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Science News for April 5, 2012


Active older adults less likely to experience psychological distress

Researchers found that older adults who experienced moderate psychological distress were seven times more likely to experience functional limitation than those without distress. Engaging in physical activity can help achieve greater independence and positive health gains for active older adults.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 5, 2012

Tackling dyslexia before kids learn to read

Researchers found a causal connection between early problems with visual attention and later dyslexia diagnoses. Visual attention deficits were more predictive of reading disorders than language abilities at the prereading stage.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 5, 2012

How to plaster the world, cheaply!

Researchers from the University of Leeds and CSIC-University of Granada have discovered a way to produce bassanite, a precursor phase to gypsum precipitation, at room temperature. This process could lead to significant cost savings in the production of plaster and potentially reduce environmental impacts related to gypsum disposal.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience·DateApr 5, 2012

Study links Google search behavior to GDP

A quantitative analysis of Google search queries found a link between online behavior and real-world economic indicators, suggesting countries with higher GDP are more focused on the future. The study used Google Trends data from over 45 billion searches in 45 countries to calculate a 'future orientation index' that correlates with GDP.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 5, 2012

Psychological testing may predict success in soccer

A new study from Karolinska Institutet suggests that measuring executive functions can predict a player's success in soccer. The researchers found a correlation between high scores in cognitive tests and better performance on the pitch, supporting the idea that game intelligence is not just innate but can be developed.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 5, 2012

From herd immunity and complacency to group panic: How vaccine scares unfold

A new model based on game theory and social learning can predict the patterns of vaccine scares, explaining why vaccine uptake takes time to recover after a scare. The model highlights the interplay between disease dynamics and vaccination behavior, suggesting that herd immunity can lead to complacency among unvaccinated individuals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 5, 2012

Confirming carbon's climate effects

Scientists compiled core samples from around the world to reconstruct global temperature and find a strong correlation between rising CO2 and warming at the end of the ice age. CO2 trails Antarctic warming but precedes global temperature change, supporting its role in climate change.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 2012

Researchers assess radiation exposure in obese patients

A new study published in Physics in Medicine & Biology found that obese patients receive up to 62% more radiation during CT scans than normal-weight patients. This increase is due to excess fat tissue, which can reduce the quality of medical images unless adjusted accordingly.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics in Medicine and Biology·DateApr 5, 2012

Shifting sands

Researchers developed a new model that predicts the flow of granular materials like sand, considering the size of individual grains. The model improves on existing continuum models by accounting for grain size effects, which were previously overlooked.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 5, 2012

Beanballs and the psychology of revenge

A study by Brown University psychologist Fiery Cushman found that 44% of baseball fans approved of a pitcher targeting an innocent player to avenge a teammate. The researchers suggest this 'vicarious punishment' may be driven by honor or deterrence, rather than moral responsibility.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 5, 2012

Normal triglyceride levels in people of African descent may hinder diagnosis of metabolic syndrome

People of African descent may be at risk for cardiovascular disease despite normal triglyceride levels, highlighting a paradox known as the TG paradox. Researchers call for further study and development of new screening guidelines to better identify metabolic syndrome in this population.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalMetabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders·DateApr 5, 2012

Big advance against cystic fibrosis

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have created human lung surface tissue in a dish, containing the delta-508 and G551D mutations responsible for most CF cases. This breakthrough enables drug screening on genuine human cells, paving the way for a potential therapy to control cystic fibrosis.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateApr 5, 2012

Women cannot rewind the 'biological clock'

A recent study by Yale University researchers highlights the misconception that women can easily have a child at an advanced age using assisted reproductive technologies. While ART is available for women over 40, pregnancy success rates are limited and complications increase with age.

SourceYale University·JournalFertility and Sterility·DateApr 5, 2012

How to make high-end perfumes without whale barf

University of British Columbia researchers identified a gene in balsam fir trees that can facilitate the production of plant-based fixatives and scents, potentially replacing whale barf-derived ambergris. This discovery could lead to more sustainable and cost-effective production methods for high-end perfumes.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 5, 2012

How to make customers happy

Researchers found that customers' perceptions of call center performance are not influenced by location or accent, but rather by the agent's customer orientation. The study recommends companies prioritize this aspect when recruiting staff, regardless of location.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalInternational Business Review·DateApr 5, 2012