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Science News Archive October 2012 - Page 9


Page 9 of 33

Grandmas made humans live longer

A new study provides mathematical support for the 'grandmother hypothesis,' which proposes that humans evolved longer adult lifespans due to grandmothers' care. The simulations indicate that with only a little bit of grandmothering, animals with chimpanzee lifespans evolve into humans in less than 60,000 years.

Quantum computing with recycled particles

A team from the University of Bristol's Centre for Quantum Photonics has developed a technique to recycle particles in a quantum computer, reducing physical resources required for factoring. This breakthrough enables more efficient calculations, paving the way for larger implementations of quantum algorithms.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 23, 2012

Influence in times of crisis: How do men and women evaluate precarious leadership positions?

A study published in Psychological Science found that women are less likely to accept precarious leadership positions but more sensitive to social resources. Men, on the other hand, focus on financial resources. The researchers suggest that societal expectations about gender and leadership play a key role in driving these evaluations.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 23, 2012

Study explains connection between Hawaii's dueling volcanoes

A new study explains the connection between Kilauea and Mauna Loa by proposing an upper-mantle link that can account for their competition over a deep magma supply. The research suggests that increased pressure in the upper mantle is transmitted through a partially molten region, causing simultaneous inflation at both volcanoes.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 23, 2012

High-pressure science gets super-sized

Scientists have developed a way to generate super-high pressures without using shock waves, allowing them to study materials at conditions corresponding to the core of gas giant planets. This breakthrough could lead to new revelations about how the Earth evolved and how iron functions at extremes.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2012

Limitations to the 'revolutionary' findings of online studies

Research conducted through online communities faces methodological limitations, including selection bias and information bias, which may impact the accuracy of findings. The study highlights the need for clearer disclosure of benefits and risks to participants, particularly when data is shared with third parties.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 23, 2012

Puppies don't pick up on yawns

A study from Lund University found that dogs under 7 months are immune to contagious yawning, but as they age, they start to mimic human yawns, indicating a developmental increase in empathy. This pattern is similar to human development, suggesting that empathy-based social modulatory effects emerge later in life.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateOct 23, 2012

Open access: Delivering on its potential

The PLOS Biology editorial emphasizes the need for open access journals to ensure research reusability, beyond just accessibility. The scientific community can progress by sharing and building upon each other's work.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 23, 2012

Mining social media to discover vehicle defects

Virginia Tech researchers developed a computer-based system to analyze social media posts for vehicle defects, a first large-scale case study confirming the value of social media in vehicle quality management. The system can sift through millions of unrelated posts to identify useful information on safety and performance issues.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalDecision Support Systems·DateOct 23, 2012