Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for December 10, 2013


Study provides nutritional information on oilseed crop for use in pig diets

Researchers evaluated camelina expeller digestibility in pigs, comparing them to canola meal. The study found that some camelina expeller sources had comparable amino acid digestibility to canola meal, suggesting their use in pig diets may be possible. However, other sources showed lower digestibility values.

Pest-killing wasps and berry fungus

Two Canadian teens, Adamo Young and Kiri Daust, published their research on wasps and leaf disease, revealing an efficient killer of an agricultural pest and a little-known fungus hurting Highbush Cranberries. Their studies help farmers combat the moth pest without pesticides.

SourceCanadian Science Publishing·JournalThe Canadian Field-Naturalist·DateDec 10, 2013

Mount Sinai researchers say new strain of bird flu packs a punch even after becoming drug-resistant

Mount Sinai researchers found that a drug-resistant H7N9 virus retained its ability to replicate and cause severe illness in humans, even after becoming resistant to Tamiflu. The study suggests that flu viruses can develop drug-resistant mutations without suffering a penalty in terms of their fitness.

Recipe for a universe

Researchers have mathematically described the phase transition between a boring empty space and an expanding universe containing mass. The theory connects quantum field theory and Einstein's relativity, suggesting that time and space can undergo a phase transition similar to liquid-solid transitions.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 10, 2013

Early initiation of ER palliative care consultations resulted in shorter hospital stays

Researchers found that initiating palliative care consultations in emergency departments (EDs) reduced hospital length of stay by an average of 3.6 days compared to patients receiving consultations after admission. This study suggests that EDs could be a setting for improving patient-centered care and reducing healthcare costs.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateDec 10, 2013

Announcing project agora: Ambitious comparison of computer simulations of galaxy evolution

The AGORA project aims to resolve inconsistencies in supercomputer simulations of galaxy evolution by comparing results from different codes and processes. By applying the principle of reproducibility, researchers hope to identify key physics ingredients that produce realistic galaxies.

Research unveils clues about protein mechanism critical to plant growth and yield

Heterotrimeric G proteins play significant roles in plant development, including fruit and seed size and production, defense against pests and pathogens, and response to abiotic stresses. Research by Sona Pandey and collaborators showed that elevated G protein quantities in Camelina sativa led to increased seed production and size.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateDec 10, 2013

Motivating healthy adults to be more physically active improves their cardiorespiratory fitness

University of Missouri researchers found that encouraging healthy adults to be more physically active can improve their cardiorespiratory fitness. The study suggests that recommendations from healthcare professionals and simple interventions can effectively boost physical activity levels and lead to better health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNursing Research·DateDec 10, 2013

Colleges pay attention: How do top 10 rankings influence applications?

A study by Mathew S. Isaac and Robert M. Schindler found that moving just two spots up or down a ranked list can greatly influence consumer perception. The researchers analyzed data from the Graduate Management Admissions Council, finding that rank changes near round-number group borders are the best predictors of increased applications.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 10, 2013

Measuring up

Researchers found that tree sparrows can identify parasitic eggs by color and shape, ejecting 81% of non-native objects. The birds' ability to recognize foreign eggs is linked to motivation and nest sanitation, with some species being more careful during incubation.

You are what your father eats

A McGill study suggests that a father's diet before conception plays a crucial role in the health of their offspring. The research found that paternal folate levels may be as important as those of the mother, with potential consequences for birth defects and long-term development.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 10, 2013

Social entrepreneur elective gives students opportunity to be leaders of social change

New York University College of Nursing has introduced an undergraduate honors elective in social entrepreneurship that connects the nursing profession to its roots of social innovation and action for change. Students develop essential tools with non-profit agencies serving homeless individuals, at-risk seniors, and pre-school children.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Nursing Education·DateDec 10, 2013

Majority of Americans avoid addressing end-of-life issues, according to new study

A new study found that only 26.3% of adults have completed an advance directive, with women, whites, and those with higher education or income being more likely to have one. The study highlights racial and educational disparities in advance directive completion, emphasizing the need for education on facilitating end-of-life decisions.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateDec 10, 2013

First the hype, now the science: Evidence-based recommendations for PRP

A new study provides the first evidence-based recommendations for the use of PRP in orthopaedic care, identifying successful treatments and areas where further research is needed. The authors conclude that PRP can be effective for conditions like arthritis in the ankle and tennis elbow, but more study is required for other applications.

SourceNorthwestern Memorial HealthCare·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateDec 10, 2013

Mars and Venus go shopping: Does gender play a role in negative word of mouth advertising?

Researchers found that men are sensitive to impairing their image, but do not prefer who they complain to. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to complain to close friends when concerned about their reputation. The study challenges prior assumptions that negative word-of-mouth is largely driven by product performance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 10, 2013

Stimulant-addicted patients can quit smoking without hindering treatment

A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that smokers addicted to cocaine or methamphetamine can quit smoking while being treated for their stimulant addiction. The study showed that treating tobacco addiction may reduce negative health consequences and improve substance use disorder treatment outcomes.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateDec 10, 2013