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Science News for April 17, 2014


Our relationship with God changes when faced with potential romantic rejection

Researchers discovered that individuals with high self-esteem enhance their relationship with God when faced with romantic rejection threat. However, low self-esteem individuals do not leverage this resource. The study also found similar trends when threatening the individual's relationship with God versus a romantic partner.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateApr 17, 2014

Classifying cognitive styles across disciplines

Researchers propose a new, integrated framework of cognitive styles that eliminates confusing labeling and enables integration of findings on individual differences in cognition across different disciplines. The taxonomy offers a clear categorization of styles from various fields, highlighting the importance of adaptive patterns or sty...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateApr 17, 2014

New clues on tissue scarring in scleroderma

A Northwestern University discovery identifies a specific protein, fibronectin (FnEDA), as a key player in promoting fibrosis in people with scleroderma. The study found that blocking this protein's activity can prevent skin fibrosis in mice, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 17, 2014

Wireless power transfer achieved at 5-meter distance

Researchers at KAIST developed a new system for wireless power transfer with an extended range of up to 5 meters, making it possible to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The system uses a compact and scalable design with a low Q factor, achieving higher efficiency and reliability compared to previous technologies.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics·DateApr 17, 2014

Fear of the cuckoo mafia

Scientists confirm the mafia hypothesis, which suggests that birds cooperate with parasitic birds to avoid retaliation, increasing survival rates of parasites. Host birds must learn and adapt to reject foreign eggs, while parasites use their behavior to extort hosts.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 17, 2014

Connecting sleep deficits among young fruit flies to disruption in mating later in life

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found a critical link between sleep disruption in early life and adult courtship behavior in fruit flies. The team discovered that sleep deprivation affects dopamine production, leading to impaired development of courtship circuits and altered mating behavior.

Refining the language for chromosomes

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital propose a new Next-Gen Cytogenetic Nomenclature system to standardize chromosomal abnormality descriptions, improving clinical and research reports. The system focuses on nucleotide-level details, reducing errors and saving time in reporting.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 17, 2014

Unraveling the 'black ribbon' around lung cancer

A Michigan State University study highlights the emotional toll of lung cancer stigma, with patients feeling guilt, self-blame, and discomfort around healthcare providers. The research aims to raise awareness among healthcare providers and develop strategies to strengthen coping skills and symptom management for affected individuals.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEuropean Journal of Oncology Nursing·DateApr 17, 2014

Long-term effects of battle-related 'blast plus impact' concussive TBI in US military

A study of US military personnel with blast plus impact concussive TBI found that those with the injury experienced high levels of overall disability and a significantly increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorders. The study also highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of such injuries in military populations.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateApr 17, 2014

Proteomics discovers link between muscle damage and cerebral malaria

A multidisciplinary team of scientists analyzed over 1000 proteins in more than 700 children with and without malaria. They found elevated muscle-specific proteins in plasma that could distinguish cerebral malaria from other syndromes. These findings suggest a link between muscle damage and the severity of cerebral malaria.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 17, 2014

Drought and fire in the Amazon lead to sharp increases in forest tree mortality

A recent study found that severe droughts and repeated fires in the Amazon lead to high tree mortality rates, with 60% of trees dying in a single experiment. The researchers warn that climate change will exacerbate this issue, making it essential to implement policies and programs to control forest fires and prevent deforestation.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2014

Tracking flu levels with Wikipedia

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a method to estimate flu levels in the American population by analyzing Internet traffic on specific flu-related Wikipedia articles. The model performs well during severe influenza seasons and H1N1 pandemics, providing accurate near-realtime information about disease burden.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 17, 2014

Chickens to chili peppers

Researchers have found a genetic connection between chickens and chili peppers, suggesting that the latter were domesticated around the same time as humans. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used DNA analysis to reveal that yellow-skinned chickens became common only about 500 years ago.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2014

Study sheds light on how the immune system protects children from malaria

Researchers found that children living in malaria-endemic regions mount an immune response to infection with malaria parasites, enabling them to partially control parasite growth and avoid repeated fever. This exposure-dependent control of inflammation may have evolved to protect young children from life-threatening illness.

JCI online ahead of print table of contents for April 17, 2014

Researchers developed a double-stapled peptide that prevents RSV infection by stabilizing its structure, allowing for effective prevention in both cell culture and murine models. Additionally, intranasal and intratracheal delivery methods were found to be effective in preventing nasopulmonary infection.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 17, 2014

Chiral breathing: Electrically controlled polymer changes its optical properties

A Polish-German-Italian team developed a polymer with unique optical and electrical properties. It can change its chirality depending on the electric potential applied, mimicking 'chiral breathing'. The material is suitable for polarisation filters, window glasses, and chemical sensors.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 17, 2014

The ilk of human kindness

Researchers found that compassionate behaviors are associated with better health and well-being as we age. The study identified three factors predictive of self-reported compassion: gender, recent suffering, and high mental resiliency.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateApr 17, 2014

Deadly human pathogen Cryptococcus fully sequenced

Researchers have fully sequenced the Cryptococcus neoformans genome, providing a playbook to understand its pathogenesis and develop methods to combat its evolution into deadlier strains. The study reveals genetic changes that occur after laboratory handling, making the fungus more susceptible to stress and less virulent.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 17, 2014

Massage therapy improves circulation, eases muscle soreness

A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that massage therapy improves systemic circulation and alleviates muscle soreness after exercise. The study also showed that massage has benefits for people regardless of their level of physical activity, improving vascular function in healthy sedentary adults.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateApr 17, 2014

Thinnest feasible membrane produced

The team of researchers produced a stable porous membrane that is thinner than a nanometre, consisting of two layers of graphene on which tiny pores were etched. The membrane can permeate tiny molecules and may be used for waterproof clothing, water filtration, or gas separation.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2014

Newlyweds, be careful what you wish for

A statistical analysis of online wedding registries reveals that gift givers prioritize either social benefits or saving money, resulting in a bimodal distribution of price preferences. The study provides insights into the psychology behind wedding gift giving and its potential impact on marketing strategies.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing·DateApr 17, 2014

BUSM researchers find anti-seizure drug may reduce alcohol consumption

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that the anti-seizure drug ezogabine reduced alcohol consumption in an experimental model, providing a potential new mechanism for treating alcoholism. The study suggests that drugs targeting the Kv7 channel may be effective in reducing drinking behavior.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·DateApr 17, 2014

Building 'smart' cell-based therapies

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new technology to modify human cells for programmable therapeutics that can target cancer and disease sites. The Modular Extracellular Sensor Architecture (MESA) enables cells to sense specific factors and respond with customized gene expression programs.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateApr 17, 2014