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Science News Archive January 2020 - Page 7


Page 7 of 40

An ultrafast microscope for the quantum world

Scientists have created a high-speed camera for the quantum world, enabling the precise tracking of electron movements at a resolution of a few hundred attoseconds. This microscope can be used to analyze processes in tiny electronic components and molecules, providing valuable insights for developing faster and more efficient electronics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 29, 2020

Ancient skulls tell new story about our first settlers

The analysis of four ancient skulls from Mexico suggests that early North Americans were more biologically diverse than previously believed, with affinities to various populations including Arctic, European, Asian, and Native American groups. This new finding challenges the previous narrative about the settlement of the Americas.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 29, 2020

Researchers studying motivational aspects of mindfulness find quality differs by situation

A new study finds that mindfulness arises from the interaction between individuals and their situations, rather than being a stable psychological property. The research, which included over 558 participants, reveals three key motivational forces: metacognitive beliefs, mental fatigue, and situational appraisal.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJan 29, 2020

Are you 'at risk' of being a habitual tofu eater?

A genome-wide association study found nine gene locations associated with eating certain foods, including tofu, cheese, and tea. The study identified six genetic variants linked to at least one disease phenotype, including several types of cancer and type-2 diabetes.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJan 29, 2020

Immune responses to tuberculosis mapped across 3 species

A new study maps TB immune responses in diverse models including genetically diverse mice and blood samples from adolescents with TB. The study reveals similarities and differences between human, mouse, and macaque responses, providing valuable insights for developing effective therapies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 29, 2020

Antianxiety and antidepressant effects from a single dose of psychedelic drug persist years later in cancer patients

A long-term follow-up study found that psilocybin therapy significantly improves emotional and existential distress in cancer patients, with sustained benefits lasting nearly five years. The study's results suggest that psilocybin may provide a useful tool for enhancing the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateJan 28, 2020

Helping prevent eco-interventions from backfiring

The research uses detailed ecosystem population data to build models that aid environmental managers in selecting interventions, determining their impact on species populations. The models can be right more than 70% of the time, providing a better outcome than gut feeling or decisions that can't capture ecosystem complexity.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 28, 2020

Studying the geometry of a common skin disease

Hives affect 1 in 5 people, and researchers used a mathematical model to recreate the patterns of hives. The study suggests that certain mechanisms may inhibit histamine release, adding complexity to the disease. The findings will help create a more detailed picture of how the skin disease develops.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 28, 2020

AI could deceive us as much as the human eye does in the search for extraterrestrials

A Spanish neuropsychologist used an artificial neural network to analyze how humans and machines recognize planetary images, revealing that AI can detect shapes that humans miss and vice versa. The results have implications for the search for extraterrestrial life and highlight the need for caution in AI's implementation.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalActa Astronautica·DateJan 28, 2020

Rethinking land conservation to protect species that will need to move with climate change

A new study suggests that accounting for climate change in conservation planning can effectively protect biodiversity, but may come at a higher cost. Researchers analyzed 1,460 species and found that unless climate change impacts are considered, 14% would not have a viable place to live.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJan 28, 2020

A better building block for creating new materials

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a way to synthesize organic 'Legos' that can be easily connected to make new materials. The new method uses electricity to create thin films of 2D sheets stacked in multiple layers, resulting in lightweight and heat-tolerant materials with enhanced properties.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 28, 2020

'Scrambled' cells fix themselves

Researchers at University of Montreal found that human cells scramble their membrane fat to fix holes caused by microbes, preventing cell damage. The discovery identifies a molecule, TMEM16F, that can repair these holes and protect humans from certain diseases.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 28, 2020

Scientists short-circuit maturity in insects, opening new paths to disease prevention

Researchers have found that a hormone required for insect sexual maturity cannot freely pass through the blood-brain barrier unless aided by a protein molecule. This discovery opens up new possibilities for controlling mosquito populations and potentially boosting beneficial bee reproduction. The study's findings also suggest potential...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 28, 2020