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Science News Archive 2013 - Page 9


Page 9 of 352

Diet quality links old and young

A Taiwanese study found that high-quality diets among children are correlated with those of their elders, regardless of factors such as household income and parental education. The researchers suggest that grandparents may play a significant role in influencing food habits across generations.

SourceMonash University·JournalEcology of Food and Nutrition·DateDec 17, 2013

Unique industry-academia networks in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy launched

The UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has launched 13 unique collaborative networks to promote interaction between academia and industry, pooling skills to develop research projects with potential to overcome major challenges in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy. The networks will unlock innovative ways t...

Bonobos stay young longer

A study found that bonobos have higher levels of thyroid hormone T3 until adulthood, unlike humans and chimpanzees. This might impact their social behavior and cognitive development, potentially leading to delayed maturation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateDec 17, 2013

Silencing synapses

Researchers found that silencing synapses in the nucleus accumbens can prevent intensification of cocaine craving. They discovered a chemical receptor known as CP-AMPAR essential for maturation of silent synapses, which revert to silence when removed.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 17, 2013

Experts discover whether it's better to be right or be happy

A study by researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand investigates whether it's better to be right or be happy. The results show that being right can cause happiness, while agreeing with what one disagrees with leads to unhappiness. The study also highlights the adverse effects of unbridled power on quality of life.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 17, 2013

Freezing semen doubles the chances of fatherhood for men after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma

A study published in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal found that freezing semen before cancer treatment can significantly increase the chances of fatherhood. Among 334 male survivors who wanted to have children, those with frozen semen had a success rate of 62% compared to 21% without it.

Drug residues detected in Swedish sewage water

Researchers at Umeå University detected measurable concentrations of illicit drugs in Swedish wastewater from 33 treatment plants. The study found 13 different narcotic substances, with oxazepam, codeine, and morphine being the most common prescription drug residues.

SourceUmea University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateDec 17, 2013

Never forget a face

Researchers developed an algorithm that subtly modifies facial features to make a face more memorable. The system uses machine learning to analyze subtle trends in facial features and applies these changes to produce a new image. In tests, the algorithm succeeded in making faces more or less memorable in around 75% of cases.

Smoking changes our genes

Research found smoking changes genes associated with health problems like cancer and diabetes. Epigenetic modifications are likely caused by tobacco combustion, not substances in the tobacco.

SourceUppsala University·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateDec 17, 2013

Childhood bullying shown to increase likelihood of psychotic experiences in later life

A new study published in Psychological Medicine found that childhood bullying significantly increases the likelihood of psychotic experiences in later life, affecting victims, perpetrators, and bully-victims. The research suggests early interventions against bullying in primary school could prevent long-term effects on mental health.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateDec 17, 2013

Cells from the eye are inkjet printed for the first time

Researchers have made a breakthrough in printing cells from the human retina using piezoelectric inkjet technology, opening up new possibilities for treating blindness. The study successfully printed two types of cells, ganglion cells and glial cells, which remained healthy and retained their ability to survive and grow in culture.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiofabrication·DateDec 17, 2013

Infrared sheds light on single protein complexes

A new infrared spectroscopy technique called nano-FTIR has enabled researchers to map the secondary structure of proteins on the nanometer scale. The technique, which combines scanning near-field optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, allows for nanoscale-resolved protein spectroscopy and identification of single protein complexes w...

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 2013

Changes in proteins may predict ALS progression

Measuring changes in proteins in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may better predict disease progression, according to scientists at Penn State College of Medicine. Biomarkers from plasma and cerebrospinal fluid identified as useful in predicting disease duration.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateDec 17, 2013

2 in 3 13-year-old girls afraid of gaining weight

New research found that six in ten 13-year-old girls are afraid of gaining weight or getting fat, with one in three girls and one in five boys avoiding fatty foods. The study also revealed that unhealthy weight-control strategies can lead to higher odds of being overweight and obese at age 15.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateDec 16, 2013

Ear acupuncture can help shed the pounds

A recent study found that ear acupuncture using five points may be more effective in reducing midriff bulge than single-point stimulation. The treatment led to significant reductions in BMI and waist circumference after four weeks, with the most notable effects seen in the group using the five-point approach.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalAcupuncture in Medicine·DateDec 16, 2013

Elite technology for gene silencing

Researchers at Mirimus Inc. developed a new technology to enhance RNA interference efficiency and accuracy, enabling functional gene annotation in normal homeostasis and disease. The new approach uses an optimized microRNA backbone to increase the success rate of RNAi screens and models.

SourceMirimus Inc.·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 16, 2013

Recognizing the elephant in the room: Future climate impacts across sectors

The Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP) provides comprehensive climate change projections, identifying regional hotspots of impact types that coincide and interact. The results highlight the need for effective real-world policies to mitigate the impacts of global warming.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2013

SOFS take to water

Berkeley Lab researchers unveiled the first soluble single-layer 2D honeycomb SOFs with precise control over dimensionality, holding implications for sensing, separation, energy sciences, and biomimetics. The breakthrough uses non-covalent supramolecular interactions to maintain solubility in water.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 16, 2013

Black mayoral candidates win close elections in the South, pointing to importance of voter mobilization

A study by Princeton University finds that black mayoral candidates in Southern cities tend to win close elections with higher voter turnout than their opponents. This is attributed to effective voter mobilization strategies that targeted unregistered African-American voters, making it cheaper for black campaigns to get these votes out.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateDec 16, 2013

Loggerhead sea turtle nesting activity driven by recent climate conditions and returning nesting

A new study reveals that favorable climate conditions in the year prior to nesting and the number of returning female turtles significantly impact loggerhead sea turtle nesting activity. The research suggests that protecting older juveniles and sub-adults is crucial for population recovery, and may be more important than protecting hat...

Regenstrief and IU investigators identify first biomarker linked to delirium duration

A novel role for S100β has been identified as a biomarker for delirium duration in critically ill patients, which may have implications for refining treatment in intensive care units. Delirium duration is associated with increased mortality rates, and higher levels of S100β on day 1 or day 8 are linked to longer delirium duration.

SourceIndiana University·JournalInternational Journal of General Medicine·DateDec 16, 2013