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Science News Archive November 2013 - Page 11


Page 11 of 30

See a Honda, buy a Mountain Dew? What happens when consumers fast-forward through commercials?

A study by researchers from Duke University found that exposure to multiple brands with different personalities can make a focal brand seem more distinctive. Consumers are more likely to buy Mountain Dew when it's paired with a dissimilar brand like Honda, especially at faster-than-normal commercial speeds.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 19, 2013

Phthalate exposure linked to preterm birth

A new study found that women exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have a significantly higher risk of preterm birth. The study, which measured phthalate levels in urine samples from pregnant women, found that those with the highest exposure had two-to-five times the odds of preterm birth compared to those with lower exposure.

The human health costs of losing natural systems: Quantifying Earth's worth to public health

A new paper highlights repeated correlations between human-caused changes to natural systems and human health outcomes, including cardiopulmonary disease, Chagas disease, malaria exposure, and iron deficiency anemia. The study proposes a research framework to strengthen the scientific underpinnings of both public health and environment...

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2013

A fresh step towards quantum computing

Scientists have successfully manipulated atomic magnetism by harnessing superconductivity to create a stable state, enabling the potential for quantum computing. By studying tiny magnetic molecules in contact with a superconductor surface, researchers were able to write and read information using controlled magnetism.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 19, 2013

What water looks like to DNA

A team of biochemists and mathematicians developed a geometric model to predict how biological molecules interact with water, computing results up to 20 times faster. This approach may help identify new targets for treating human diseases.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateNov 19, 2013

Hashtag health

A social media program by San Diego State University professor Ming-Hsiang Tsou analyzed tweets for keywords 'flu' and 'influenza' to identify outbreaks. The algorithm detected daily correlations between tweet patterns and regional reports, with five cities showing the strongest correlations.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateNov 19, 2013

Study: Odds of rehospitalization of cognitively impaired varies by discharge destination

A study by Indiana University and Regenstrief Institute found that cognitively impaired older adults released from the hospital are less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they go to a nursing home. In contrast, those returned to their own homes or family members are more likely to experience readmission.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 19, 2013

The semantics behind the sale price: When does the 'original' price matter?

Research reveals that consumers value sales more when considering the original price, and retailers can leverage this by highlighting list prices. In three experiments, authors found that relying on competing product similarities increased consideration of both original and sale prices, while focusing on dissimilarities led to a focus ...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 19, 2013

Corticosteroid added to standard treatment improves eyesight in patients with sudden vision loss

Researchers found that adding a corticosteroid to standard treatment significantly improves both short- and long-term visual acuity in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The study showed that patients treated with the combination therapy had better long-term vision compared to those only treated with...

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2013