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Science News for January 5, 2012


Dialysis treatments go green

A new study finds that solar-powered hemodialysis can reduce power costs by up to 76.5% and generate effectively free energy. The researchers advocate for implementing water conservation and waste management systems in dialysis programs to further reduce environmental impact.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 5, 2012

Whiff of 'love hormone' helps monkeys show a little kindness

Researchers found that oxytocin administration enhanced prosocial choices in rhesus macaques, making them pay attention to each other and choose to give juice to a neighbor. The hormone also increased gaze duration when choosing to reward another monkey, suggesting improved social skills.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 5, 2012

Dogs read our intent

Researchers used eye-tracking technology to find that dogs are receptive to human communication in a manner similar to young children, responding more to verbal cues and intentions than just words. Dogs' brains show sensitivity to communicative intent through verbal addressing and eye contact.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 5, 2012

Making personal health records more usable

A study examined the user experience of popular functions in the Department of Veterans Affairs' My HealtheVet system, finding that users found the prescription refill function particularly useful. Patients also sought features that would allow them to easily download and share their health information with healthcare providers.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateJan 5, 2012

3-dimensional view of 1-dimensional nanostructures

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that individual gallium nitride nanowires exhibit strong piezoelectricity in three dimensions, with efficiency up to six times greater than bulk material. This finding has significant implications for the development of nanogenerators capable of powering self-powered devices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 5, 2012

Graphene's piezoelectric promise

Engineers created graphene's pseudo-piezoelectric behavior by punching triangle-shaped holes into it, producing strong piezoelectricity comparable to well-known substances like quartz. The results have the potential to open new avenues for graphene and applications relying on piezoelectricity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 5, 2012

World's first chimeric monkeys are born

Researchers have successfully produced chimeric monkeys with six distinct genomes, expanding the scope of biomedical research. The breakthrough suggests limitations in using cultured embryonic stem cells and highlights the importance of studying primate and human embryos.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJan 5, 2012

Earth's massive extinction: The story gets worse

Researchers have discovered that massive volcanic eruptions in the late Permian period likely caused the extinction of nearly all marine species and a majority of land life. Mercury levels were found to be significantly higher than today's human-caused emissions, contributing to the loss of 95% of life in the sea.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalGeology·DateJan 5, 2012

You say you don't care about dating a hottie?

A new methodology developed by Northwestern University researchers reveals that people's implicit, split-second responses to physically attractive individuals better predict their attraction to them. This challenges the idea that stated preferences for partners accurately reflect one's true desires.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 5, 2012

UGA scientists 'hijack' bacterial immune system

Researchers have discovered how to harness the bacterial immune system to selectively target and silence genes. This finding has far-reaching implications for biotechnology and biomedical research, allowing for the modification of gene expression in bacteria used for biofuels and pharmaceuticals.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 5, 2012

Graphene rips follow rules

Research from Rice University and UC Berkeley reveals graphene tears along energetically favorable lines, creating desirable edges. The study suggests a new way to control graphene's electrical properties by manipulating its edges.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 5, 2012

Platform safety on the radar for researchers

A new radar system uses ultra-wideband radio waves to quickly identify objects on train tracks, including luggage items and people who may have fallen. The system has been successfully tested in simulations and real-life experiments, showing its potential to prevent serious accidents and reduce delays.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalMeasurement Science and Technology·DateJan 5, 2012

Nanocrystals make dentures shine

Researchers from Jena University developed a new type of glass ceramic that can be used in dentistry due to its high strength and optical characteristics. The material, which is composed of nanocrystals, achieves a strength five times higher than comparable denture ceramics available today.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateJan 5, 2012

Colorful plates boost a picky eater's appetite

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica found that children prefer colorful food plates with multiple items and figurative designs, while adults tend to prefer simpler arrangements. The study suggests that adding color to meals can make nutritionally diverse foods more appealing to picky eaters.

SourceCornell University·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateJan 5, 2012