Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive February 2020 - Page 28


Page 28 of 40

Heroin use in US

A recent study examined changes in heroin use and addiction among US adults over 16 years. Heroin use disorder increased significantly between 2002 and 2018, affecting approximately 800,000 adults in the country.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 11, 2020

Review of evidence finds excessive smartphone, social media use may be linked to youth mental health

A new review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests an association between excessive smartphone and social media use and mental distress among adolescents. The authors provide guidance for physicians, parents, and teachers on how to help teens achieve a healthy balance between device use and other aspects of their lives.

'Women my age tend to drink -- it's normal'

Research found that middle-aged and young-old women tend to consume alcohol at levels exceeding low-risk guidelines. They prioritize appearing respectable and in control over the quantity of alcohol consumed. Health advice needs to acknowledge that women may socially construct their drinking practices to focus on non-biomedical impacts.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalSociology of Health & Illness·DateFeb 10, 2020

New repair mechanism for DNA breaks

Researchers at the University of Seville have identified new factors necessary for repairing chromosomal breaks that can cause cell death. The discovery involves proteins modifying histones, which are essential for chromosome structure and cohesion.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020

New world map of fish genetic diversity

A global distribution map of fish genetic diversity has been created, revealing uneven distribution across marine and freshwater species. Temperature plays a key role in shaping genetic diversity among marine fish, while habitat complexity and changes over time are crucial for freshwater species.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020

Tropical cyclones: How they contribute to better forecast in the Maritime Continent

A new study reveals that tropical cyclones can create drying effects in the Maritime Continent due to induced zonal wind anomalies. Observational data shows that these events decrease precipitations in the region not directly affected by typhoons, highlighting their role in regional climate patterns.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy connected to elevated risk of ADHD

A study found a significant association between low maternal vitamin D levels during early to mid-pregnancy and an increased risk of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The research used the Finnish Maternity Cohort, which included 1,067 children with ADHD and their matched controls.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 10, 2020

Acid-loving microbe can improve understanding of past climate

Researchers from Dartmouth College used an acid-loving microbe to improve the accuracy of past climate records by studying its response to food and energy availability. The findings suggest that factors other than temperature can influence the membranes of single-celled archaea, adding complexity to paleoclimate studies.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateFeb 10, 2020