Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2013 - Page 68


Page 68 of 352

Communication with similar people stronger than believed

Researchers at Aalto University found that people tend to communicate more frequently with individuals who are similar in age, gender, and mutual friends. The study used computational social science methods to analyze anonymized mobile phone call data, revealing patterns of communication that contradict earlier assumptions.

SourceAalto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2013

Deciding when 'not' to maximize profits

A new study reveals that corporate bosses selectively intervene in subsidiary decisions to prevent competitive spillovers and maintain a 'go along to get along' cooperative attitude. This approach restricts growth in certain businesses within the corporation, ultimately benefiting rivals at the expense of consumers.

SourceBoston College·JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly·DateOct 23, 2013

Ignorance is sometimes bliss

Researchers discovered that a lack of information about kinship can lead to increased cooperation and reduced conflict within groups. This phenomenon, known as the veil of ignorance, is observed in both social insects and genes, suggesting its evolutionary advantages.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 23, 2013

Advanced Open Access publishing model

The Biodiversity Data Journal proposes an integrated, narrative and data publishing model for making content reusable and interoperable. This approach shortens the distance between text and data publishing, allowing for easier discovery and harvesting.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateOct 23, 2013

Imaging breast cancer with light

Researchers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands have developed a new imaging tool called the photoacoustic mammoscope, which uses a combination of infrared light and ultrasound to create a 3-D map of the breast. The device has shown promise in detecting breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 23, 2013

Tailored doses of cytostatic improve survival rate

Researchers developed a protocol to optimise preparatory treatment with cytostatics prior to stem cell transplantation for children with chronic granulomatous disease, achieving higher survival rates and minimal adverse reactions. The study involved tailoring doses of fludarabine and busulfan based on blood levels, resulting in a 93% s...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 23, 2013

Super song learners

A study by Max Planck Institute researchers found that treating juvenile zebra finches with nerve growth factor 'BDNF' enhances their ability to copy songs from their fathers. The treated birds showed a higher similarity with the song of their fathers compared to normally reared juveniles.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateOct 23, 2013

The reins of Casimir: Engineered nanostructures could offer way to control quantum effect

Scientists at NIST have observed that patterning one surface with nanoscale structures increases or decreases the Casimir effect, which is necessary for making small mechanical parts and studying gravity at the microscale. The discovery challenges existing theory and opens a new path for tuning these effects.

ChemWiki takes on costly textbooks

ChemWiki, launched in 2008, has received major funding from the National Science Foundation to expand its wiki network and compare its content with standard textbooks. The project aims to provide free online resources for students and faculty, promoting a more accessible and affordable learning experience.

Men tend to walk slower when walking with romantic partners

New research shows that men slow down by 7% when walking with their female romantic partners, deviating from their optimal walking speed. This phenomenon suggests that males in mixed-sex groups may make energetic adjustments to accommodate their partner's pace, potentially influencing mobility and reproductive strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 23, 2013

Seeing the song

A new Northwestern University study tracked the auditory system's response to highly complex auditory-visual stimuli like music and moving images. The research shows that the left auditory cortex specializes in processing precise timing for sounds and applies this ability to encode auditory-visual synchrony, but only in certain situati...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 23, 2013

Nanopore opens new cellular doorway for drug transport

Engineers have created a biological nanopore that acts as a selective door for DNA molecules to enter cells, potentially revolutionizing gene therapy and targeted drug delivery. The nanopore can be controlled to allow specific genetic information in specific cells, opening new possibilities for precision medicine.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2013

USC researcher reveals how to better master stem cells' fate

Researchers at USC have identified a novel way of culturing human ESCs by focusing on the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. This discovery reveals the important role of Tfcp2l1 in communicating to ESCs that they should self-renew, offering promise for developing stem cell-based therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's and spinal co...

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2013