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Science News Archive March 2020 - Page 36


Page 36 of 41

A small step for atoms, a giant leap for microelectronics

Scientists at Rice University successfully grew atom-thick sheets of hexagonal boron nitride, a wide band gap semiconductor, to create perfectly ordered crystals for use in integrated circuits. The breakthrough enables the development of 2D layers with millions of transistors, potentially overcoming limitations in miniaturization.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateMar 4, 2020

New material could turn clothing into a health monitor

Researchers have developed a new material that can be woven into fabric to detect slight changes in body temperature, serving as an early warning system for injury or illness. The material, capable of maintaining a pliable disordered structure, can alert someone monitoring the change to potential need for intervention.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateMar 4, 2020

New measure for excessive buying problems

Researchers at Flinders University have developed a new measure for excessive buying problems, the Excessive Buying Rating Scale (EBRS), to assess severity and predict predictors of problematic buying. Strong beliefs about the benefits of buying were significant predictors, while gender and age also played a role.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders·DateMar 4, 2020

Lung diseases linked to higher rheumatoid arthritis risk

A recent study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Women with asthma were 53% more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while those with COPD were 89% more likely.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateMar 4, 2020

High-tech contact lenses correct color blindness

Scientists have created ultra-thin optical devices known as metasurfaces integrated into off-the-shelf contact lenses to correct deuteranomaly, a form of red-green color blindness. The new customizable contact lens can restore lost color contrast and improve color perception up to a factor of 10.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 4, 2020

Reducing problem behaviors for children with autism

A University of Missouri researcher has created a new approach to reducing problem behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. The flexible intervention technique emphasizes momentary check-ins, allowing parents and caregivers more flexibility to implement the strategy. This can help minimize self-inflicted harm and social sti...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCurrent Developmental Disorders Reports·DateMar 4, 2020

Testing with combined biopsy method improves prostate cancer diagnosis in NIH study

A new testing method combining systematic biopsy with MRI-targeted biopsy leads to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients. The study found that combined biopsy provided more accurate diagnoses than MRI-targeted biopsies alone, reducing the risk of overtreatment and undertreatment.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2020

Study examines potential link between partner bereavement and skin cancer

A recent study funded by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found a potential link between partner bereavement and skin cancer. Researchers discovered that individuals who experienced the loss of a partner had a decreased risk of being diagnosed with melanoma, but an increased risk of dying after diagnosis.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateMar 4, 2020

Sensitivity to low flow

A new method helps scientists determine how vulnerable rivers are to drought conditions by analyzing streamflow data, identifying faster and slower components of runoff and their impact on river sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateMar 4, 2020

A joint venture at the nanoscale

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory fabricate and test a superconducting nanowire device capable of detecting low-energy photons and operating in extreme magnetic fields. The device, made from niobium nitride, operates near absolute zero and has the potential to revolutionize nuclear physics experiments.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment·DateMar 3, 2020

Red panda population genomics confirms two phylogenetic species and different evolutionary histories

Genomic analysis confirms two distinct phylogenetic species in red pandas, with different evolutionary histories and geographical distributions. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect this endangered species, including pedigree construction and interbreeding avoidance for captive individuals.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 3, 2020

Five-year survival improves for certain cancers in adolescent and young adults

A recent study has found that the five-year survival rate for adolescents and young adults with certain types of cancer has improved substantially over the past three decades. Leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma have seen significant declines in mortality rates, with improvements ranging from 20-30 percentage points between 1975 and 2005.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 3, 2020

Dragonflies are efficient predators

A study by the University of Turku found that four damselfly species can catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer, with chironomids being their favorite food. This has significant implications for understanding natural food web functions and the impact of predation on insect populations.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateMar 3, 2020

Changing the debate around obesity

A leading health psychologist argues that negative attitudes towards weight gain affect patient treatment quality. Research shows that obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes, and using positive language can help promote understanding.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMar 3, 2020

We can make predictions about relationships - but is this necessary?

German and Canadian psychologists have developed a predictive model for relationship longevity, identifying key features that indicate a successful or unsuccessful partnership. Couples who start with similar needs and maintain individual independence tend to stay together longest, while those with differing happiness levels are more li...

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateMar 3, 2020

Plasma-driven biocatalysis

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a process to protect enzymes from plasma treatment, allowing for stable biocatalytic reactions with precise hydrogen peroxide dosing. This method improves the efficiency of traditional enzyme catalysis by reducing energy consumption and waste.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemSusChem·DateMar 3, 2020