fruit, vegetables, and protein-rich foods, and reduced memory loss and comorbid heart disease. Age-specific dietary guidelines may be necessary to prevent cognitive impairment in older populations.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 17, 2020

Potential drug against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers developed AB569, a combination of acidified nitrite and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which killed Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The agent was found to be nontoxic to human cells at bactericidal concentrations, suggesting a potential therapeutic agent for ...

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Dimethyl sulfide oxidation in marine atmosphere

Scientists found that at least 30% of oceanic dimethyl sulfide is transformed into hydroperoxymethyl thioformate (HPMTF), a previously unknown atmospheric compound. This discovery suggests reevaluation of marine sulfur's impact on cloud formation and climate.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Tumor of the touch cells: A first-of-its-kind study in India

Researchers identified Merkel cell polyomavirus in 7 out of 18 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer. The study suggests that most MCC cases in India are likely caused by UV-linked damages, while some may be virus-positive, offering new targets for therapy and diagnosis.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalMicrobial Pathogenesis·DateFeb 17, 2020

The dinosaur in the cupboard under the stairs

Researchers discovered that the dinosaur footprints on a cave ceiling were made by two plant-eating dinosaurs that walked bipedally along an ancient lake shore. The discovery was made possible by access to high-resolution photographs and detailed notebooks of the tracks, which had been stored in a Sydney cupboard under the stairs.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalHistorical Biology·DateFeb 16, 2020

Our digital afterlife

Social media pages can become memorials when someone dies, but digital ownership and access are unclear. Faheem Hussain explores these issues in his research, highlighting the need for global solutions to ensure data management is inclusive and secure.

SourceArizona State University·DateFeb 16, 2020

Environmental solutions to go global

A new Australian technology developed by Flinders University and Clean Earth Technologies can absorb pollutants, including mercury and oil spills. The solution uses a polymer made from sulfur and plant oil to capture toxic substances in water, reducing environmental harm.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAdvanced Sustainable Systems·DateFeb 16, 2020

HPV vaccine hesitancy in Japan could result in 5,000 additional death

A study found that HPV vaccination rates dropped significantly after the government's suspension of proactive recommendations, leading to potential 5,000 additional deaths. Restoring high-level political support and proactive recommendations could prevent most of this damage.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 16, 2020

Immunity key to motor neurone disease treatment

Researchers at University of Queensland found certain immune cells linked to distinct MND features, including impaired swallowing, speech, and breathing. The study suggests immune-blocking drugs could be personalized to treat each patient's unique disease symptoms and stages.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalBrain Communications·DateFeb 16, 2020

Old Irish 'clachan' found in South Australia

A team of archaeologists has discovered the oldest known Australian example of a communal type of Irish settlement, uncovering a large and vibrant clachan settlement hidden beneath an empty farm paddock. The discovery highlights the sustainable way of life maintained by over 500 Irish migrants who created a community in marginal land.

SourceFlinders University·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2020

Climate change is not the only threat for our plants

A recent study published in PNAS found that fires have a significant impact on plant survival and distribution, often exceeding the effects of climate change. The research highlights the importance of considering other environmental factors, such as human land use practices, in understanding biodiversity.

SourceStockholm University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2020

The verdict is in: Courtrooms seldom overrule bad science

A new study found that only 40% of psychological assessment tools used in courts are favorably rated by experts. Lawyers rarely challenge these conclusions, and when they do, only one-third succeed. The study examined over 360 tools and 372 legal cases across the US.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateFeb 15, 2020

Factories reimagined

Future factories will require new skills and organizational structures that prioritize human collaboration with robots. Research explores the psychological effects of working alongside large industrial robots and developing tools to enhance robot design.

SourceEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre·DateFeb 15, 2020

Cancer immunotherapy target helps fight solid tumors

Researchers have engineered immune cells to target solid tumors using a new cancer immunotherapies approach. They found that T cells can be reprogrammed to turn on tumor cells when exposed to high concentrations of transforming growth factor beta, a protein that suppresses the activity of T cells in the tumor environment.

SourceBiophysical Society·DateFeb 15, 2020

The paradox of dormancy: Why sleep when you can eat?

Researchers discovered that dormancy is a natural response to over-predation, allowing zooplankton to survive during food scarcity. Laying dormant eggs can aid population recovery, while regular eggs may not.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalAdvanced Science·DateFeb 15, 2020