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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 493


Page 493 of 512

Study finds disparity in critical care deaths between non-minority and minority hospitals

A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found a significant disparity in critical care deaths between non-minority and minority hospitals. Critically ill African American patients were more likely to experience poorer outcomes, with nearly a third treated at only 14 hospitals.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 17, 2020

'Melting rock' models predict mechanical origins of earthquakes

Engineers at Duke University have developed a model predicting mechanical behaviors and origins of earthquakes in various rocks, providing insights into unobservable phenomena deep beneath the Earth's surface. The model accurately reproduces how friction decreases as rock speed increases, shedding light on earthquake mechanisms.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2020

Judges deny abortion care to teens

A new CU Boulder-led study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that judges deny minors' abortion requests with impunity, potentially due to personal political biases. The study analyzed data from Texas over 18 years and found that judges denied cases by up to 13%.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 16, 2020

Machine learning greatly reduces uncertainty in understanding of paleozoic biodiversity

Researchers developed a novel machine learning procedure that resolved Paleozoic biodiversity to within 26,000 years, clarifying diversification and extinction events. The improved resolution revealed new aspects of Paleozoic biodiversity and showed a correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and paleobiodiversity change.

How decisions unfold in a zebrafish brain

Researchers successfully tracked brain activity of zebrafish larvae to predict decisions, revealing a major role for the cerebellum in cognitive functions. The study used light field microscopy to track neuronal activity and identified specific patterns that predicted correct or incorrect turns.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateJan 16, 2020

Menthol ban could increase health equity

A new study by University of Kentucky researchers suggests that banning menthol-flavored tobacco products could help address disparities in public health. The study found that policies restricting flavored tobacco products but not menthol flavors disproportionately affect African American communities.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalHealth Promotion Practice·DateJan 16, 2020

Breakthrough on curbing dengue

Scientists have engineered mosquitoes that can't spread all four types of the dengue virus, a major breakthrough in controlling the disease. This development has the potential to limit human suffering and mortality from dengue, which affects over 390 million people annually.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 16, 2020

Virtual physical therapy after knee replacement brings similar outcomes, lower costs

A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that virtual physical therapy after knee replacement surgery is safe and effective, with similar outcomes to traditional in-person PT. Virtual PT also resulted in lower healthcare costs, with patients completing more exercises and having fewer hospital readmissions.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateJan 16, 2020

Organized cybercrime -- not your average mafia

Researchers identified common attributes of cybercrime networks, revealing how they function and work together. These networks are composed of hackers coming together due to shared functional skills, often collaborating to cause greater disruption.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology·DateJan 16, 2020

Math that feels good

Researchers have developed a method to create Braille math textbooks using an authoring system and enhancements to standard methods. The new process enables mass production of affordable Braille textbooks, making mathematics more accessible to visually impaired students.

Making sense of the self

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that the insular cortex plays a crucial role in assessing and predicting physiological states. The study's findings provide potential new avenues for addressing diseases such as eating disorders, obesity, and drug addiction by targeting the brain's reward system.