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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 20


Page 20 of 47

New diagnostic test for heart failure patients could also help COVID-19 patients

A new diagnostic test for heart failure patients has been found to also predict COVID-19 patient outcomes, highlighting the connection between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19. The test measures a balance of beneficial and harmful peptides in the blood, suggesting that targeting this pathway could improve treatment for both conditions.

A look inside a battery

Scientists at Oldenburg University have developed a new technique to observe chemical processes during battery operation. The team used scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to track changes on the lithium anode's surface, revealing how dendrites form and limit durability.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalChemElectroChem·DateJul 20, 2020

Native bushland's fertility secret

New research highlights the importance of soil biological health and organic farm inputs for crop production in Australia. The study found that native vegetation acts as a reservoir for beneficial actinobacteria, which can enrich adjoining agricultural soils.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry·DateJul 20, 2020

Cheese making relies on milk proteins to form structure

A recent study in the Journal of Dairy Science reveals that milk protein composition plays a crucial role in cheese production. The researchers found that non-coagulating milk has higher concentrations of certain proteins, leading to lower cheese yields and economic impacts.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJul 20, 2020

MRI scans of the brains of 130 mammals, including humans, indicate equal connectivity

A groundbreaking study using MRI scans of 130 mammalian brains found that brain connectivity levels are equal in all species, including humans. The research revealed a universal law: Conservation of Brain Connectivity, which suggests that the efficiency of information transfer in the brain's neural network is the same across mammals.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 20, 2020

Legal marijuana may be slowing reductions in teen marijuana use, study says

A new study from the University of Washington found that teens may be more likely to use marijuana following legalization due to increased adult use and store proliferation. The study's lead author notes that early use during adolescence can have negative health consequences, making it concerning that teen use may be going up.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJul 20, 2020

Bisexual orientation in men

A study of over 500 men found a U-shaped function in genital and self-reported arousal to erotic stimuli, suggesting a continuum of male sexual orientations. Bisexual-identifying men exhibited smaller differences in arousal between male and female stimuli compared to heterosexual and homosexual men.

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

New research reveals how hurricane Lane brought fire and rain to Hawaiian islands

A recent study reveals that Hurricane Lane's extreme weather conditions, combining heavy rainfall and fire hazards, exacerbated the storm's impact on the Hawaiian Islands. The research highlights the importance of considering both environmental and socioeconomic factors in assessing population vulnerability to natural hazards.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJul 20, 2020

Gum disease may raise risk of some cancers

A study published in the journal Gut found that people with periodontal disease may be at a higher risk of developing oesophageal and gastric cancer. The research examined data from over 98,000 women and men and found a 43-52% increased risk associated with periodontal disease.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGut·DateJul 20, 2020

How to repair your gut

A strong cellular lining is essential for a healthy gut, and damage to it can cause painful symptoms. Monash University researchers have identified a key biomolecule, Neuregulin-1, that accelerates the repair of damaged tissue by prompting stem cells to regenerate.

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 20, 2020

Concerns over police head injuries

A new study found that police officers are at a higher risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than the general public, with 38.9% reporting a TBI resulting in loss of consciousness. Officers with a history of TBI also experienced higher levels of post-concussion symptoms and mental health issues, including depression and PTSD.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing·DateJul 20, 2020

Could mini-Neptunes be irradiated ocean planets?

New findings suggest mini-Neptunes may form as super-Earths with a rocky core surrounded by water in a supercritical state, challenging their previous classification as gas planets. Scientists propose that intense stellar irradiation causes a greenhouse effect, increasing the size of atmospheres and forming such planetary configurations.

SourceCNRS·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 20, 2020

Call to action for stronger, better-funded federal nutrition research

A high-level group of experts recommends strengthening federal nutrition research with improved coordination and investment to accelerate discoveries and reduce diet-related diseases. The new approach aims to generate critical science to rapidly treat and prevent diet-related diseases, improving public health and population resilience.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 20, 2020