Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2012 - Page 76


Page 76 of 333

A complete solution for oil-spill cleanup

A superabsorbent material can recover up to 5 gallons of crude oil per pound and is strong enough for collection and transportation. The material transforms an oil spill into a soft gel that can be converted back into refined oil, providing a cost-effective solution to reduce environmental impacts.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnergy & Fuels·DateOct 3, 2012

Southern Hemisphere becoming drier

Research by CSIRO scientists reveals a southward shift in the subtropical dry-zone is driving autumn rainfall decline across south-eastern Australia. The expansion also affects southern-coastal Chile and southern Africa, with some regions experiencing increased rainfall during April-May.

Oldest evidence of regular meat consumption by early humans found

A 1.5-million-year-old skull fragment from Tanzania shows signs of anemia caused by a nutritional deficiency, suggesting regular meat consumption in early hominids was common. The discovery supports the idea that early human ancestors were hunters and had a physiology adapted to regular meat consumption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 3, 2012

Study finds faults in proposed mental disorder diagnosis

A recent study found that a newly proposed mental disorder diagnosis, attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS), may not be necessary due to overlap with existing conditions. Researchers evaluated 1,200 patients and found that APS did not identify a single patient who didn't meet the criteria for another existing diagnosis.

SourceCare New England·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateOct 3, 2012

Payoff lacking for casino comps

A study by Temple University researchers found that free room giveaways are less profitable than alternative comps such as free travel and parking. In fact, casinos could see an $8.45 return on every dollar spent on their own travel and parking promotions compared to only a $2.51 return on room, food, or beverage giveaways.

SourceTemple University·JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research·DateOct 2, 2012

US edition of bmj.com launched

The BMJ Group has launched a dedicated US edition of bmj.com, prioritizing clinical and journalistic content relevant to US physicians and researchers. The site now features a homepage with direct-relevance articles and channels prioritizing content of interest to US readers.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 2, 2012

Prehistoric builders reveal trade secrets

A fossilized graptolite has provided evidence that early organisms developed specialized roles and cooperated to construct their homes, much like modern builders. The ancient animals displayed complex structures, including slender branches and hourglasses, indicating an elaborate division of labor.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalGeological Magazine·DateOct 2, 2012

A mammal lung, in 3-D

A team of researchers created the most detailed, three-dimensional rendering of the pulmonary acinus, a complex region in the mammal lung. The model, derived from mice, can help scientists understand where and how lung diseases emerge and how drugs are delivered.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 2012

New findings on the workings of the inner ear

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that the hairs in the inner ear not only move sideways but also change in length when stimulated by sound waves. This finding provides new fundamental knowledge about the mechanisms of hearing and may help develop a new treatment for impaired hearing.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2012

1 glue, 2 functions

Scientists at the University of Akron have discovered that cobweb spiders use two different designs to create adhesives with varying strengths, one for firm attachments and another for weak ones. This intelligent design strategy could lead to the development of synthetic adhesives with biomedical applications.

SourceUniversity of Akron·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2012