Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for February 10, 2011


Study shows that defensive military alliances enhance peace

A new study by Rice University researchers found that countries with defensive military alliances are less likely to be attacked, and these alliances do not increase the likelihood of aggression. The study analyzed defense agreements from 1816 to 2001 and suggests that such alliances can make war and militarized conflicts shorter.

SourceRice University·JournalForeign Policy Analysis·DateFeb 10, 2011

When nature calls

Researchers at Texas A&M University found that male swordtail fish strategically release pheromone-packed urine in the presence of females as a display of courtship. The study, published in PLOS ONE, challenges previous assumptions about passive pheromone release in fish.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 10, 2011

44-year-old mystery of how fleas jump resolved

Researchers at Cambridge University have finally resolved the debate on how fleas jump, discovering that they push off with their toes. The team used high-speed cameras and mathematical modeling to analyze flea jumps, finding that both the tarsus and trochanter were involved in the jumping process.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateFeb 10, 2011

Common insecticide used in homes associated with delayed mental development of young children

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant association between piperonyl butoxide, a common additive in pyrethroid formulations, and delayed mental development in young children. Children exposed to higher levels of PBO showed lower cognitive scores, similar to the impact of lead exposure.

Most stroke patients don't get clot-busting treatment in timely manner, study finds

Researchers found that less than one-third of acute stroke patients treated with clot-busting drug tPA receive it within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. Timely tPA administration is linked to lower in-hospital mortality and fewer complications, with every 15-minute reduction associated with a 5% lower risk of death.

WSU researcher designs multilingual instruction materials for world's largest mall

A WSU researcher designed an instructional process to train over 300 employees from diverse countries in custodial duties at the Dubai Mall. The project resulted in a high success rate and has been recognized as a model for efficient, cross-cultural instructional design.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalInternational Journal of Designs for Learning·DateFeb 10, 2011

Changing views about saturated fat and cardiovascular disease

A new perspective paper challenges long-held beliefs about saturated fatty acids and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the complexity of diet's effects on CVD risk. Experts conclude that blood lipid ratios and food matrices, including nutrients like protein and calcium, play a more significant role than just fatty acid content.

SourceGlobal Dairy Platform·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateFeb 10, 2011

Homogeneous tuberculosis treatment ineffective in children, UT Southwestern researchers find

A new study reveals that standardized medication dosages for children with tuberculosis are too low and may not be effective due to individual variations in response. The researchers used computer simulations to determine how a child's body handles the medication, highlighting the need for personalized treatment plans.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateFeb 10, 2011

Squid pheromone sparks extreme aggression on contact

A new study in Current Biology found that male squid become aggressively after contacting a chemical on female eggs, revealing the first detailed evidence of an aggression-inducing pheromone in any aquatic animal. This discovery challenges previous theories on aggression and highlights the complex communication system of squid.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 10, 2011

Noninvasive test for trisomy 21 closer at hand

A new noninvasive test for trisomy 21 has been developed using DNA sequencing of maternal blood plasma, accurately detecting the extra chromosome in 100% sensitivity and 99.7% specificity. The test shows promise as a potential alternative to invasive prenatal testing.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateFeb 10, 2011

On their own 2 feet

A 3.2 million-year-old fossil foot bone found in Ethiopia shows that human ancestors walked bipedally with a modern human-like foot, resolving a long-standing debate among paleoanthropologists. The discovery provides strong evidence for the arches and supports a modern-human style of locomotion for Lucy's species.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateFeb 10, 2011

More advantages found for new drug: McMaster study

A recent McMaster University-led study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that apixaban significantly reduces stroke or embolism risk in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation, preventing one stroke for every 20 patients treated. The drug also reduces major bleeding risk compared to aspirin.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2011

Restructuring natural resource majors

A study by Michigan State University found that students enrolling in fishery and wildlife programs are leaving after completing coursework due to limited hands-on experiences and challenging academic requirements. The researchers identified seven categories for student departure, including engagement, employment, and academic rigor.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education·DateFeb 10, 2011

Invasive plants can create positive ecological change

A team of scientists found that invasive fruiting plants, such as honeysuckle, can form mutually beneficial relationships with native birds and other species. In the Happy Valley region of Pennsylvania, honeysuckle increased the abundance of fruit-eating birds and facilitated seed dispersal for nearby native plants.

SourcePenn State·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateFeb 10, 2011

Spring break

A study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that students who have agreements with friends about using alcohol during Spring Break are less likely to binge drink. Women were more likely than men to report having understandings about safer behavior, such as agreeing not to get drunk.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateFeb 10, 2011

Childhood physical abuse linked to peptic ulcers

Researchers at the University of Toronto found a strong association between childhood physical abuse and peptic ulcers in adulthood. The study, which analyzed data from over 13,000 Canadians, showed that victims of childhood abuse were 68% more likely to develop peptic ulcers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateFeb 10, 2011