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Science News Archive January 2013 - Page 4


Page 4 of 27

Empathy and age

A study of over 75,000 adults found that late middle-aged adults, particularly women, report higher levels of emotional reactivity and perspective-taking. This inverted U-shaped pattern suggests a potential link between age-related cognitive changes and empathy.

Virtual superheroes more helpful in real world too

A study published in PLOS ONE found that playing virtual reality games with superpowers increases helpful behavior in the real world. Participants who played as superheroes were more likely to help others after the game compared to those who passedively completed tasks.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 30, 2013

UNC scientists unveil a superbug's secret to antibiotic resistance

Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill identified a bacterial enzyme that enables vancomycin resistance to spread among Staphylococcus aureus strains. They also discovered a potential solution by designing a synthetic molecule that blocks the transfer of resistance genes, offering hope for developing effective therapies.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2013

Mixed forest provides beneficial effects

A new study by researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences found that mixed forests provide positive relationships to six different ecosystem services. The study suggests that promoting more varieties of trees may increase these services, including tree growth, carbon sequestration, and...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2013

Discrepant analyses of industry-sponsored clinical trials

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found significant discrepancies between internal company documents and published trial reports in industry-sponsored clinical trials. The researchers highlighted the need for standardizing definitions of analysis types, making full trial protocols and data publicly available, and ensuring regul...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 29, 2013

Indoor air puts Chinese women nonsmokers at risk

A University at Buffalo study found that indoor air pollution contributes significantly to lung cancer risk in Chinese women, despite low smoking rates. The research measured particulate matter levels inside homes and linked them to lung cancer incidence, highlighting the need for improved ventilation systems and public education.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCancer Causes & Control·DateJan 29, 2013

Epigenetic control of cardiogenesis

Researchers have discovered a new class of non-coding RNAs essential for embryonic heart development. Knocking down the long non-coding RNA Fendrr led to lethal malformations and impaired body wall formation in mouse embryos. The study sheds light on the role of epigenetic control in regulating cardiogenesis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 29, 2013

Study supports heart rhythm problems with some antidepressants

A recent study found a link between certain antidepressants and long QT intervals, a marker for heart rhythm abnormalities. The research used electronic health records to track patients who had taken antidepressants or methadone, and discovered that some medications increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 29, 2013

Simulations' Achille's heel

Computer simulations face challenges when applied to systems of finite size, such as those in crystal or liquid crystals. Additionally, some methods may not accurately compute thermal properties like entropy.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateJan 29, 2013

Low-income pregnant women in rural areas experience high levels of stress, researcher says

Research by Tina Bloom at the University of Missouri's Sinclair School of Nursing highlights the dangers of chronic, long-term stress on low-income pregnant women in rural areas. These women experience financial problems, lack of employment opportunities, and isolation, which exacerbate their emotional and physical well-being.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalIssues in Mental Health Nursing·DateJan 29, 2013

Going trayless study shows student impact

A new study published in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition found that removing trays from university dining halls reduces food waste and dish use. The study, conducted at American University, shows a 32% reduction in food waste and a 27% reduction in dish use.

SourceAmerican University·JournalJournal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition·DateJan 29, 2013

Common genetic alteration found in head and neck cancers may not be key to effective treatment

Research found that a large majority of head and neck cancers have deregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, but this doesn't necessarily mean the tumor is dependent on it for survival. The study used tumor explant model to distinguish driver mutations from passenger mutations, which could help stratify patients for response to mTOR inhibitors.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 29, 2013

Ants' behavior leads to research method for optimizing product development time, costs

A Wayne State University researcher has developed a mathematical model-based methodology to estimate the optimal amount of time spent developing a product, as well as its cost, in overlapped product development. The approach could reduce product definition time by up to 50% and improve critical thinking.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalInternational Journal of Production Research·DateJan 29, 2013