Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2014 - Page 61


Page 61 of 376

Sadness lasts longer than other emotions

A study found that sadness lasts up to 240 times longer than shame, surprise, or boredom, likely due to its association with significant life events. Researchers discovered that emotions associated with low event importance have shorter durations.

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateOct 30, 2014

Young adults ages 18 to 26 should be viewed as separate subpopulation in policy and research

The Institute of Medicine and National Research Council report highlights the critical period of young adulthood, characterized by brain maturation and increasing health risks. The committee calls for improved educational, economic, social, and health supports to promote equal opportunities and reduce disparities among young adults.

Experts recommend tumor removal as first-line treatment for acromegaly

Acromegaly is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor in the pituitary gland, leading to excessive growth hormone production and various health complications. The Endocrine Society recommends surgery as the primary therapy for most patients, offering an opportunity to examine the tumor sample and immediately lower growth hormone levels.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 30, 2014

Heart's own immune cells can help it heal

Researchers found that beneficial immune cells originate in the embryonic heart and can promote regeneration, while harmful macrophages come from the bone marrow. Blocking the influx of bone marrow-derived macrophages protects the resident macrophages, allowing them to promote repair and reduce inflammation.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2014

Can parents make their kids smarter?

A new study by Florida State University professor Kevin Beaver found that parenting-related behaviors, such as reading bedtime stories and eating family dinners, have no influence on verbal intelligence. The study used an adoption-based research design to rule out genetic transmission as the reason for any potential effects.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalIntelligence·DateOct 30, 2014

Harnessing error-prone chips

Researchers at MIT have developed a new system, Chisel, that enables programmers to prioritize energy savings over computational accuracy in certain applications. The system uses a tool to help programmers evaluate the acceptable level of error and automatically assigns instructions to unreliable hardware components.

Navigation and location can occur without external cues

Researchers at The University of Queensland found that animal brains can use a memory map to estimate location without external cues. Even in complete disorientation, the brain can accurately estimate location by self-motion cues such as walking. The study highlights the importance of understanding how the brain processes spatial infor...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 30, 2014

Nanosafety research: The quest for the gold standard

Poorly executed nanosafety experiments have led to a lack of new knowledge, with most projects being irreproducible due to inadequate particle characterization. The 'NanoScreen' programme aims to address this issue by providing pre-validated methods for lab experiments using standardized test materials.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 29, 2014

The science of charismatic voices

A study by Rosario Signorello found that speakers with a wide range of frequency variation in their voices are more likely to be perceived as dominant. The researchers also discovered that speakers with a low fundamental rate of vocal fold vibration are perceived as more dominant than those with high F0 frequencies.

Evolution of competitiveness

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the evolution of competitiveness tends to diversify, with some individuals avoiding competition and others investing heavily. This divergence can lead to population extinction if external pressures fuel an 'arm's race' towards higher competitiveness.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 29, 2014

Supersonic laser-propelled rockets

Researchers at Optica have developed a hybrid approach that integrates laser-ablation propulsion with gas blasting nozzles, increasing thrust efficiency. This innovation enables supersonic speeds for launching small satellites and accelerating aircraft to Mach 10 and beyond.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateOct 29, 2014

Decades of research: Effectiveness of phone counseling for cancer patients still unknown

A recent study published in Psycho-Oncology highlights the need for well-designed trials to determine the effectiveness of phone counseling interventions for cancer survivors. The research found that while some studies showed significant improvement, the results were not robust across multiple end points or studies.