Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive November 2012 - Page 7


Page 7 of 23

Using biomarkers from prehistoric human feces to track settlement and agriculture

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst used biomarkers from human feces to establish the first human presence, arrival of grazing animals, and population dynamics in a landscape. The method provides a strong human signal with excellent chronological control, offering valuable insights into past environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 26, 2012

Researchers found that bariatric surgery techniques produce similar outcomes, with weight loss itself being the primary factor responsible for improved metabolic responses. In another study, antifibrinolytic drugs were linked to seizures due to their inhibition of glycine receptors in the brain. A companion commentary reviews the conne...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 26, 2012

Smells like Christmas spirit

Researchers at Washington State University discovered that a simple scent is more effective in increasing retail sales than complex scents. The simple scent of orange freed customers' minds from processing tasks, leading to increased purchases and faster problem-solving.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateNov 26, 2012

Scientists analyze millions of news articles

Researchers analyzed 2.5 million articles from 498 English-language outlets, finding that tabloid newspapers are more readable than broadsheets and use more sentimental language. The study also revealed a dominance of male voices in news content, with 'Sport' and 'Financial' articles being the most male-biased.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalDigital Journalism·DateNov 26, 2012

Scanning innovation can improve personalized medicine

Researchers have developed omni-tomography, a technology that integrates multiple imaging modalities to improve early disease screening, cancer staging, and therapeutic assessment. This approach enables precise reconstruction of small areas in the body using prior knowledge and common properties.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 26, 2012

Study links improved consumer welfare to increased prescription drug advertising efforts

A study by Jayani Jayawardhana found that direct-to-consumer advertising of cholesterol-reducing prescription medications leads to improved consumer welfare. The research also suggests that targeted advertising efforts towards physicians can inform their selection of the drug, leading to better health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalInternational Journal of Industrial Organization·DateNov 26, 2012

Neuroimaging study: Negative messages less effective on those who are substance dependent

A new neuroimaging study suggests that negative messages are not an effective way to deter drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among those who are substance-dependent. The study found that the brains of substance-dependent individuals show lower brain activity in response to negatively framed messages, leading to riskier decisions.

SourceIndiana University·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateNov 26, 2012

Destruction of the North China Craton

The North China Craton's thin lithosphere and signs of thermo-tectonic reactivation challenge the traditional view of a stable cratonic lithosphere. The concept of 'craton destruction' has been widely accepted, influencing understanding of intraplate magmatism and continental evolution.

Students at cooperative schools are more engaged

A recent study by IkerRos found that students at co-operative schools display the greatest engagement, while those at public schools show the lowest. The study also reveals differences in engagement based on sex and age, highlighting the importance of organizational development and teacher-student interaction.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalRevista de Psicodidáctica·DateNov 26, 2012

Drugs limiting excess mucus could save lives

Researchers have designed new drugs that inhibit excess mucus production in airway cells, a major cause of death in respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. The drugs target the MAPK13 protein, which is involved in the mucus pathway and can reduce mucus production by 100 fold.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 26, 2012

Study suggests eliminating Medicare consultation payments associated with a net increase in spending

A study suggests that eliminating payments for consultations commonly billed by specialists led to a net increase in spending on visits to both primary care physicians and specialists. The change was intended to be budget neutral, but it ultimately resulted in higher fees paid for office visits and increased intensity of coding.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 26, 2012

Crash landings

Swans are found to have more common hip joint problems than previously believed, with CT scans revealing lesions in all five examined birds. The injuries likely occur during landing on hard surfaces, and the study suggests that computerized tomography is a better diagnostic tool for avian patients.

New device hides, on cue, from infrared cameras

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new device that can absorb 99.75% of infrared light on demand, using a tunable material with exceptional optical properties. The device has wide-ranging applications in thermal imaging, spectroscopy, and energy harvesting.

SourceHarvard University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 26, 2012

Personalities influence workforce planning

A new model developed by Concordia researcher Mohammed Othman takes into account workers' personality strengths and differences to create a more efficient workforce planning system. The result is a significant cost savings of 7.1% compared to traditional approaches.

SourceConcordia University·JournalComputers & Industrial Engineering·DateNov 26, 2012

Shrubs lend an insight into a glacier's past

Scientists have discovered a method using shrubs to create historical climate data on glaciers, providing more accurate predictions of future changes. The method allows researchers to extend the current record of glacier melting back by many decades, giving them a better understanding of how glaciers behave in the summer.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 26, 2012

Deciphering bacterial doomsday decisions

A Rice University-led study has uncovered an elaborate mechanism allowing bacteria to begin preparing for survival even as it delays the decision to form a spore. The research found that nested 'feedforward' loops enable cells to process information while executing the program, making an accurate decision without delay.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2012