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Science News Archive April 2014 - Page 9


Page 9 of 32

Cyber buddy is better than 'no buddy'

A Michigan State University researcher found that software-generated partners can be effective motivators during exercise, outperforming 'no buddy' conditions. The study, published in the Games for Health Journal, suggests potential applications for fitness game developers and may improve exercise outcomes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalGames for Health Journal·DateApr 23, 2014

Ravens understand the relations among others

Researchers found that ravens can deduce the rank relations of individuals in their own group as well as neighboring groups. They exhibited stress-related behaviors when encountering unexpected dominance reversals. This cognitive ability is similar to that of primates and suggests a complex social intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2014

Picture books aren't just fun

A new study from the University of Waterloo reveals that reading picture books with toddlers exposes them to sophisticated information about animals in a way that allows children to apply this knowledge broadly. Moms use generics and provide facts about animals when reading picture book stories.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 23, 2014

Fires in the Primorsky Province of Russia

Human-caused fires in the Primorsky Province of Russia are ravaging the landscape, with statistics showing that 94% of forest fires can be attributed to human activities. The uncontrolled burning of dry grass for centuries has led to widespread deforestation and degradation of forests, posing a significant threat to various species.

On the defensive

Researchers found that protein aggregates in Huntington's disease are not toxic, but rather a defense mechanism for stressed brain cells. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches by targeting the stress response instead of protein clusters.

Quality control guidelines for genomics studies

The proposed guidelines focus on study design, gene-variant implication, and database implications, emphasizing the need for detailed statistical analysis and evidence-based claims. Researchers highlight the importance of sharing genetic and clinical data to accelerate research and infrastructure development.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature·DateApr 23, 2014

Pollutants from coal-burning stoves strongly associated with miscarriages in Mongolia

A study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles found strong correlations between seasonal ambient air pollutants and pregnancy loss in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The researchers discovered a striking seasonal pattern of variation in miscarriage incidence, with increases in December due to increased hours of darkness and coldest temperatures.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·DateApr 23, 2014

Citizen scientists match research tool when counting sharks

Researchers found a strong correlation between shark abundance observed by citizen scientists and those identified by telemetry, suggesting that citizen science can be a cost-effective means to monitor shark populations. The study also showed that shark behavior was unaffected by tourist divers' presence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 23, 2014

Sleep disorder linked to brain disease

Researchers at the University of Toronto found a strong link between rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder and neurodegenerative brain diseases. Up to 90% of people with RBD will develop a brain disease, making it an important warning sign for clinicians.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·DateApr 22, 2014

NeuroPhage discovers GAIM-changing molecules to combat Alzheimer's and related diseases

Researchers have engineered a series of molecules with the potential to treat most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. The GAIM-changing molecules recognize characteristic common to many toxic misfolded proteins and can prevent new aggregates from forming while clearing existing ones.

SourceMacDougall Biomedical Communications, Inc.·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateApr 22, 2014

Biting vs. chewing

A Cornell study published in Eating Behaviors found that children aged 6-10 who ate whole foods like drumsticks and apples were twice as likely to disobey adults and exhibit aggressive behavior compared to those eating cut-up foods. The researchers suggest cutting food can help reduce rowdy behavior at mealtime.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalEating Behaviors·DateApr 22, 2014