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Science News Archive June 2012 - Page 19


Page 19 of 29

Planting the right messages may make farms safer

Researchers at Penn State found that social marketing campaigns could motivate farmers to install rollover protective structures on older-model tractors, reducing deaths in tractor-rollover accidents. Offering rebates and highlighting child safety concerns were key motivators for farmers.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Agromedicine·DateJun 12, 2012

Ancient story of Dartmoor tors has an ice-cold twist

A new study reveals that an ice cap and valley glaciers were present in the centre of Dartmoor during the last Ice Age, sculpting its rocky landscape. The research found distinctive outer tors survived while inner tors were destroyed or prevented from forming due to the glacier's presence.

SourceDurham University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateJun 12, 2012

Quantum computers could help search engines keep up with the Internet's growth

Researchers at USC have demonstrated that quantum computing can potentially speed up web page ranking calculations, making it easier for search engines to keep up with the ever-expanding Internet. The study showed that a quantum computer could return the ranking of the most important pages in the web faster than traditional computers.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 12, 2012

New weekly fertility injections work as well as daily

Weekly fertility hormone injections are as safe and effective as standard daily injections in increasing pregnancies and minimizing serious side effects. Women undergoing fertility treatment may prefer weekly injections for their patient-friendly nature.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateJun 12, 2012

University of Arizona researchers awarded $3.6 million to design metaphorical cybersecurity map

Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a visualization system to detect suspicious network activity in real-time, using a geographic map metaphor to facilitate human analysis. The system aims to provide quick high-level information to non-experts and comprehensive data to experts, while also offering customization opti...

Nature or nurture? It may depend on where you live

Researchers found that genetic and environmental factors influence childhood characteristics differently across the UK, with some traits more strongly linked to genes in certain regions. The study's nature-nurture maps provide a global overview of how environment interacts with genetics.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJun 12, 2012

Improving quality of care for sick children in Kenya is cost effective

A cost-effectiveness analysis found that improving quality of care for sick children in district hospitals in Kenya is affordable and effective, with a significant increase in care quality and low additional costs. The intervention was estimated to be approximately $3.6 million annually, or 0.6% of the annual child health budget.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 12, 2012

Evaluation of microscopy techniques may help scientists to better understand ancient plants

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed new microscopy techniques to analyze pollen grains, enabling better classification of prehistoric flora. The research highlights the importance of pollen morphology in understanding the evolution and diversity of ancient vegetation.

Illnesses in Colorado children's hospital prompts discovery of contaminated alcohol pads

A cluster of unusual illnesses at a Colorado children's hospital led to the discovery of contaminated alcohol prep pads with Bacillus cereus bacteria. The investigation resulted in an international recall of the products and highlighted the importance of clear labeling on non-sterile healthcare supplies.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJun 12, 2012

Alcohol abuse may be cause, rather than effect of social isolation, poor grades among teens

A new sociological study shows that alcohol consumption leads to increased social stress and poor grades among teens, especially those in tightly-connected friendship cliques. The study found a correlation between drinking and feelings of loneliness and not fitting in, which can lead to declining grades.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateJun 12, 2012

Teaching autistic teens to cope

A UCLA program has proven effective in teaching social skills to high-functioning autistic teens, leading to improved relationships and social functioning. The PEERS clinic's 14-week program helps teens develop critical skills needed to make and keep friends, resulting in fewer problem behaviors and greater understanding of social skills.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 12, 2012

Unusual microbes could hitch a ride with travellers

Researchers discovered a rare yeast species, Saccharomycopsis fodiens, in geographically distant locations, suggesting its spread may be linked to human migrations. The novel strain is parasitic and unusual in using alternative growth methods, providing clues about global micro-organism dispersal.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateJun 12, 2012

Physicians and public health agencies need shared accountability to improve health outcomes

A joint supplement published by two leading journals calls for better integration between primary care and public health to meet today's health challenges. The effort aims to eliminate duplication and competition, and showcase successful examples of shared accountability in improving community and population health outcomes.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 12, 2012

A 'dirt cheap' magnetic field sensor from 'plastic paint'

University of Utah physicists created a spintronic device that uses MEH-PPV plastic paint to detect magnetic fields, showing exceptional impact in real-world applications. The new magnetometer can accurately measure fields ranging from weak to strong, with potential consumer products on the market in three years or less.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 12, 2012

Protein residues kiss, don't tell

Researchers create DCA-fold tool to spot subtle interactions between amino acids in proteins, refining methods for predicting protein form and function. The new method uses genomic sequence information to eliminate possibilities from the range of forms a protein might take.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2012

A father's love is one of the greatest influences on personality development

Research reveals that fatherly love is critical to a person's development, with rejection having a significant impact on anxiety, insecurity, and relationships. The study suggests that the influence of one parent's rejection can be greater than the other's, highlighting the importance of fathers in child care.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateJun 12, 2012

Making music with real stars

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology's Sonification Lab converted numerical data from Kepler telescope star data into sounds to create a musically appealing melody. The team used this sound in a song by Echo Movement, showcasing the potential of sonification as a tool for analyzing large data sets.

Naturally occurring protein has a role in chronic pain

Researchers have identified a naturally occurring protein involved in generating chronic pain in rats, which could lead to new therapeutic treatments. The discovery highlights the impact of molecular signalling events on nerve transmission and offers promising avenues for pain relief.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJun 12, 2012

Vanderbilt-led study identifies genes linked to resistance to breast cancer chemotherapy

A Vanderbilt-led study identified a gene expression pattern linked to resistance to breast cancer chemotherapy. The researchers found that tumors with low concentrations of the dual specificity protein phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) were more resistant to chemotherapy, suggesting new therapy options for patients with specific subtypes of breast...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 11, 2012