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Science News Archive March 2013 - Page 7


Page 7 of 30

Psychology study shows distance plays key role in gun control arguments

A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that public officials located out of state from their constituents are more likely to gain approval by framing their arguments around the abstract rather than specific incidents. This prompts people to consider the larger picture, according to researchers.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMar 25, 2013

What a bunch of dodos!

Research by the Zoological Society of London found that over 4,000 years ago, tropical Pacific Islands experienced a catastrophic mass extinction of birds, with around 1,300 species disappearing. The loss was largely due to overhunting and deforestation caused by human arrival.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

Decoding the genetic history of the Texas longhorn

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that Texas Longhorns are direct descendants of cattle brought over by Columbus in 1493, with an 85% taurine genome from the Middle East. The breed's genetic diversity is partially responsible for their resilience to harsh climatic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

Compounds found that alter cell signaling, could lead to new breast cancer treatments

Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have identified a class of compounds that can modify cell signaling activity, including anti-inflammatory effects, which could lead to innovative treatments for breast cancer. The study focuses on compounds interacting with the estrogen receptor-α, a key target in breast cancer treatment.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 25, 2013

'Metascreen' forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak

Scientists have created a metascreen cloak that can hide objects from microwaves, providing optimal functionality at specific frequencies and bandwidths. The researchers predict the technique's conformability and robustness will enable cloaking of oddly shaped objects.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 25, 2013

Nouns before verbs?

A new Northwestern University study reveals that infants acquire both nouns and verbs in a more nuanced way than previously thought. The research suggests that the ability to map nouns to objects is robust across languages, but verb mapping is more variable and influenced by linguistic context.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChild Development Perspectives·DateMar 25, 2013

How school report cards can backfire

New research from Michigan State University finds that publicizing performance data for K-12 schools can lead to decreased parent satisfaction and erosion of trust in the schools. The study suggests that clear and easy-to-understand grading systems are crucial, rather than constantly changing them for policy or political purposes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEducational Policy·DateMar 25, 2013

How common is 'The John Next Door'?

A new study by Dr. Christine Milrod and Dr. Martin A. Monto found that only about 14% of men have ever paid for sex, and those who do are not particularly different from the general population. The researchers also discovered that arrested customers are more likely to be married, working full-time, and sexually liberal than non-customers.

SourceSAGE·JournalInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology·DateMar 25, 2013

Artifacts shed light on social networks of the past

A study of over 800,000 painted ceramic and 4,800 obsidian artifacts reveals dramatic changes in social networks over a 250-year period in the late pre-Hispanic Southwest. Researchers found that people maintained surprisingly long-distance relationships despite physical distances, using walking as their only mode of transportation.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

Parkinson's drug helps older people to make decisions

A Parkinson's drug has been shown to reverse age-related impairments in decision making in some older people. The study found that treating older adults with a dopamine-boosting drug improved their ability to learn from rewards and make better decisions, comparable to those in their twenties.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 24, 2013

Surprises in the South polar vortex in Venus' atmosphere

Researchers discovered that the South pole vortex of Venus is composed of two main cloud layers, with centres of rotation at different altitudes forming a constantly evolving permanent structure. This phenomenon, known as super-rotation, occurs due to the planet's slow rotation speed and fast atmospheric rotation rate.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 24, 2013

Catalyst in a teacup: New approach to chemical reduction

Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 24, 2013

Researchers identify genetic sequence that helps to coordinate synthesis of DNA-packaging proteins

A new genetic sequence has been identified as crucial for coordinating the synthesis of DNA-packaging proteins in cells. This process is essential for maintaining genomic stability and preventing birth defects and cancers. The discovery provides insights into how cells regulate histone protein production, a critical step in chromatin a...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 24, 2013

Detecting circulating tumor cells

Researchers have developed a multi-stage, multi-orifice flow fractionation system to detect and separate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood with high efficiency, improving separation efficiency to 98.9%. The device, called MS-MOFF, employs hydrodynamic sorting and can collect viable CTCs after sorting.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 23, 2013

Pathologists identify patterns of mutations to help inform design of future trials

A study published by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer found that 54% of patients with early stage node-negative lung adenocarcinoma had tumors with at least one biologically relevant mutation. The researchers also discovered mutations associated with drug resistance in these patients.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 22, 2013

Did evolution give us inflammatory disease?

Researchers found 21 genomic regions with a 'signature' for both inflammatory disease susceptibility and natural selection. These variants rose in frequency to help protect humans against viruses and bacteria, but now increase the risk of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 22, 2013