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Science News Archive 2012 - Page 139


Page 139 of 333

Aesop's Fable unlocks how we think

Researchers compared Eurasian Jays with local school children using three tasks of varying complexity, revealing that children learn cause-and-effect relationships in a different way than birds. The study found that while the birds struggled to understand the mechanism, the children focused on simple cause-effect relationships.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2012

Study links alcohol/energy drink mixes with casual, risky sex

A study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found a link between consuming caffeinated energy drinks mixed with alcohol and having casual -- often risky -- sex among college-age adults. The study suggests that mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to unintentional overdrinking, increasing the risk of ...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Caffeine Research·DateJul 25, 2012

Adolescent sexual behavior tied to motion picture sexual content exposure, says MU researcher

A study by University of Missouri researcher Ross O'Hara found that young people who watch more sexually explicit movies tend to engage in more sexual behavior and start having sex at a younger age. The study also discovered that adolescents exposed to more sexual content in movies are less likely to use condoms with casual partners.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 25, 2012

Darker wings for monarch butterflies mean better flight

Research published in PLOS ONE found that monarch butterflies with darker orange wings flew significantly longer distances than those with lighter wings. The study suggests an association between pigment level and flight distance, paving the way for further research into butterfly wing color.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2012

Rapamycin effective in mouse model of inherited heart disease and muscular dystrophies

Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging found that rapamycin improved function and extended survival in mice with a genetic mutation leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and rare muscular dystrophies. The study suggests a therapeutic possibility for human patients suffering from this form of disease.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012

Published clinical trial demonstrates efficacy of Sea-Band® for migraine-related nausea

A recent clinical trial published in Neurological Sciences demonstrates the efficacy of Sea-Band wristbands in reducing migraine-related nausea. The study showed significant improvement in nausea scores and a high percentage of responders to treatment, supporting the use of Sea-Band as a drug-free remedy for this condition.

SourceRobin Leedy & Associates, Inc.·JournalNeurological Sciences·DateJul 25, 2012

2 Solar System puzzles solved

Researchers modelled comets and asteroid particles to explain their origins and compositions. The study found that these particles could have been processed in the hot inner disk of the Solar System before traveling out to icy comets, shedding light on the puzzle of how comets acquired different rim compositions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJul 25, 2012

Global expansion all about give and take, study finds

A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that multinational firms perform better over time, especially when they have a global strategy and coordinate efforts across multiple countries. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 48,000 firms, also found that firm size does not affect success in multinationality.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalGlobal Strategy Journal·DateJul 25, 2012

Women with diabetes more likely to experience sexual dissatisfaction

A UCSF study found that women with diabetes are more likely to report low overall sexual satisfaction compared to non-diabetic women. Insulin-treated diabetic women were at higher risk for lubrication and orgasm complications, while end-organ complications such as heart disease and peripheral neuropathy also impacted sexual function.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 25, 2012

Basal cell carcinoma risk can be chronic

A new study found that basal cell carcinoma risk can persist even after multiple instances of the disease, with predictors including a history of eczema and early sun exposure. Researchers are exploring preventive medication options to minimize damage.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateJul 25, 2012

Expanding Medicaid to low-income adults leads to improved health, fewer deaths

A recent Harvard study found that expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults leads to significant improvements in health and reduced mortality rates. The study analyzed data from three states with expanded Medicaid programs and found a 6.1% reduction in mortality among those covered, corresponding to 2,840 deaths prevented per year.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012

Research charts growing threats to biodiversity 'arks'

A recent study published in Nature highlights the challenges facing tropical protected areas, but also shows that long-term engagement with conservation can have positive results. Conservation efforts in Tanzania's Udzungwa mountains have paid dividends, with the reserve remaining relatively unchanged from a biodiversity point of view.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature·DateJul 25, 2012

High blood sugar, obesity increase risk for surgical site infection

Two studies published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that high blood sugar and obesity significantly increase the risk of surgical site infections after orthopaedic trauma and total joint replacement. Nearly one-third of hospital admissions without diabetes have hyperglycemia, which is associated with longer stays, ICU ...

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateJul 25, 2012

Locally produced proteins

Researchers discovered that importin beta1, a crucial protein for nerve repair, is produced locally in the axons of peripheral nerve cells. This finding has significant implications for treating nerve damage and may lead to better treatments and faster repair.

The debate over ecstasy continues

A new study published in Addiction journal reveals that even occasional ecstasy use can lead to memory impairments, particularly with damage to the hippocampus. The research found that participants who took ten or more pills over their first year showed decreased function of immediate and short-term memory.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateJul 25, 2012

Identifying the arrogant boss

A new measure of arrogance, the Workplace Arrogance Scale (WARS), can help organizations identify and address arrogant managers. Developed by researchers at The University of Akron and Michigan State University, WARS is correlated with lower intelligence scores and lower self-esteem in managers.

CT angiography speeds emergency diagnosis of heart disease in low-risk patients

A study found that incorporating CT angiography into the initial evaluation of low-risk patients with chest pain reduced hospital stay time by half and decreased costs without increasing the risk of missed diagnosis. The use of CCTA also led to fewer adverse clinical events, but future studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012

Contaminant transport in the fungal pipeline

Researchers found that fungal hyphae can transport contaminants, bypassing air barriers, allowing for potential environmental remediation. This ability enables fungi to overcome limitations in nutrient uptake, suggesting a broader role in facilitating contaminant movement.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 25, 2012