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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 16


Page 16 of 37

Coffee changes our sense of taste

A study published in Foods found that coffee makes people more sensitive to sweetness and less sensitive to bitterness. The researchers suggest that the bitter compounds in coffee may be responsible for this effect. This discovery could have implications for our understanding of how we regulate sugar consumption.

SourceAarhus University·JournalFoods·DateApr 21, 2020

What helps couples weather financial storms

Research by Ashley LeBaron found that couples who prioritize relationship maintenance behaviors during financial stress tend to have stronger relationships. These behaviors include respecting each other, being present, and showing love and affection. Receiving support from family and friends also plays a crucial role.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Family and Economic Issues·DateApr 21, 2020

High-performance electrolyte solves battery puzzle

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new electrolyte that forms a protective layer on silicon anodes, stabilizing their structure and preventing degradation. This breakthrough enables the use of micro-sized alloy anodes, significantly enhancing energy density and paving the way for high-energy batteries.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 21, 2020

ASU scientists lead study of galaxy's 'water worlds'

A team of international researchers has provided a mineralogy lab study for water-rich exoplanets, revealing an unexpected new solid phase with silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The findings suggest that the distinction between water and rock layers in these planets may be 'fuzzy' at high pressure and temperature.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 21, 2020

Early exposure to cannabis boosts young brains' sensitivity to cocaine, rodent study finds

A Columbia-led study found that early exposure to cannabis makes young brains more sensitive to cocaine, shedding light on the neurobiology of drug use in adolescence. The research revealed key molecular and epigenetic changes in adolescent rats' brains after synthetic psychoactive cannabinoids were followed by cocaine.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2020

Cochrane Review confirms effectiveness of MMR vaccines

A Cochrane Review confirms the effectiveness of MMR vaccines in preventing infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. The review found that one dose of vaccine was 95% effective in preventing measles and 89% effective in preventing rubella, with no association between the vaccines and autism or other conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateApr 20, 2020

What's old is new again

A new strategy to overcome drug resistance in leukemia uses targeted doses of doxorubicin, inhibiting molecular pathways that promote tumor growth and resistance. Low-dose doxorubicin also stimulates the immune system, clearing the way for cancer-targeting immune cells to act.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 20, 2020

Study finds male-female cardiac repair differences in heart failure survival post-MI

A University of South Florida-led mouse cardiac healing study reveals faster heart repair and improved survival in female mice compared to males after a heart attack. The research suggests that sex-specific therapies may be more effective in managing heart failure, with potential applications for delayed or prevented cardiac inflammation.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 20, 2020

How reptiles adapted to marine life

Researchers analyzed 18 extinct reptile species and 14 modern relatives, finding similarities in the vestibular system of open-ocean swimmers, including cetaceans. The study suggests that distinct evolutionary routes resulted in similar adaptations for different types of terrestrial animals transitioning to marine environments.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2020

Engineering honor For Lashanda Korley

LaShanda Korley, a renowned materials scientist at the University of Delaware, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Her work focuses on developing bio-inspired materials with applications in healthcare, sensing, and soft robotics.

Why relying on new technology won't save the planet

Researchers argue that relying on new technologies to address climate change is delaying action, enabling a cycle of 'prevarication' and inadequate policies. The study maps five phases of climate targets, highlighting how technological promises have downplayed urgency and undermined societal commitment.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 20, 2020

One-third of primary care physicians do not support the use of medications for treating opioid use disorders

A survey of primary care physicians found that one-third did not support the use of medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), despite conclusive evidence. The researchers urge policy changes to increase the acceptance of and willingness to prescribe medications for OUD among primary care physicians.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 20, 2020