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Science News Archive 2010 - Page 38


Page 38 of 283

Primordial dry ice fuels comet jets

Scientists from the University of Maryland's EPOXI mission have discovered that dry ice is the 'jet' fuel for comets, including Hartley 2. The discovery reveals that solar heating of subsurface frozen carbon dioxide is powering the comet's jets, which are rich in CO2 gas and particles of dust and ice.

APHA 2010: College days -- more sedentary days

College students experience a gradual decrease in moderate and vigorous physical activity as they progress through their studies, resulting in increased body mass index and weight. The transition period can lead to weight gain, emphasizing the importance of colleges providing programs and choices to support healthy lifestyle changes.

Looking for wireless? Try a local farm

Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research are developing wireless sensing networks to monitor field conditions in rice and cotton production. The systems use sensors to track temperature, soil moisture, and fiber quality, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions. This technology has the potential to improve crop management, incr...

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·DateNov 10, 2010

Multiple fathers prevalent in Amazonian cultures

Researchers found that up to 53 out of 128 studied societies believe in the principle of multiple paternity. Women benefit from this system as secondary fathers provide gifts and support, increasing child survival rates. Men also gain by formalizing alliances through shared wives, strengthening family bonds.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2010

CWRU nurse researcher finds prescribed bed rest has down side for pregnant women

A comprehensive review of 70 research articles finds that prescribed bed rest may have negative effects on pregnant women's physical and emotional health. The study suggests that hospital stays deny women the opportunity to rest in a comfortable environment, potentially leading to depression and post-traumatic shock disorder.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalBiological Research For Nursing·DateNov 10, 2010

Combined approach including taxing unhealthy foods, restricting food advertising and better labeling are among most cost-effective ways to reduce obesity in nations of all incomes

A combined approach of taxing unhealthy foods, restricting food advertising, and improving labeling is cost-effective in reducing obesity in all nations. Implementing such measures would add nearly 7 million life years to the population's health expectancy.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 10, 2010

New research from Psychological Science

Researchers discovered that when a person's personality matches the prevalent personalities of others in a culture, it enhances positive effects on self-esteem and well-being. Additionally, social threats induce bodily freeze-like behavior in humans, while cultural differences in spatial representations affect time perception.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 10, 2010

Recommendation letters may be costing women jobs, promotions

A study at Rice University found that female candidates are described in more communal terms, which can negatively impact their hiring chances. The researchers suggest that traditional gender schemas contribute to these biases, highlighting the need for increased awareness of subtle discrimination in academia and management roles.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateNov 9, 2010

Softening crystals without heat: Using terahertz pulses to manipulate molecular networks

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully developed a method using terahertz pulses to manipulate molecular networks in crystalline form. This technique softens crystals without raising temperatures, allowing for potential advances in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical refinement.

Ecologists get fish eye view of sexual signals

Researchers developed a model to mimic the stickleback's visual system, allowing them to determine what 'colors' the fish see. The results show that females can assess the quantity of carotenoids in males' signals, which is linked to his parenting ability.

SourceWiley·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateNov 9, 2010

How the dragon got its 'snap'

Researchers use snapdragon flower as model to study genetic and chemical cues that shape biological structures, revealing key role of genes in controlling cell growth and orientation. The study also suggests evolutionary tinkering played a role in shaping complex forms.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 9, 2010