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Science News Archive July 2012 - Page 2


Page 2 of 26

Higher retail wages correlate with lower levels of employee theft

A study by Clara Xiaoling Chen and Tatiana Sandino found that higher wages are associated with lower levels of employee theft, even after controlling for other factors. The researchers suggest that paying relatively higher wages discourages employee theft as employees wish to retain their job or exhibit positive reciprocity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Accounting Research·DateJul 30, 2012

'... But names could really hurt me'

Child psychological abuse is linked to disorders of attachment, developmental and educational problems, socialization problems and disruptive behaviour. The effects of psychological maltreatment during the first three years of life can be particularly profound.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 30, 2012

New coating evicts biofilms for good

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new coating called SLIPS that can prevent the formation of biofilms on surfaces. The technology, which is smooth and slippery due to an immobilized liquid layer, has been shown to reduce the formation of disease-causing bacteria by up to 96%.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2012

Mechanism of lung cancer-associated mutations suggests new therapeutic approaches

Researchers have identified how EPHA3 gene mutations may promote lung cancer. The study found that loss of the gene diminishes its tumor-suppressive effect, potentially sparking tumor growth. The findings suggest that therapies targeting a downstream pathway may be beneficial for tumors with mutant EPHA3.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 30, 2012

New genetic target found for diuretic therapy

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have identified a new genetic target, pendrin, for diuretic therapy. The study suggests that targeting pendrin could lead to a targeted treatment option for patients with severe fluid overload who may not respond well to current diuretics.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2012

1 in 5 streams damaged by mine pollution in southern West Virginia

A new study by Duke University scientists reveals that surface coal mining is severely impacting water quality in southern West Virginia. The research found that just five percent of upstream land conversion can lead to the degradation of up to 22% of streams, with salinity levels and insect biodiversity declining substantially.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 30, 2012

Diagnostic imaging increases among stage IV cancer patients on Medicare

A study found that stage IV cancer patients on Medicare are more likely to undergo high-cost diagnostic imaging procedures, which may be driven by the increasing number of treatment options available. The use of imaging has steadily increased between 1995 and 2006, with costs rising faster than overall cancer care costs.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 30, 2012

In Massachusetts, 'individual mandate' led to decreased hospital productivity

A recent study published in Health Care Management Review found that mandatory individual insurance coverage in Massachusetts led to a significant near-term drop in hospital productivity. The results raise concerns about the potential impact of universal health insurance coverage on US hospital productivity and overall healthcare costs.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalHealth Care Management Review·DateJul 30, 2012

Parents find terms 'large' or 'gaining too much weight' less offensive than 'obese'

Medical researchers at the University of Alberta found that parents prefer terms like 'large' or 'gaining too much weight' when discussing their child's weight, rather than the term 'obese'. This suggests that using more neutral and descriptive language can reduce stigma and improve the physician-patient relationship.

Health care savings, naturally

A Harvard researcher has found that using traditional, natural medicines can provide significant economic benefits, with households in Madagascar receiving between $30 and $45 per year. The study suggests that if Americans relied on these remedies, they could save up to 63% of their annual healthcare bill.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 30, 2012

Telling the tale of the wealth tail

Researchers propose a mechanism of individual interaction to understand collective macroscopic behavior, finding power-law tails in some models. The diversity of saving propensity among individuals plays a role in shaping the distribution of wealth.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 30, 2012

Modern culture 44,000 years ago

A team of international researchers has dated and directly analyzed organic artifacts from Border Cave in South Africa, revealing evidence of San material culture dating back 44,000 years. This finding pushes the timeline for the emergence of modern human culture earlier than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2012

Surgical patient safety program lowers SSIs by one-third following colorectal operations

A surgical patient safety program combining accurate outcome measurement, leadership support, and engaged frontline providers reduces SSI rates in patients undergoing colorectal procedures by 33 percent. The program led to a notable reduction in wound infections, resulting in cost savings of up to $280,000 at the institution.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJul 30, 2012

What would happen without PSA testing?

The study found that without PSA testing, approximately 25,000 cases of advanced prostate cancer would occur in 2008, three times the actual number observed. This would result in more men experiencing aggressive disease with limited treatment options.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJul 30, 2012

When the world burned less

A new University of Utah-led study suggests that global cooling, rather than population collapse, was the primary driver of reduced wildfires globally. The research analyzed charcoal samples spanning 2,000 years and found a significant decline in fires post-1500 AD, which coincided with the onset of the Little Ice Age.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Holocene·DateJul 29, 2012

Smell the potassium

Researchers found two new potassium channels, SK3 and GIRK, that activate the vomeronasal organ's pheromone detection, overriding previous theories on sensory neuron function. The discovery provides clues to innate behaviors in humans and challenges existing knowledge on the VNO's role.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 29, 2012

Magnetic field, mantle convection and tectonics

A study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that rapid mantle convection may influence the Earth's magnetic field, which is produced by convection currents in the liquid core. The research team found that changes in heat flow and density distribution in the mantle could lead to more frequent or less frequent geomagnetic reversals.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 29, 2012

Cutting the graphene cake

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a side-view imaging technique to visualize individual graphene layers in devices, finding that structures are remarkably stable even with multiple layers. This achievement has significant implications for the engineering of graphene-based computer chips.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 29, 2012