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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 47


Page 47 of 376

Did men evolve navigation skills to find mates?

A University of Utah study found that men with better spatial skills traveled farther and had more children with multiple women. The researchers tested members of two African tribes and discovered a link between spatial ability, navigation, and reproductive success.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateNov 12, 2014

Valuable movies and valued movies may be two different things

A study of 582 films over 30 years reveals that entertainment can be more important than a simple diversion, providing audiences with ways to grapple with life's questions. Serious movies may not sell as well as action flicks at the box office, but they are still deeply appreciated and memorable.

SourcePenn State·JournalMass Communication & Society·DateNov 12, 2014

In preschoolers, office test overestimates eye's ability to change focus, reports Optometry and Vision Science

A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that preschoolers' ability to change focus is lower than subjective tests suggest. The test results showed a significant difference between the objective and subjective measures of accommodation amplitude in young children, with the former being about half of the latter.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateNov 12, 2014

Shaking the topological cocktail of success

Researchers at ETH Zurich create an artificial graphene system that breaks time-reversal symmetry using laser beams and ultracold atoms. This setup enables the testing of the topological Haldane model, a concept first proposed in 1988, and paves the way for new electronic applications.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 12, 2014

Electronic 'tongue' to ensure food quality

A low-cost electronic tongue has been developed to detect various substances in samples, including food, water, and blood, enabling accurate quality checks and monitoring for pollutants. The device's precision and affordability make it suitable for applications in medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical testing, and environmental monitoring.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 12, 2014

Not all elderly Americans will surf to health

A study finds that elderly Americans with low health literacy are less likely to use the internet for health information. Interventions targeting health literacy among older adults may help bridge the digital divide.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 12, 2014

Mongoose sentinels respond flexibly to threats

Dwarf mongooses show real-time behavioral plasticity in response to threat indicators, altering their behavior based on environmental conditions and social signals. This flexible decision-making allows them to optimize foraging time versus vigilance, ensuring survival in a vulnerable predator-rich environment.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateNov 12, 2014

Fighting crime through crowdsourcing

University of Miami researchers create a new model combining human and machine efforts to solve complex tasks, improving accuracy in face recognition. The crowdsourced approach leverages the power of social networks and smartphones to facilitate efficient analysis.

Gene sequencing projects link two mutations to Ewing sarcoma subtype with poor prognosis

A collaboration between St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project and Institut Curie-Inserm identified frequent mutations in genes STAG2 and TP53 that define a subtype of Ewing sarcoma associated with reduced survival. The study provides critical insights into the genetic changes that d...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCancer Discovery·DateNov 12, 2014

A piece of the quantum puzzle

Researchers at UCSB's Martinis Lab successfully demonstrated a quantum version of Gauss's law using superconducting qubits. The team achieved full control over a two-qubit system, enabling precise measurement of local curvature through movement, showcasing the power of arbitrary control in quantum simulation.

Understanding natural compounds

Researchers develop computer-based method to predict mechanism of action of natural substances, identifying potential target structures for 210,000 compounds. The software breaks down molecules into smaller fragments, discovering essential parts for the mechanism of action, which can be used to design less complex and easier-to-synthes...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 12, 2014

Errors in single gene may protect against heart disease

Researchers found that people with one inactive copy of the NPC1L1 gene had lower LDL cholesterol levels and a 50% reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The study suggests that targeting this gene may provide protection against heart attack, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 12, 2014

Atomic timekeeping, on the go

Researchers at MIT and Draper Laboratory have developed a new atomic timekeeping approach that could enable more stable and accurate portable atomic clocks. The system suppresses the AC Stark shift effect, allowing for smaller, less expensive devices with improved accuracy compared to current fountain clocks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review A·DateNov 12, 2014