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Science News Archive March 2020 - Page 31


Page 31 of 41

The impact of energy development on bird populations

A new study reveals energy development has negative impacts on sage-grouse reproduction, affecting their ability to nest and raise chicks. The study's findings emphasize the importance of preserving sagebrush habitats when positioning renewable and non-renewable energy projects to balance species conservation with energy demands.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateMar 6, 2020

A multi-dimensional optical storage medium: Photostimuable LiGa5O8: Mn2+ glass ceramic

Scientists have developed a new photostimuable LiGa5O8: Mn2+ glass ceramic medium for three-dimensional volumetric optical data storage, enabling expanded storage capacity and improved information security. The material's high transparency and controlled crystallization lead to a highly ordered nanostructure with low bit error rates.

Making puffer fish toxin in a flask

Researchers have introduced a novel total synthesis method for tetrodotoxin, a strong nerve toxin with potential as a pain reliever for cancer treatment. The new route enables easy and reliable production of the compound.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 6, 2020

Argonne's pioneering user facility to add magic number factory

The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is being upgraded with a new capability to produce beams of heavy atomic nuclei consisting of 126 neutrons, a 'magic number', for nuclear structure and astrophysics research. This upgrade will help scientists test a reigning theory on the formation of heavy elements.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms·DateMar 6, 2020

One species to four: New analysis documents new bird diversity in the Pacific

International team parses Pacific Robin populations across South Pacific islands into several distinct species, revealing complex relationships and major conservation implications. The study highlights the importance of understanding biodiversity units for effective conservation, particularly for small, isolated island populations.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateMar 6, 2020

Aggressive features in some small thyroid tumors increase the risk for metastasis

A study of 30,180 patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma found that nearly 20% had pathological signs of aggressive disease, increasing the risk of distant metastasis. The research emphasizes the need for new preoperative tests to identify high-risk tumors and thorough patient counseling on all treatment options.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMar 6, 2020

Topology protects light propagation in photonic crystal

Researchers have successfully observed topologically protected light waves propagating along a special boundary in a photonic crystal, unaffected by sharp corners or imperfections. This breakthrough enables the development of optical chips with enhanced reliability and potential for quantum information transfer.

SourceAMOLF·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2020

What women really want

Researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated whether changes in a woman's menstrual cycle affect her preferences for men's behavior. The study found that women find all men slightly more attractive when fertile and perceive flirtier men as more attractive for short-term relationships, but less attractive for long-term ones. ...

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 6, 2020

Healthcare innovators focus on 'quality as a business strategy' -- update from Journal of Healthcare Quality

The Journal for Healthcare Quality has published a special issue on quality as a business strategy, featuring six innovative approaches to improving healthcare. These programs include improving clinical documentation, assessing the costs of pressure injuries, and implementing bundled payments for joint replacement.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal for Healthcare Quality·DateMar 6, 2020

Recovering phosphorus from corn ethanol production can help reduce groundwater pollution

Researchers developed a process to recover 80-90% of phosphorus from dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS), reducing excess phosphorus in manure and minimizing algae production. The process is estimated to add $1 million annually in revenue for ethanol plants, while improving environmental sustainability.

Endangered species on supermarket shelves

A study published in Science Advances found nearly 50% of retail eel products in Hong Kong supermarkets contained endangered European eel. The investigation exposed a surprising prevalence of illegally traded glass eels from Europe, posing a significant threat to the species' survival.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2020

Space lettuce

Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateMar 6, 2020

Fire from the sky

Researchers discover cosmic impact evidence at Abu Hureyra archaeological site in northern Syria, dating back to the earliest human settlement. The impact is believed to have caused destruction and burning of the settlement nearly 12,800 years ago.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 6, 2020

Corn productivity in real time: Satellites, field cameras, and farmers team up

Researchers developed a scalable method for estimating crop productivity in real time using satellite data, in-field camera networks, and ground measurements. The method provides highly accurate estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and can be used to detect underperforming fields or segments that need targeted management practices.

Mapping movement

Researchers have uncovered neural mechanisms that govern complex motor sequences in fruit flies, revealing the importance of spatial comparisons in decision-making. The findings could lend insight into pathologies such as Parkinson's Disease and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 5, 2020

Tissue-digging nanodrills do just enough damage

Researchers have successfully tested molecular motors that can destroy diseased cells in worms, plankton, and mice. The nanomachines caused various degrees of damage to tissues, showing their potential for treating skin diseases such as melanomas and eczema.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 5, 2020

Rats avoid to hurt other rats

In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that rats exhibit harm aversion, stopping use of their preferred lever when it would cause pain to a neighboring rat. This phenomenon is linked to the same brain region associated with empathy in humans, suggesting that harm aversion is deeply ingrained in our biology.