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Science News for August 7, 2014


Should women 'man up' for male-dominated fields?

New research by Michigan State University scholars suggests that women applying for jobs in male-dominated fields should emphasize masculine traits, such as assertiveness and independence, to be seen as a better fit. This approach is seen as an effective strategy to counteract bias in the hiring process.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateAug 7, 2014

UTHealth researchers find infectious prion protein in urine of patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Researchers at UTHealth Medical School have found misfolded prion proteins in the urine of 13 out of 14 patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, providing a new potential diagnostic tool. This breakthrough could lead to the development of non-invasive tests for diagnosis and monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 7, 2014

Eating at fast food, full service restaurants linked to more calories, poorer nutrition

A new study by the American Cancer Society found that eating at both fast-food and full-service restaurants is associated with significant increases in calorie intake, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Adults who ate at restaurants consumed approximately 200 additional calories per day, regardless of whether they dined at fast-food or ...

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateAug 7, 2014

Water-polluting anxiety drug reduces fish mortality

A study published in Environmental Research Letters found that a commonly used anxiety drug can reduce mortality rates in fish. The results suggest that existing aquatic risk assessment tests may not be effective in detecting the potential benefits of pharmaceutical contaminants.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 7, 2014

Step closer to birth of the sun

Researchers have dated the final addition of heavy elements like gold and platinum to the solar system 100 million years before the sun's birth. This discovery has shed light on the sun's prehistory, including the duration of an 'incubation' period that preceded its formation.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience·DateAug 7, 2014

Is the gut microbiome a potential cause and therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis?

Researchers explore the link between gut microbiome and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, highlighting potential therapeutic targets. The study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune cell activity and cytokine production, which may impact susceptibility to and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·DateAug 7, 2014

Gut microbes browse along a gene buffet

Researchers at Duke University discovered that the host determines which genes are open in the gut, while microbes regulate their usage, indicating a cooperative environment where both parties interact to thrive. This study has significant implications for understanding the intricate relationships between hosts and microbiomes.

SourceDuke University·JournalGenome Research·DateAug 7, 2014

Diamonds are a quantum computer's best friend

Scientists propose a new quantum computer architecture based on microscopic defects in diamond, which could lead to the development of reliable quantum computers. The architecture has great potential for miniaturization and mass production, similar to how transistors were miniaturized in classical computer science.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateAug 7, 2014

Violent solar system history uncovered by WA meteorite

A Curtin University study of a WA meteorite has shed light on the solar system's bombardment history, revealing that asteroid collisions ceased after 3.4 billion years ago due to asteroids being too small or protected by regolith. The research suggests that impacts stopped occurring after this period and remain unchanged until now.

SourceCurtin University·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·DateAug 7, 2014

Study: Attending a more selective college doesn't mean a better chance of graduating

A new study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that attending a more selective college does not significantly impact a student's chance of graduating with a bachelor's degree. Instead, factors such as individual background characteristics and institutional resources like tuition play a crucial role in determin...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateAug 7, 2014

New disposable biosensor may help physicians determine which patients can safely be fed following surgery

A new disposable biosensor may help physicians determine which patients can safely be fed following surgery by monitoring intestinal movements. The device, AbStats, uses sound waves to measure the rate of acoustic events in the intestines, allowing doctors to make evidence-based decisions about post-operative feeding.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery·DateAug 7, 2014

The economy of bitcoins

Researchers found that internet activity significantly influences Bitcoin's value, with correlations between price developments, new user growth, and online searches. The study also identified two positive feedback loops and a negative feedback loop, highlighting the complex dynamics of the Bitcoin economy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalInterface·DateAug 7, 2014

Losing weight won't make you happy

New research finds that weight loss significantly improves physical health markers but is less effective in improving mood and overall wellbeing. Participants who lost at least 5% of their initial body weight were more likely to report depressed mood, even after adjusting for serious health issues.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 7, 2014

Researcher finds companies' religious affiliation can buffer negative reactions

A new study by Kelly Cowart reveals that companies' religious affiliations can buffer against negative reactions to store policies, especially in the event of a service failure. The research found that customers are more likely to forgive firms with religious affiliations, regardless of their own attitudes towards the religion.

SourceGrand Valley State University·JournalJournal of Services Marketing·DateAug 7, 2014

Acute psychological stress promotes skin healing in mice

Researchers found that brief acute psychological stress promotes healing in mouse models of three different types of skin irritations. The study revealed that the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal glands under stress are beneficial for inflammatory disorders and acute injury in both mice and humans.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateAug 7, 2014

Poor hearing confines older adults to their homes

Two studies found that older adults with poor hearing participate less in group activities and meet friends fewer often than those with good hearing. The researchers emphasize the importance of face-to-face conversation to facilitate lip-reading and suggest rehabilitation as a key strategy for supporting socially active lives.