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Science News for August 14, 2012


Need an expert? Try the crowd

A team at the University of Vermont discovered that crowdsourcing can effectively predict user behavior, such as body weight and electricity use. The experiment showed that self-directed questions and answers by visitors to websites led to computer models that accurately predicted these outcomes.

Girls with ADHD more prone to self-injury, suicide as they enter adulthood

Research from UC Berkeley reveals that girls with ADHD are more likely to struggle with internalized issues, such as low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships, as they mature. Longitudinal study finds high rates of self-injury and suicide attempts in young adulthood, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring and treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateAug 14, 2012

Deep inside the body, tiny mechanical microscope

A new technology is being used to diagnose illnesses in hard-to-reach areas of the body, but specialists need standardized guidelines to improve accuracy. The study found poor agreement among doctors on the clinical significance of images from the tiny microscope, highlighting the need for improved training and standardization.

SourceNew York- Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center·JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences·DateAug 14, 2012

Girls with ADHD at risk for self-injury, suicide attempts as young adults, says new research

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are significantly more likely to attempt suicide or injure themselves as young adults. The study also found that ADHD in girls can signal future psychological problems and have serious public health implica...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateAug 14, 2012

Hearing the telltale sounds of dangerous chemicals

A new sensor uses a phenomenon called photoacoustic effect to detect and identify chemicals, including nerve agents. The system can identify multiple agents simultaneously in real-time, with potential applications for detecting hazardous gases.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 14, 2012

Don't burn out: Enjoy your favorite products more by consuming them less frequently

A new study suggests that slowing down consumption of enjoyable products can lead to greater enjoyment and a longer experience. By pacing oneself, consumers can avoid satiation and savor the pleasure of their favorite items. This finding challenges common behaviors that prioritize immediate gratification over long-term satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 14, 2012

New insights into how vascular networks form in fish brains

A study published in PLOS Biology reveals how the brain's vascular network forms in zebrafish, driven by blood flow and influenced by a protein called Rac1. The researchers found that vessel pruning occurs at loop-forming segments, leading to a simplified final form of the vasculature.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 14, 2012

NASA seeing sprites

Scientists used two jets to film sprites at 10,000 frames per second, capturing movies that shed light on this poorly understood phenomenon. The research aims to study the forces behind sprite formation and its connection to lightning and atmospheric energy exchange.

Old skull bone rediscovered

Researchers from University of Zurich detect presence of os interparietale in over 300 species using micro-CT imaging, resolving previous assumptions about its existence and evolutionary history. The discovery sheds new light on human anatomy and refutes earlier theories.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 14, 2012

Impulsive micromanagers help plants to adapt, survive

A recent study found that soil microbes play a crucial role in helping plants survive the effects of global changes, such as increased CO2 concentrations and altered precipitation patterns. By interacting with microbes, plants can adapt to drought stress more quickly, allowing them to thrive in new environments.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 14, 2012

Study proves that 1 extinction leads to another

A study by University of Exeter researchers found that the demise of one carnivore species can indirectly cause another to become extinct due to ripple effects on a food web. This supports growing evidence against 'single species' conservation approaches, favoring instead ecosystem-centric strategies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiology Letters·DateAug 14, 2012

Study finds that yo-yo dieting does not thwart weight loss efforts or alter metabolism long term

A new study published in the journal Metabolism found that yo-yo dieting does not negatively impact metabolism or weight loss ability in the long term. The study involved 439 overweight women who were assigned to different weight loss groups, and found no significant differences between those with a history of yo-yo dieting and those w...

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalMetabolism·DateAug 14, 2012

Marine research in the Brazilian rainforest

A study by Thorsten Dittmar and colleagues reveals that the Atlantic Ocean is receiving a significant amount of stable carbon compounds from the Brazilian rainforest, which was heavily deforested in the 1970s. The compounds, originating from charcoal left in the soil, are affecting biogeochemical cycles for centuries and millennia.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 14, 2012

Macabre finds in the bog at Alken Enge

A team of archaeologists and geologists have discovered a large quantity of skeletal remains at the Alken Enge site, including a fractured skull and thigh bone hacked in half, suggesting violent conflict. The remains are believed to be from hundreds of warriors who were sacrificed around the time of the birth of Christ.