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Science News Archive March 2012 - Page 17


Page 17 of 32

Inheritance -- do we spend it or save it?

A new study suggests that people save only about half of their inherited wealth, with the remaining amount spent, donated, or lost. This decision has significant implications for families, financial markets, and the economy.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Family and Economic Issues·DateMar 15, 2012

Process makes polymers truly plastic

Researchers have created a new lithography strategy that allows for dynamic generation of various patterns on large areas of soft plastics or polymers. This enables rapid switching between different textures, such as smooth to rough and back again, with fast timescales of milliseconds.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 15, 2012

EASL-EORTC publish joint clinical practice guidelines on hepatocellular carcinoma management

The EASL-EORTC joint Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide best practice recommendations for surveillance, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. The guidelines aim to improve access to effective interventions for patients with HCC, an increasing global health burden.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateMar 15, 2012

Most Americans save only about half of their inheritances, study finds

A new study by Ohio State University suggests that adults who receive an inheritance spend roughly half of what they receive, while the rest is lost or spent. The study, which analyzed data from over 7,500 participants, found that nearly one-third of all inheritors saw a decline or no change in their wealth after getting an inheritance.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Family and Economic Issues·DateMar 15, 2012

An early spring drives butterfly population declines

A study published in Ecology Letters found that early snow melt in the Colorado Rocky Mountains leads to lower flower availability, negatively affecting the growth rate of the Mormon Fritillary butterfly. Reduced flower availability per butterfly explained most of the observed variation in population growth rate.

SourceBurns McClellan·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 15, 2012

Basketball-sized eyes help squids play defense

Researchers found that giant squids' large eyes collect more light, improving their ability to detect small contrast differences and bioluminescence. The boost in detecting low-light differences is critical for spotting approaching sperm whales, but the squid's escape is not entirely dependent on its eye size.

SourceDuke University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 15, 2012

MIT research: The power of being heard

A new study from MIT neuroscientists found that sharing stories about one's life with members of the opposing group improves attitudes and reduces prejudice. The benefits were greatest for members of the less empowered group, who reported improved attitudes towards the other group after sharing their own perspectives.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 15, 2012

Solitary waves induce waveguide that can split light beams

A Chinese team has developed a theoretical model for multiple solitary optical waves, also known as dark photovoltaic spatial solitons, which induce waveguides and can reconfigure optical beams by splitting them. The findings confirm previous research on the behavior of these solitons in photorefractive crystals.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 15, 2012

Epigenetics and epidemiology -- hip, hype and science

New research in epigenetics explores the impact of environmental factors on gene expression, shedding light on the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and disease. The study suggests that environmentally induced epigenetic changes may not persist across generations, challenging the idea of an 'epigenetic designer baby'.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateMar 15, 2012

Bilingual immigrants are healthier, according to new Rice study

Research from Rice University found that bilingual immigrants experience improved physical and mental well-being compared to unilingual immigrants. The study, which analyzed over 4,649 U.S. immigrants, suggests that maintaining native-language fluency alongside English proficiency contributes to better health outcomes.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateMar 15, 2012

Disabling cancer cells' defenses against radiation

Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute developed a technique to remove cancer cells' defenses against radiation by disabling their ability to repair DNA. The experimental method uses RNA molecules that shut down genes needed for DNA repair, making brain and lung cancer cells more sensitive to X-ray radiation.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCancer Research·DateMar 15, 2012

What the doctor didn't order: Exploring incidental findings in clinical genome sequencing

A group of specialists explored options for searching and reporting incidental genetic findings in clinical genome sequencing. The study found that while there was no perfect agreement among experts, the majority agreed that many incidental findings should be reported to clinicians. Specialists also differed on whether to disclose cert...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateMar 15, 2012