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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 490


Page 490 of 512

New roles found for Huntington's disease protein

A new study reveals that neurons in the striatum require the huntingtin gene for regulating movement, maintaining cell health, and developing connections between cells. This discovery may provide a new avenue against Huntington's disease, which affects motor control, dementia, and psychiatric symptoms.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 21, 2020

Less may be more in next-gen batteries

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a mechanism that protects cathodes from degrading in lithium-ion batteries by applying a thin layer of alumina, which also accelerates charging speed. This breakthrough could lead to more stable and efficient batteries for electric cars and grid storage.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateJan 21, 2020

New tool assesses risk of depression in adolescence

Researchers developed a predictive tool to identify adolescents at high risk of depression in young adulthood using data from Brazilian adolescents. The tool demonstrated strong performance in Brazil but weaker results in UK and New Zealand samples due to differences in diagnostic measures, highlighting the need for local adaptation.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJan 21, 2020

Modified plants to curb climate change

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered modified plants capable of absorbing excess carbon dioxide more effectively. The plants' metabolic networks can be modulated to increase CO2 absorption by five times, which could help mitigate global warming.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateJan 21, 2020

Research supports new approach to mine reclamation

Researchers found that geomorphic reclamation, a novel approach mimicking nearby undisturbed lands, outperforms traditional practices in restoring plant diversity and wildlife habitat. The study suggests that this method may be a practical solution for landscape-level restoration in post-mining sites.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateJan 21, 2020

Feeding the world without wrecking the planet is possible

Researchers at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) discovered a way to produce enough food for up to 10 billion people without compromising the Earth system. The study suggests that adopting more sustainable forms of agriculture can increase production in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and improve climate resilience.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJan 21, 2020

University of Miami study explores cognitive function in people with mental illness

A University of Miami study has found that the profiles of genes influencing cognition are similar across people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the general population. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for improving cognitive function in patients with severe mental illness.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateJan 21, 2020

New self-assembled monolayer is resistant to air

Scientists at the University of Groningen have created a new self-assembled monolayer using buckyballs functionalized with ethylene glycol, which remains chemically unchanged for several weeks when exposed to air. This makes it easier to use in research and devices, and could lead to breakthroughs in molecular electronics.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 21, 2020

How human social structures emerge

Researchers developed mathematical models to understand what conditions produced traditional community structures and conventions around the world. Simulated family groups with shared traits naturally grouped together into distinct cultural groups, leading to the emergence of incest taboos and direct or generalized exchange kinship str...

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2020

Setting fires to avoid fires

To tackle massive wood fuel accumulations, California needs significant fuel treatments, including prescribed burns or vegetation thinning. The researchers propose solutions to overcome barriers, such as a risk-averse culture, limited finances, and complex regulations.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJan 20, 2020

The salt of the comet

Researchers have discovered traces of five different ammonium salts on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, shedding light on the presence of nitrogen on comets and its potential link to the emergence of life on Earth. The study found high concentrations of ammonia in the form of these salts.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 20, 2020

A cautionary tale about measuring racial bias in policing

Two Princeton professors critique a study on racial bias in policing, pointing out that it ignored crucial factors like encounter rates and didn't account for all police-civilian interactions. The researchers' conclusions hinge on an assumption that black and white officers encounter black and white civilians equally.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2020

Belly fat linked with repeat heart attacks

A large study of over 22,000 patients after a first heart attack found that abdominal obesity is independently associated with fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and strokes. Waist circumference was a stronger marker of recurrent events than overall obesity in men, while women had a U-shaped relationship between waist circumference and ...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJan 20, 2020

Dialing up the heat on nanoparticles

Metallic nanotechnology is advancing rapidly, with applications in renewable energy harvesting, cancer treatment, and climate solutions. On-command drug delivery and photothermal therapy are promising areas of research, showing promising results in animal trials.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJan 20, 2020