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Science News for August 26, 2014


In sync and in control?

A study by UCLA social scientists found that men who march in unison with others perceive a potential foe as smaller and less intimidating, leading to increased feelings of power and aggression. The researchers theorize that this phenomenon may be an evolutionary adaptation that favors individuals moving in coordination with groups.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalBiology Letters·DateAug 26, 2014

Targeting estrogen receptors prevents binge eating in mice

A study published in JCI Journals suggests that estrogen replacement therapy can suppress binge-eating behaviors in mice. The effect required the presence of estrogen receptors in serotonin neurons, and direct delivery of an estrogen conjugate also reduced binge eating in these animals.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 26, 2014

Sorting cells with sound waves

Researchers have devised a new way to separate cells by exposing them to sound waves as they flow through a tiny channel, overcoming existing cell-sorting technologies' limitations. The device successfully recovered about 71 percent of breast cancer cells from white blood cells in tests.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2014

Expanding the age of eligibility for measles vaccination could increase childhood survival in Africa

A new report by Princeton University researchers suggests that expanding the age of eligibility for measles vaccination from 12 to 15 months could significantly increase coverage in Africa. The study found that increasing the age range would have the most impact on countries with high rates of unvaccinated children.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalEpidemiology and Infection·DateAug 26, 2014

Coal's continued dominance must be made more vivid in climate change accounting

A new study from Princeton University and the University of California-Irvine finds that future coal-fired and natural-gas power plants will commit the world to decades and billions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The 'commitment accounting' method assigns all future emissions to the year a facility begins working, revealing a sig...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 26, 2014

HIV antibodies block infection by reservoir-derived virus in laboratory study

In a laboratory study led by NIH scientists, broadly neutralizing HIV-specific antibodies (bNAbs) were found to effectively block HIV from entering immune cells. The researchers also demonstrated that these antibodies could completely block HIV replication in infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2014

Study identifies upside to financial innovations

A new study by USC Marshall professor Gerard J. Tellis and colleagues reveals that financial innovations can deliver significant positive returns, particularly in the United States. The research found that radical innovations, such as home mortgages and auto loans, generate higher cumulative abnormal returns due to their ability to cha...

SourceUSC Marshall School of Business·JournalJournal of Product Innovation Management·DateAug 26, 2014

Study calls into question link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry found no statistically significant link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk after accounting for severe maternal depression. However, an increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisted even after controlling for factors related to a mother...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 26, 2014

New tool to probe cancer's molecular make-up

Researchers have developed a new method to identify and measure vital molecules that control cell behavior, paving the way for better diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring of cancer. The study identified over 200 protein kinases and created a technique to quantify their levels in biological samples.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 26, 2014

Piglet weaning age no bar to litter frequency

Research at the University of Adelaide found that providing daily contact with boars during lactation stimulates oestrus in sows, allowing for increased piglet weaning age without compromising litter frequency. This could lead to improved post-weaning growth and better welfare for piglets.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalAnimal Reproduction Science·DateAug 26, 2014

Key to speed? Elite sprinters are unlike other athletes -- deliver forceful punch to ground

Researchers at Southern Methodist University found that elite sprinters use a unique gait feature to maximize speed, delivering a firm and rapid punch to the ground upon contact. The study, which compared data from competitive sprinters to other fast-running athletes, suggests that there is only one way to achieve high speeds.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateAug 26, 2014

Sleep apnea treatment is effective for older people

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in older people, reducing daytime sleepiness and healthcare costs. The study found that CPAP can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of road accidents, heart disease, and other conditions associated with OSA.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateAug 26, 2014

Animals first flex their muscles

A 560-million-year-old fossil discovery in Newfoundland, Canada, has provided the oldest evidence of muscle tissue in animals. The find, named Haootia quadriformis, is a rare example of an Ediacaran animal with bundles of fibres similar to those found in modern cnidarians.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reports on 100 recent fetal surgeries for spina bifida

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has reported successful results from 100 recent cases of fetal surgery for spina bifida, achieving comparable outcomes to the landmark MOMS trial. The study found improved rates of shunting and pulmonary edema, as well as shorter operative times and decreased transfusion rates.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 26, 2014

Social inequalities in salt consumption remain

A study published in BMJ Open found that social inequalities in salt intake have hardly changed in Britain over the last decade, despite a national average salt reduction. The research suggests that poorer households still consume more salt than higher socio-economic groups, highlighting the need to address these disparities to achieve...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalBMJ Open·DateAug 26, 2014

A glucose meter of a different color provides continuous monitoring

Researchers developed a new continuous glucose monitoring material that changes color as glucose levels fluctuate, offering higher sensitivity and precision than current point measurements. The color-changing material is simple, low-cost to manufacture, and can be used for short-term monitoring of patients in intensive care units.

Competition for graphene

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have observed ultrafast charge transfer in MX2 materials, a new family of 2-D semiconductors. The recorded charge transfer time is comparable to the fastest times for organic photovoltaics, opening up potentially rich new avenues for photonics and optoelectronics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 26, 2014

New statin guidelines an improvement, Yale study shows

A Yale University study found that new national guidelines can accurately prescribe statins to patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. The research shows the new guidelines produce a modest increase in patient treatment, with only 92% of those with heavy plaque being assigned to statin therapy under the new method.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 26, 2014