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Science News Archive May 2020 - Page 18


Page 18 of 42

Sustainable palm oil? How environmental protection and poverty reduction can be reconciled

The expansion of oil palm cultivation has contributed significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction in local communities, particularly in Asia. However, large-scale deforestation and biodiversity loss are concerns due to the increased demand for palm oil, primarily used in food, fuel, and cosmetics industries.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAnnual Review of Resource Economics·DateMay 19, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers from University Hospital of Toulouse treated a severely ill patient with COVID-19 using tocilizumab, a biological agent targeting inflammatory cytokines. The patient showed dramatic improvement in respiratory outcomes, suggesting potential benefits for patients with the most severe forms of COVID-19.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 18, 2020

Gestures heard as well as seen

Researchers found that gesturing while speaking affects the sound of a person's voice, adding acoustic emphasis. The study suggests that gestures carry additional information about bodily tension and motion, contradicting traditional views on language.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

COVID-19: Managing mental health with yoga

New research from the University of South Australia shows that movement-based yoga can significantly improve mental health for individuals with a range of mental disorders. The study, which examined 19 studies across six countries, found incremental benefits with increased yoga practice.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMay 18, 2020

How climate killed corals

A study by Kris Karnauskas found that a marine heatwave followed by a terrestrial one, exacerbated by global warming, led to the massive coral bleaching event. The warm water persisted for months, causing extensive damage to the ecosystem and drastically changing species composition.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 18, 2020

Should schools go screen-free

A study by Dr. Pooja Tandon found that 33% of middle schools and 69% of high schools do not restrict phone use during these times. Limiting phone use is believed to decrease screen exposure, improve focus in the classroom, and promote physically active play.

SourceSeattle Children's·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 18, 2020

Fly on the wall

Scientists used virtual reality to simulate a naturalistic environment for insects, revealing their ability to use perspective and motion parallax to locate food sources. The study also showed that airflow cues play a crucial role in orienting flies, especially in the absence of visual cues.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

Egregious emissions

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that a small percentage of industrial facilities are responsible for the majority of toxic pollution year after year. The researchers analyzed data from over 25,000 facilities across 322 manufacturing industries and found that only 1,116 can be characterized as 'super poll...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 18, 2020

Not all multiple sclerosis-like diseases are alike

Scientists discovered that patients with certain inflammatory demyelinating diseases have auto-immune antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), which is thought to be important in maintaining the myelin sheath's structural integrity. This finding suggests that therapeutic strategies need to be individualized for pat...

SourceTohoku University·JournalBrain·DateMay 18, 2020

Double helix of masonry -- Researchers discover the secret of Italian renaissance domes

Researchers at Princeton University and University of Bergamo analyzed how famous Renaissance domes were built without shoring or forms, quantitatively proving physics behind their structure. The study reveals forces that allow structures to be self-supporting, advancing modern construction techniques and potential environmental benefits.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalEngineering Structures·DateMay 18, 2020

Trends in tropical cyclone intensity

Tropical cyclones have increased in intensity over the past four decades, with wind speeds of at least 100 knots rising by approximately 15% between early and latter halves of record. The increase corresponds to a statistically significant rate of 8% per decade, consistent with physical theory and numerical simulations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

Exoplanet climate 'decoder' aids search for life

Cornell University astronomers have developed a practical model to tease out climate clues for potentially habitable exoplanets. By analyzing the effects of planetary surface color and light from its host star, they can calculate a climate, providing valuable insights into the detectable spectra of Earth-like planets.

SourceCornell University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 18, 2020