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Science News for September 4, 2013


Life purpose buffers negative moods triggered by diversity

A study conducted on Chicago trains found that individuals with a sense of purpose in life are less affected by negative moods triggered by diversity. Those who had written about their life aims or had a strong sense of purpose did not experience worsened mood, unlike those without a clear direction.

SourceCornell University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateSep 4, 2013

LSU psychologist discovers intricacies about lying

A new study by LSU Associate Professor Sean Lane explores the cognitive machinery of lies, revealing that false descriptions are more accessible and durable in our memories due to the effort required to make them up. This finding has implications for police interrogation methods and forensic techniques.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·DateSep 4, 2013

Look at what I'm saying

A study by University of Utah bioengineers found that visual cues can dominate sound perception, leading to the McGurk effect. The team used brain signal recordings to demonstrate how vision overrides hearing in certain conditions.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 4, 2013

Canadian group gives guideline recommendations for lung cancer screening

A new set of evidence-based guidelines recommend lung cancer screening for high-risk populations in Ontario using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The guidelines suggest annual screening for two years, followed by biennial screenings until a negative result is obtained. The recommended parameters for LDCT include 120 to 140 kVp and...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 4, 2013

Study shows that people who undergo cataract surgery to correct visual impairment live longer

Researchers from the American Academy of Ophthalmology found a 40% lower long-term mortality risk among patients who had their vision corrected through cataract surgery. The study, which followed over 350 participants, suggests that correcting cataract-related visual impairment results in improved outcomes beyond just eye health.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateSep 4, 2013

Bismuth-carrying nanotubes show promise for CT scans

Rice University scientists have developed bismuth-filled nanotubes as a contrast agent for CT scans, producing brighter images than common iodine-based agents. The nanotube capsules are small enough to diffuse into cells and aggregate to produce high-contrast images.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B·DateSep 4, 2013

What scientists can see in your pee

Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified over 3,000 chemicals in human urine, expanding the list from just 50-100 previously known compounds. This discovery is expected to revolutionize medical testing, enabling fast, cheap, and painless tests using urine instead of blood or tissue biopsies.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 4, 2013

Gravity variations much bigger than previously thought

A joint Australian-German research team has created the highest-resolution maps of Earth's gravity field, showing variations up to 40 percent larger than previously assumed. The new maps were calculated at three billion points and will improve civil engineering projects such as building canals, bridges, and tunnels.

SourceCurtin University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 4, 2013

Measuring progress in nanotech design

A Drexel-led team of researchers has developed a new method to measure the band offset in nanoscale devices using laser-induced current spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables the design of more efficient and effective nanoscale components, such as solar cells, LEDs, and high-speed electronics.

SourceDrexel University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 4, 2013

Best of ESC Congress 2013

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2013 presented several significant studies on cardiovascular disease treatment, including new anticoagulants, heart attack therapies, and preventive measures. The event also highlighted the need for better healthcare access and policy changes to combat CVD in Europe.

A new view of brain tumors

Researchers have developed a new imaging technology, SRS microscopy, that allows surgeons to distinguish between brain tissue and tumors at a microscopic level. This technique can guide surgeons in the operating room and potentially improve surgical outcomes for patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 4, 2013

Study: Simian foamy viruses readily occur between humans and macaques in urban Bangladesh

Researchers have identified multiple strains of simian foamy virus (SFV) in people living alongside macaques in urban areas, highlighting the need for long-term surveillance. The study's findings suggest that SFV can be transmitted through bites and may lead to viral recombination, posing a risk of pathogenic strain emergence.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalEmerging Microbes & Infections·DateSep 4, 2013

Ability to delay gratification may be linked to social trust, new CU-Boulder study finds

A new study by CU-Boulder researchers suggests that people's ability to delay gratification may be influenced by their perception of others' trustworthiness. The findings have implications for understanding why certain populations struggle with self-control, and could inform strategies for improving social trust in children and adults.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 4, 2013

Pacific flights create most amount of ozone

A new study reveals that Pacific flights create the most amount of ozone, with the highest sensitivity in an area east of the Solomon Islands. Flights leaving and entering Australia and New Zealand result in the largest ozone production, with some flights producing up to 25,300 kg of ozone.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 4, 2013

More than one-third of populations worldwide may have low levels of vitamin D, study shows

A systematic review reveals that over one-third of the world's population may have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D values were higher in North America compared to Europe and the Middle-East. The review highlights the need for further research and public health measures to improve vitamin D status, particularly in high-risk groups su...

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateSep 4, 2013

Only known hibernating primate has unique sleep patterns

Researchers found that dwarf lemurs experience REM sleep at high temperatures, while ground squirrels do not, suggesting a link between temperature and metabolism. The study confirms that hibernation is not a state of dormancy but rather a unique form of sleep.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 4, 2013

Young adults on the autism spectrum face tough prospects for jobs and independent living

Two studies found that young adults on the autism spectrum have worse employment outcomes, including lower pay rates, and are less likely to live independently after high school. Despite this, half of young adults with ASDs did become employed, suggesting potential for improvement with effective preparation and support.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 4, 2013

Alzheimer's missing link found

Researchers at Yale University have identified a protein that serves as the missing link in the chain of events leading to Alzheimer's disease. Blocking this protein with an existing drug has been shown to restore memory and synaptic density in mouse models of the disease. The findings offer strong hope for developing new treatments.

SourceYale University·JournalNeuron·DateSep 4, 2013

Relationship of kidney function estimates to risk improves by measuring cystatin C in the blood

The use of blood levels of cystatin C strengthens the association between kidney function and risks of death and end-stage renal disease. Cystatin C allows for better staging and risk classification of chronic kidney disease, potentially leading to targeted management and improved patient outcomes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 4, 2013

Bizarre alignment of planetary nebulae

A team of astronomers found that butterfly-shaped planetary nebulae are mysteriously aligned in the sky, with their long axes aligned along the plane of our galaxy. This surprising result hints at a more mysterious factor influencing the formation of these objects, possibly due to strong magnetic fields as the bulge formed.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 4, 2013