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Science News Archive March 2011 - Page 18


Page 18 of 28

A glove on your hand can change your mind

Researchers found that using a ski glove to hinder motor fluency can reverse right-handers' judgments of good and bad, making them associate left with the 'right side' of space. This study suggests that people's conceptions of good and bad depend on their bodily experiences.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 10, 2011

Study shows new treatment strategy effective for certain lung cancers

A new treatment strategy using chemotherapy drugs Erlotinib and Gefitinib has been found to be effective in treating a subset of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The drugs, which target the EGFR mutation, produced a response rate of over 70% and had fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 10, 2011

Acquisition of robotic technology leads to increased rates of prostate cancer surgery

A new study published in Medical Care found that hospitals with robotic technology are more likely to perform radical prostatectomy surgeries. This is the first study to investigate the impact of surgical robot acquisition on surgery rates, and it concludes that technological adoption leads to increased surgical volume.

Can bees color maps better than ants?

Researchers develop an algorithm based on honey bee behavior to solve the four-color theorem, which proves that maps can be colored with only four colors. This method uses less computational power than existing algorithms and applies to engineering and mathematical problems beyond map coloring.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Bio-Inspired Computation·DateMar 10, 2011

New study reveals aerosol plumes downwind of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School discovered two distinct plumes of oily aerosols traveling from sea surface to atmosphere after the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The study provides new understanding of air pollutants' effects on environment, human health, and global climate change.

The physics of bank shots

A study by NC State University researchers found that bank shots are more effective than direct shots, especially from 12 feet away or in the 'wing' areas between the three-point line and free-throw lane. The optimal aim points create a 'V' shape near the top center of the backboard.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateMar 10, 2011

Lover's lane for birds found in Arctic

The study found that the Teshekpuk Lake region contains some of the highest nesting bird densities and nest productivity across Alaska's Arctic. Additionally, nests at the site showed higher nest survivorship rates compared to another site in the Prudhoe Bay region with oil extraction activities.

Age affects us all

A new study of primate aging patterns reveals that humans are not unique in their aging process. By analyzing data from seven species of wild primates, researchers found that human mortality rates increase with age at a similar rate to other primates. The study also confirms the long-held pattern that males die sooner than females as t...

A small quantum leap

The new switching device enables high-speed routing of quantum bits along a shared network, maintaining entanglement information. This practical step toward creating a quantum Internet could achieve secure encrypted information and ultra-fast quantum computing.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 10, 2011

Wayne State study links testosterone with men's ability to 'woo' potential mates

A study by Richard Slatcher found that testosterone levels are associated with men's dominance behaviors and success when competing for an attractive woman. Men with high testosterone levels and a strong desire for social dominance were more likely to suppress their competitors' ability to attract the woman.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMar 10, 2011

Optical illusions show vision in a new light

Researchers used two well-known optical illusions to study how the brain assesses relative size, revealing that environmental clues affect perception after three-dimensional image processing. The Ponzo illusion was found to hold true regardless of eye use or presentation order.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateMar 10, 2011

Gas versus groceries

University of Alberta researchers argue that grocery retailers need to change their tactics in the face of rising gas prices to attract shoppers. To survive, they must provide one-stop shopping and promotions that offer value to customers, such as discounted fuel prices or savings incentives from in-store purchases.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateMar 10, 2011

Ultra high speed film

Researchers from Kiel University have developed a new technique to record films of extremely fast processes, capturing phase transitions and catalytic reactions in solids. The technique uses ultra short flashes of light to make snapshots of electronic states, enabling new insights into relevant properties of solids.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2011

Protein engineered by NYU Langone researchers has potential for new anti-inflamatory treatment

Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center created a novel protein molecule derived from progranulin, which may offer alternative treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The protein has been shown to have a high affinity and specificity for binding to tumor necrosis factor receptors.

Early male friendship as a precursor to substance abuse in girls

A new study suggests that early male friendships are a precursor to substance abuse problems in girls, who tend to initiate mixed-gender friendships earlier and at a faster pace than boys. This transition is associated with increased risk of maladjustment and substance use during late adolescence.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·DateMar 10, 2011

Thrill-seeking females work hard for their next fix

A recent study published in Biology of Sex Differences found that female rats are more likely to develop cocaine addiction due to their heightened motivation and impulsivity. Researchers also discovered that the likelihood of drug abuse increases with an individual's sex, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBiology of Sex Differences·DateMar 10, 2011

Reading in 2 colours at the same time

A recent brain imaging study has identified the neural patterns that enable some individuals to perceive two colors at once while reading. The research, published in Cortex, suggests that the same areas of the brain responsible for processing color also support synesthetic experiences.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateMar 9, 2011

UK doctors consistently oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide

A systematic review of UK doctors' attitudes towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide reveals a significant gap between doctor's views and the public's. The majority of doctors oppose these practices, with religiosity, palliative care, and patient autonomy cited as key factors.

SourceSAGE·JournalPalliative Medicine·DateMar 9, 2011