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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 61


Page 61 of 277

The 12-step path to white-collar crime

Research identifies a 12-step process where morally upstanding individuals become embroiled in white-collar criminality due to organizational culture and leadership behavior. Key findings include the role of personality, life circumstances, and passive participants in the descent into crime.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Governance and Ethics·DateOct 13, 2009

Confidence may not be convincing when recommending products or services

A recent study found that expressing uncertainty can make recommendations from experts more influential than those from novices. The researchers conducted three experiments and found that participants were more surprised by reviews from novice reviewers who expressed certainty and from expert reviewers who expressed uncertainty.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateOct 13, 2009

Looking for privacy in the clouds

Landon Cox, a Duke University assistant professor of computer science, is researching peer-to-peer systems that distribute users' personal information across multiple servers. This aims to reduce the risk of data exploitation and provide more control over users' online presence.

Growth versus global warming

The study highlights the need for a portfolio of measures to minimize climate change impacts while allowing city growth. It emphasizes protecting homes from flooding and reducing carbon emissions, water usage, and moving towards cleaner transport.

Medical imaging may help researchers understand the pathogenesis of H1N1 virus

Researchers used medical imaging to identify a severe case of H1N1 after a negative nasal swab test. CT scans revealed peripheral ground-glass opacities, which raised suspicion of the virus and were later confirmed as a cause of death. The study suggests that early CT scans may help clinicians recognize cases of severe influenza.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateOct 13, 2009

How to win by concession and avoid unproductive conflict

A new study published in Economic Inquiry explores how potential losers can use small concessions to successfully appease expected winners, but only under specific conditions. The researchers found that appeasement can be a good plan when choice is possible, and trade should be chosen over conflict.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateOct 13, 2009

Will this trip be exciting? Consumers respond best to vacation ads that match current emotions

A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers respond best to vacation ads that match their current emotions, whether it's excitement or relaxation. The researchers suggest that marketers can facilitate a positive impression by displaying products in contexts where pre-existing feelings align with the product's claims.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateOct 13, 2009

Nitrogen mysteries in urban grasslands

Researchers in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study found that urban grasslands retain a significant amount of nitrogen, with losses typically less than 40% of applied fertilizer. This surprising result suggests that these ecosystems have considerable capacity for nutrient retention, contrary to concerns about environmental impacts.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateOct 13, 2009

Like humans, monkeys fall into the 'uncanny valley'

Researchers found that macaque monkeys react with revulsion when viewing nearly human-like images, supporting theories of an evolutionary basis for the uncanny valley. The study indicates that the brain mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are likely biological adaptations.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2009

Milestone discovery in cell behaviors

A team of international molecular scientists has discovered a fast mechanism by which cells communicate changes, such as location during cancer spread, to adjacent cells. This discovery sheds light on cell behavior and could lead to the development of new drugs for diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceMonash University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 13, 2009

Microchips result in higher rate of return of shelter animals to owners

A recent study by Ohio State University found that microchipped animals were reunited with their owners in almost three out of four cases. The return-to-owner rate for cats was 20 times higher and for dogs 2 1/2 times higher than for all stray cats and dogs, highlighting the effectiveness of microchip technology in pet reunification.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateOct 13, 2009

Nanotech protection

Canadian engineers warn that current safety equipment may not be sufficient to protect workers from nanoprotection risks. The growing field of nanotechnology manufacture poses unknown hazards, and urgent research is needed to develop appropriate protective measures.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanotechnology·DateOct 13, 2009