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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 8


Page 8 of 277

Experiential learning teaches change and adaptation

A study by Dr. Kristyn Harms and colleagues found that experiential learning significantly impacts students' ability to manage change in agroecosystems. The study identified key factors, including hands-on activities, emotional responses, and human interactions, that contribute to behavioral change.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education·DateDec 15, 2009

Rare earth metal enhances phosphate glass

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new type of glass that blocks ultraviolet light and has increased radiation damage resistance. The cerium-containing phosphate glasses can be used in windows, sunglasses, and solar cells.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·DateDec 15, 2009

Home-based child care meeting nutritional standards; widespread use of TV a concern

A study by Oregon State University reveals that home-based child care providers often meet nutritional standards, but most children aged 2-5 are exposed to television for most of the day and lack sufficient physical activity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of TV time per day for this age group.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateDec 15, 2009

The importance of attractiveness depends on where you live

A study published in Personal Relationships found that attractiveness plays a significant role in urban areas where individuals have more social choices, leading to increased psychological well-being. In contrast, rural areas with fewer social options show less importance of attractiveness in securing friendships and feeling good.

SourceWiley·JournalPersonal Relationships·DateDec 15, 2009

LHC produces first physics results

The LHC has successfully recorded its first proton collisions, providing a crucial benchmark for the accelerator's performance. The ALICE experiment detected 284 collisions at an energy of 450 GeV, confirming previous measurements and laying the groundwork for future experiments.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateDec 15, 2009

More than a jump to the left

A new study published in Current Biology reveals that children from different cultures articulate spatial relations differently, with German kids using egocentric terms and Akhoe Hai||om kids using allocentric notions. This finding highlights the diversity of human cognition across cultures.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 15, 2009

Antagonistic genes control rice growth

Researchers found that a plant steroid controls the balance between two genes in rice, regulating leaf angle and cell growth. The discovery has important implications for understanding how to manipulate crop growth and yield, and could lead to better engineering of crops to feed a growing population.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateDec 15, 2009

Irrigation decreases, urbanization increases monsoon rains

Monsoon rainfall has decreased over the past 50 years in rural areas with increased irrigation in northern India, while urban areas have seen an increase in heavy rainfall. This shift is attributed to landscape changes and cooling effects on low-pressure systems necessary for monsoons to progress.

SourcePurdue University·JournalInternational Journal of Climatology·DateDec 15, 2009

Insomnia symptoms linked with medical complaints in young school-aged children

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found significant associations between parent-reported insomnia symptoms and gastrointestinal regurgitation and headaches in young school-aged children. Insomnia was 3.3 times more likely to occur with gastrointestinal regurgitation and 2.3 times more likely with headaches.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateDec 15, 2009

Psychotherapy offers obesity prevention for 'at risk' teenage girls

A pilot study found that Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) can help 'at risk' teenage girls stabilize or reduce their body mass index (BMI), preventing excessive weight gain. IPT targets social and interpersonal difficulties linked to loss of control eating, a key factor in childhood obesity.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateDec 15, 2009

New bacterial behavior observed

Researchers at the University of Southern California have discovered a new bacterial behavior where Shewanella oneidensis harvests electrochemical energy and swims in response to metal presence. This finding could improve the efficiency of microbial fuel cells, producing usable energy.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 15, 2009

Researchers ID traits of people with rare accelerated aging syndrome

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified distinct traits in patients with atypical progeroid syndrome (APS), a rare premature aging disorder. The study found that APS patients exhibit unique clinical features, metabolic abnormalities, and delayed onset of symptoms, potentially explaining their longer lifespan.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 15, 2009

Medical team's support of terminal cancer patients' spiritual needs improves quality of life

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that support of patients' spiritual needs by medical teams is associated with greater use of hospice care, less aggressive treatment, and better quality of life near death. Patients whose spiritual needs were largely or completely supported had scores on average 28% higher in well-being.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 15, 2009

Moral dilemma scenarios prone to biases

Researchers have found that moral dilemmas are often influenced by general biases rather than abstract moral principles. The study highlights the need for more diverse methods in studying moral judgments, moving beyond the use of moral dilemmas.

SourceWiley·JournalCognitive Science·DateDec 14, 2009