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New method speeds up development of medication

A new method has been developed to determine the crystal structures of organic salts, significantly speeding up the development of medications. This breakthrough is expected to reduce the time and cost associated with screening organic salts, leading to a faster discovery of effective pharmaceutical ingredients.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalChemical Science·DateMar 26, 2018

Citizen science birding data passes scientific muster

A recent study published in Biological Conservation shows that eBird citizen science data accurately tracks trends in government bird surveys, filling data gaps in developing nations. The analysis, led by University of Utah researcher Joshua Horns, reveals significant declines for 48% of North American bird species over the past 20 years.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMar 11, 2018

U CO2 sensor network shows effects of metro growth

The U CO2 sensor network, the only multisite urban CO2 network worldwide with over a decade of continuous measurements, shows that suburban sprawl significantly impacts metro area CO2 emissions. The network reveals that suburban expansion increases CO2 emissions more than similar population growth in urban areas.

A high-salt diet produces dementia in mice

A high-salt diet reduces resting blood flow to the brain and causes dementia in mice, according to a new study. The study found that mice fed a high-salt diet developed dementia even when blood pressure did not rise, suggesting a direct link between salt intake and cognitive impairment.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 16, 2018

Rapid cellphone charging getting closer to reality

Scientists at the University of Waterloo have created a new type of supercapacitor that can store significantly more electrical energy than existing devices. This breakthrough enables faster charging times for cellphones and laptops, and potentially replaces batteries in electric vehicles and other applications.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 25, 2017

Researchers make headway in desalination technology

Engineers at the University of Illinois have made a breakthrough in developing a saltwater desalination process that is potentially cheaper than reverse osmosis. The new technology uses a battery-like device to remove salts from brackish water, opening up possibilities for inland and industrial sources. Further research is needed to de...

Breeding salt-tolerant plants

Researchers have discovered that quinoa plants can absorb and store salt in bladder cells, allowing them to thrive on saline soils. This unique adaptation enables the plant to recycle energy from sugar molecules to neutralize toxic salt.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 10, 2017