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Science News Archive August 2014 - Page 24


Page 24 of 31

What does 'diversity' mean to you? The answer may depend on your race

A study published in PSPB found that racial minority groups approach diversity differently, with African Americans prioritizing in-group representation and Asian Americans considering national statistics on discrimination. Understanding these differences is crucial for creating diverse teams and organizations.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 8, 2014

Individual genotype influences effectiveness of HIV vaccine

A recent study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that an individual's genotype correlates with their ability to develop immunity to HIV in response to vaccination. Researchers identified single nucleotide variations in genes involved in antibody production, which were associated with protection against HIV infection.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 8, 2014

Expecting to teach enhances learning, recall

A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that students who were told they would later teach a passage performed better on recall and organization tasks than those expecting a test. The study suggests that instilling an expectation to teach may be a simple, inexpensive intervention with the potential to increase learning ...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateAug 8, 2014

Editing HPV's genes to kill cervical cancer cells

Researchers at Duke University have successfully used CRISPR gene-editing to target and destroy two HPV genes responsible for cervical cancer cell growth. By hijacking the bacterial defense system, they were able to selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Virology·DateAug 8, 2014

Natural light in office boosts health

A new study by Northwestern University finds that office workers with natural light exposure have longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and improved quality of life. The study suggests that architects should prioritize natural daylight exposure in office environments to boost employee health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateAug 8, 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