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Science News Archive June 2006


Page 1 of 16

Eating habits of successful weight losers shift

A recent study found that individuals maintaining weight loss reported consuming more fat and fewer carbohydrates. Despite this shift, participants who maintained a low-calorie diet with moderate fat intake remained successful in weight loss maintenance.

SourceLifespan·JournalObesity Research·DateJun 30, 2006

Study examines link between racial discrimination and mental and physical health

A study conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that racial discrimination is associated with worse self-reported physical and mental health in African Americans. Self-reported racial discrimination was common among men, but its impact on women's mental health varied by income level.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJun 30, 2006

Biomarker reduces length of antibiotic treatment

A biomarker named procalcitonin can reduce the length of antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients. Studies found that lower procalcitonin levels could shorten antibiotic use by an average of seven days, but guidelines suggest shorter courses and caution against over-reliance on this marker.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 30, 2006

What leads to obesity in rural communities?

A new study found that certain characteristics of rural neighborhoods, such as lack of sidewalks and safety concerns, are strongly related to obesity rates. Altering the neighborhood environment to promote physical activity may help reduce obesity on a population level.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·DateJun 30, 2006

Drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunks

A recent study published by University of Utah psychologists found that drivers using handheld or hands-free cellular phones are as impaired as drunken drivers. The study's lead author, David Strayer, suggests that legislators should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving to address driver distraction.

Food-crop yields in future greenhouse-gas conditions lower than expected

A new study published in the journal Science found that future greenhouse gas conditions are likely to result in lower crop yields, particularly for C3 crops such as rice, wheat, and soybeans. The researchers used open-air field trials involving five major food crops grown under carbon-dioxide levels projected for the year 2050.

The ones that get away

Particles of toxic lead solder used in plumbing can evade detection in some water quality tests, according to researchers funded by the National Science Foundation. Larger particles can get trapped in faucet aerator screens, while smaller particles stick to sampling containers, resulting in inaccurate readings.

Increasing consumer preferences by manipulating memory

Researchers found that solving an anagram before seeing a brand increases preference for that brand over competitors, possibly due to fluency associated with solved anagrams. The study's findings have implications for marketing strategies and could be used to influence consumer behavior.

SourceWiley·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateJun 29, 2006

Rice scientists make first nanoscale pH meter

Researchers have created a nano-sized pH meter using nanoparticles that can detect pH changes with high accuracy. The device, called the pMBA sensor, could enable non-invasive 'optical biopsy' to measure acidity in cancer tumors, revolutionizing medical diagnosis.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 29, 2006

How cooperation can evolve in a cheater's world

A new theoretical model explains how cooperation can emerge in a 'cheater's world', where self-interest typically prevails. In this model, group size plays a crucial role in the evolution of cooperation, with smaller groups allowing altruistic individuals to thrive and maintain their numbers over time.

Catastrophic 'lake burst' chills climate

Researchers discovered a connection between catastrophic freshwater release from glacial lakes in North America and dramatic cooling in climate records approximately 8200 years ago. The study found that the freshwater forcing led to changes in deep ocean currents, which in turn affected northern hemisphere climate.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScience·DateJun 29, 2006

One drink can make you blind drunk

A study found that even a mild dose of alcohol can significantly impair attention and increase the likelihood of missing unexpected visual stimuli. The researchers' findings have serious implications for drivers, as they may not be able to process multiple sources of information simultaneously.

SourceWiley·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateJun 29, 2006

Water fluoridation in New South Wales

Researchers found that community awareness of poor oral health, framing fluoridation as a public health issue, and unified support from health professionals significantly influenced councillor decisions. The study's preliminary findings suggest that these strategies can be effective in promoting water fluoridation in other rural areas.