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Science News for September 5, 2013


Relocation, relocation

Conservationists at the Zoological Society of London have devised a novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change. The research uses habitat suitability maps and correctly identifies sites that will remain viable in the future.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateSep 5, 2013

400-year study finds Northeast forests resilient, changing

A 400-year study by Harvard University researchers found that Northeastern forests have changed significantly after centuries of intensive land use. Maples have exploded across the region, while other tree types like beeches, oaks, and chestnuts show a pronounced decline. Pine numbers have shifted more than any other tree type.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 5, 2013

UCSB researcher explores relationship between landscape simplification and insecticide use

A UCSB study analyzed USDA data spanning two decades, showing the relationship between landscape simplification and insecticide use varies greatly from year to year. The research suggests that simplistic landscapes may not be better or worse than complex ones when it comes to insect pest problems.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2013

Authentic brain waves improve driver security

A new authentication system using brain wave biometrics can prevent vehicle hijacking and halt intoxicated drivers. The system continuously scans the driver's brain waves to verify their identity, ensuring safe operation of vehicles carrying valuable commodities and money.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biometrics·DateSep 5, 2013

Rice University wins neuroengineering grant

Rice University has been awarded a $2.8 million National Science Foundation grant to establish a multidisciplinary training program in neuroengineering for graduate students. The program, led by bioengineer Robert Raphael, will focus on problem-based learning and the development of online educational resources.

Keep stricter audit committee standards flexible, argues new study from the University of Toronto

A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that independent and financially-literate audit committees lead to higher firm values and less diversion of resources. The study suggests that regulators should maintain flexibility around rules requiring high-quality audit committees, particularly for smaller firms.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalThe Accounting Review·DateSep 5, 2013

Religious leaders can be key to biological diversity

A new study suggests that religious leaders, particularly those from Christianity, have the potential to guide conservation efforts and promote biodiversity preservation. The research highlights the importance of involving religious groups in the conservation debate, as they often shape people's ethical attitudes towards nature.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalOryx·DateSep 5, 2013

Social media + behavior psychology leads to HIV testing, better health behaviors

A UCLA study demonstrates that combining behavioral science with social media and online communities can lead to increased HIV testing and encouraged significant behavioral change among high-risk groups. The approach proved to be one of the best HIV-prevention methods on the Internet, with high retention rates and successful engagement.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 5, 2013

New recommendations for standardizing studies of thyroid hormone and disease from ATA taskforce

The American Thyroid Association's Taskforce on Approaches and Strategies to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Economy has released a comprehensive guide with 70 specific recommendations to standardize study design in thyroid research. This will lead to more standardized approaches, improving the comparability of results and informing the de...

Arresting model stops cars

Researchers in China have developed a mathematical model to design flexible vehicle-arrest systems that increase stopping distance and dissipate kinetic energy without destruction. The new system could lead to the development of intelligent vehicle-arrest systems with improved control at roadblocks and checkpoints.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Vehicle Design·DateSep 5, 2013

Clues in coral bleaching mystery

New research from Carnegie Institution for Science reveals that coral bleaching occurs even when algae are heat-stressed in the dark, suggesting novel mechanisms beyond toxic oxygen molecules. The study provides key details on the breakdown of photosynthetic apparatus and potential strategies to mitigate bleaching.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 5, 2013

Sleep deprivation increases food purchasing the next day

A new study found that sleep deprivation leads to increased food purchasing the following day, with participants buying more calories and grams of food. Additionally, ghrelin levels were higher after total sleep deprivation, but this increase did not correlate with food purchasing behavior.

SourceWiley·JournalObesity·DateSep 5, 2013

Researchers find new opportunites for waste heat

Physicists at the University of Houston have discovered a non-toxic material that can convert waste heat from vehicle tailpipes, industrial smokestacks, and power plants into electricity. The new compound, tin telluride with indium, shows promise in boosting vehicle mileage by up to 5% and power plant efficiency by as much as 10%.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2013

Made-to-order materials

Researchers at Caltech have developed a method to create nanostructured, hollow ceramic scaffolds with remarkable strength and resistance to failure. The small building blocks of the structure exhibit unusually high tensile strength despite being over 85% air.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 5, 2013

Hydrolyzed or non-hydrolyzed collagen: which one is suitable for nerve cell culture?

A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that hydrolyzed collagen is suitable for nerve cell culture due to its ability to facilitate cell survival and neurite outgrowth. Non-hydrolyzed collagen matrices had no obvious effects on these processes, making hydrolyzed collagen a promising tool for neural tissue engineering.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateSep 5, 2013

Researchers determine digestibility of blood products as feed in weanling pigs

Researchers at the University of Illinois have determined the amino acid digestibility of five blood products produced in the US to provide swine producers with guidance for formulating diets. The study found that spray-dried blood products were good sources of amino acids, while flash-dried products had lower digestibility.

Simulating Alzheimer's disease in transgenic mice

Researchers have developed an animal model to simulate the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease, focusing on the locus coeruleus. This study shows that degenerative alterations in noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus are consistent with pathological changes observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateSep 5, 2013

UCLA researchers describe new form of irritable bowel syndrome

Researchers at UCLA have identified a new form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that occurs after an acute bout of diverticulitis. The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that patients who developed IBS-like symptoms after diverticulitis may also experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateSep 5, 2013

Deep-ocean carbon sinks

A study by Tim Mattes and colleagues found that microorganisms in the dark ocean, below 600 feet, absorb considerable amounts of carbon. The team discovered sulfur-oxidizing microbes dominating carbon fixation at hydrothermal vents, which could provide insights into global biogeochemical cycles.

Young adults with autism found to have difficulty transitioning into employment

A study found that young adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant difficulties in transitioning into employment. Only half of this group had ever worked for pay outside the home, and only a third were employed at the time of the survey. However, outcomes improved for those who were older, from higher income househ...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 5, 2013

Research findings point to new therapeutic approach for common cause of kidney failure

Researchers have discovered a process defective in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a leading cause of kidney failure. Induced pluripotent stem cells from patients were reprogrammed to study human kidney disease mechanisms, revealing a potential therapeutic strategy by correcting a protein defect.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 5, 2013