Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2020 - Page 39


Page 39 of 40

Atlantic and Pacific oscillations lost in the noise

A team of meteorologists found no consistent evidence for decadal oscillatory signals in global surface temperature observations. The researchers suggest that any apparent oscillation may be due to external influences like greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions. The study has implications for decade-scale climate predictability.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2020

Versatile bile acids

Two Harvard Medical School studies show that bile acids promote differentiation and activity of T cells involved in regulating inflammation. Gut microbes convert bile acids into immune-signaling molecules that activate regulatory T cells and effector helper T cells. The work suggests possible therapeutic pathways for modulating intesti...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJan 3, 2020

Hearing through lip-reading

Researchers found that brain activity in healthy adults synchronized with sound waves produced by a silent woman speaking, indicating the brain can process auditory information from visual cues. This ability arises from visual cortex activity synchronizing with lip movement and signal transmission to other areas for sound synthesis.

Researchers identify starting point for designing drugs that cure Clostridium difficile

Scientists combined advanced molecular imaging techniques to characterize and understand how Clostridium difficile toxins work, providing a new target for effective treatment of the most dangerous strains. The study's findings will guide the design of drugs targeting C. difficile infections.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2020

Innovation is widespread in rural areas, not just cities

A new study at Penn State found that incremental improvements made by businesses outside of their firm are crucial for economic growth and employment. The 'latent' innovation index assigns scores to counties based on opportunities for improvement, showing that rural areas can foster innovation too.

SourcePenn State·JournalResearch Policy·DateJan 2, 2020

HIV patients lose smallpox immunity despite childhood vaccine, AIDS drugs

A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women who received a childhood smallpox vaccine still retained some immunity to the virus, despite receiving antiretroviral therapy. This limited response suggests that while HIV treatment can boost overall immune function, it may not restore specific memor...

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 2, 2020

Math test score gap between white and non-white students in Brazil due to complex factors

A Brazilian study analyzed math test scores for 9th-grade students, revealing that performance gaps between different racial groups can largely be attributed to socio-economic factors. However, for high-scoring students, structural factors like discrimination and stereotypes play a greater role in perpetuating the gap.

Climate signals detected in global weather

A group of scientists has conducted a new analysis that concludes the 'weather-is-not-climate' paradigm is no longer applicable. They found that daily weather data can reveal long-term warming trends, provided global spatial patterns are considered.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 2, 2020

Climate change and deforestation could decimate Madagascar's rainforest habitat by 2070

A study in Nature Climate Change predicts Madagascar's entire eastern rainforest habitat will be eliminated by 2070 unless strict protections are implemented. The research identifies priority areas for protection, highlighting the critical role of ruffed lemurs as seed dispersers and their sensitivity to habitat degradation.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 2, 2020

Craft-beer boom linked to record-number of US states growing hops

A study by Penn State researchers found that the growth of craft breweries in the US is linked to an unprecedented expansion of hop production across 29 states. The number of breweries more than quadrupled from 992 to over 4,000 between 2007 and 2017, resulting in a five-fold increase in hop farms and acreage.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Wine Economics·DateJan 2, 2020

Rhythmicity of cluster headache

A study found that cluster headache attacks exhibit a dynamic circadian and seasonal pattern, with changes in the attack timing throughout the disease course. Patients with more lifetime bouts showed a less variable pattern compared to those without circadian rhythmicity.

SourceInternational Headache Society·JournalCephalalgia·DateJan 2, 2020

Snake-like proteins can wrangle DNA

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a novel mechanism by which snake-like proteins, known as coiled coils, interact with DNA to form loops that regulate genetic messages. These loops are formed through a braiding process, where the coiled coils writhe and twist around each other, bringing together sites on DNA.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2020

Bystander CPR less likely for people living in Hispanic neighborhoods

A study by Penn Medicine found that residents of Hispanic neighborhoods are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander and have a lower chance of survival following cardiac arrest. The study analyzed over 27,000 cardiac arrest events and showed a significant disparity in CPR delivery rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic neighborhoods.