Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 30


Page 30 of 37

Therapy dogs may help lower emergency clinicians' stress

Interacting with therapy dogs for several minutes reduces self-reported anxiety and salivary cortisol levels among emergency providers. The study suggests a small benefit in stress reduction after the interaction, but the extent of the benefit is unclear.

SourceWiley·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateApr 8, 2020

Neuropsychological and psychological methods are essential

The collection of articles highlights the importance of neuropsychological and psychological applications in neurorehabilitation, addressing various etiologies and recovery outcomes. Innovative treatment methodologies such as solution-focused brief therapy and holistic milieu-oriented neurorehabilitation are also discussed.

SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·DateApr 8, 2020

New NUI Galway study helps improve accuracy of future climate change predictions

A new study published in Nature's journal Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that adding sea-salt can dampen the effect of clouds becoming brighter, which could impact climate change predictions. The research found that pollution-induced changes to cloud reflectance are a major uncertainty in predicting future climate change.

SourceUniversity of Galway·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·DateApr 8, 2020

Early bedtime may help children maintain healthy weight

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica found that children who go to bed early experience greater weight gain than those who go to bed late. The study of 1,258 Indigenous Australian children aged 6 years revealed consistent early bedtime routines may reduce the risk of overweight or obesity.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateApr 8, 2020

National online education platforms could make STEM degrees more affordable, Russia-based study shows

A Russia-based study found that national online education platforms can significantly lower instruction costs for STEM courses, allowing resource-constrained universities to enroll more students. The study also discovered that blended instruction formats offer the greatest cost savings of 19.2% for one course and 15.4% for another.

Foods high in vitamin D may benefit heart health

A study of over 3,000 adults found that higher vitamin D intake from food sources was associated with lower rates of cardiovascular events, particularly in men. The researchers suggest that increased vitamin D consumption may protect against heart-related problems.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics·DateApr 8, 2020

Innovative technologies for satellites

Researchers at the University of Würzburg and Technical University of Braunschweig have developed two innovative technologies, Skith and Wall#E, to simplify satellite construction. Skith enables wireless control and reduces satellite mass, while Wall#E is a fiber-reinforced structure that stores electrical energy.

New practices improved stroke care

A new triage system using symptom severity and teleconsultation reduced the time to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) from 65 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes in Stockholm region patients. This led to better patient outcomes, with 34% of EVT patients fully recovering their functional ability compared to 24% in the old system.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 7, 2020

Let's do the twist

Researchers designed a polymer that can twist and bend in response to light, mimicking human muscle movement. The polymer's chiral structure changes direction when exposed to different light sources, enabling simultaneous bending and twisting motions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 7, 2020

Study redefines exi'STING' dogma of inflammatory mechanism

Researchers at Monash University have discovered the mechanism behind one of two signalling arms involved in the cGAS-STING pathway. The findings reveal that a closely related TBK1 homologue, IKK-epsilon, plays a crucial role in cytokine production, leading to new understanding of autoimmune diseases and cancer treatment.

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 7, 2020

Protecting the high seas

A team of researchers from the University of California - Santa Barbara used big data and optimization algorithms to identify high-biodiversity hotspots in international waters. These areas could become the first generation of high seas marine protected areas, leveraging new global data assets and tools for conservation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalMarine Policy·DateApr 7, 2020

The evolution of arthritic knees

Researchers found that regulatory switches involved in knee development also play a role in osteoarthritis, a partially heritable disease affecting 250 million people worldwide. The study suggests that subtle modifications in the knee's shape may increase risk of developing osteoarthritis over time.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateApr 7, 2020

Marketing researchers identify the three most powerful drivers of effective crowdfunding

Researchers found that investors' forward-looking strategic behavior, social interactions among individual investors, and their expectations on the crowd's behavior contribute to crowdfunding dynamics. Fundraisers can optimize fundraising goals and crowdfunding platforms can predict successful campaigns by understanding these mechanisms.

Uncovering stimulation's impact on neurons

Takashi Kozai aims to design a coating technology that can control neuron activity using biomolecules. The goal is to establish the relationship between different types of stimulation and their impact on excitability, which could improve BCI technology for rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases.