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Science News for December 8, 2014


Many memories, many rooms

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that rats can create a unique map for every environment, allowing them to remember distinct locations without mixing up similar events. This discovery sheds light on the brain's storage capacity and memory organization.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2014

New model helps boost fishery profits and sustainability

A new model developed by economists at Duke University and the University of Connecticut helps fishermen boost profits by identifying the most efficient fishing practices and behaviors. The model found that in some cases, congestion can actually increase potential late-season profits and reduce the risk of fishery depletion.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateDec 8, 2014

The winds of Titan

Researchers used NASA wind tunnel to study threshold speeds for particle movement on Titan, finding higher speeds than predicted from Earth-based models. The findings can help understand atmospheric forces on icy moons and planets with thin or thick atmospheres.

Hookah smoking increases risk of subsequent cigarette smoking among adolescents

A Dartmouth study found that hookah smoking increased the probability of trying cigarette smoking over two years by 19%. Hookah and snus use are associated with later cigarette smoking in non-cigarette smoking adolescents and young adults. The study highlights the need for FDA regulation to restrict manufacturers' ability to flavor, pa...

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 8, 2014

Chesapeake Bay region streams are warming

Researchers found a significant warming trend in air and water temperatures over 51 years, with impacts on water quality, eutrophication, and aquatic life. Rising temperatures will lead to increased nutrient runoff and shifts in plant and animal distributions in the bay's freshwater rivers and streams.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalClimatic Change·DateDec 8, 2014

Glucokinase activation enhances sugar craving in rodents

Activation of glucokinase in the arcuate nucleus of rodents increased food intake and body mass, as well as preference for glucose. Inhibition of glucokinase decreased food consumption and glucose intake, indicating that glucokinase dysfunction may underlie glucose cravings.

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

Debate on safety of e-cigarettes continues

A recent article collection in BMC Medicine examines the safety of e-cigarettes, with two experts offering differing views on their impact. Peter Hajek argues that e-cigarettes are orders of magnitude safer than conventional cigarettes, while Charlotta Pisinger believes they can be less harmful but still pose health risks.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateDec 8, 2014

Punishing kids for lying just doesn't work

Researchers discovered that punishing children for lying can have the opposite effect, making them less likely to tell the truth. Children are more likely to lie if they're afraid of punishment than if they believe it's the right thing to do.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateDec 8, 2014

Scientists reveal parchment's hidden stories

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin and the University of York used genetic sequencing techniques to analyze DNA from parchment samples, revealing insights into livestock breeding history. The study sheds light on how agricultural development shaped animal genetics across centuries.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateDec 8, 2014

Penn State shares in NSF Critical Zone collaboration grant

The new Science Across Virtual Institutes project will create a shared platform for broader research at the nation's 10 CZO locations and international counterparts. This will enable scientists to establish common experiments and measurements, providing training for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

Shedding new light on the formation of emotional fear memories

A new study identifies a neural mechanism for translating unpleasant experiences into fear memories by changing amygdala connections. The findings suggest that Hebbian plasticity is partially correct but requires concurrent activation of noradrenaline to form memories.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2014

Experience counts with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, study shows

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that patients treated at highly-experienced radiation oncology centers had better survival rates and fewer cancer recurrences compared to those treated at less experienced centers. The study analyzed data from 470 patients treated with radiation therapy between 2002-2005.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 8, 2014

Rule of 3: Hormone triplet offers hope for obesity and diabetes

Researchers have successfully designed a substance combining three metabolically active hormone components (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) to fight metabolic diseases. The triple hormone reduces body weight by around 30 percent while improving insulin sensitivity, essentially curing obesity and diabetes in animal models.

Study finds early warning signals of abrupt climate change

A new study has found early warning signals of a reorganisation of the Atlantic Ocean's circulation, which could impact the global climate system. The researchers used a complex model to analyze the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), finding that these signs are present up to 250 years before it collapses.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2014

HPV vaccine, riskier sexual activity not linked researchers say

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has found that HPV vaccination does not lead to increased risky sexual behavior in young girls. The study followed 260,493 girls and found no significant increase in pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections among those who received the vaccine.

SourceQueen's University·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateDec 8, 2014

Hummingbird's hover surprisingly easy to hack

University of British Columbia researchers found that hummingbirds lose positional stability when exposed to moving visual patterns, even with prolonged exposure or combination of moving and stationary stimuli. This discovery highlights the complex relationship between a hummingbird's visual field and its ability to hover in place.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2014

Toughest breast cancer may have met its match

A team of researchers has discovered a way to make triple-negative breast cancer cells susceptible to chemotherapy by inhibiting the HIF protein network. The study found that HIF inhibitors can decrease tumor size and prevent relapse in mice, offering new hope for treatment-resistant patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2014

A pill for obesity?

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a system using human stem cells to screen for compounds that can turn white, or 'bad', fat cells into brown, or 'good' fat cells. They have identified two compounds that can accomplish this in human cells, taking the first step towards a potential pill for obesity treatment.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateDec 8, 2014

Two papers in Health Affairs expose gaps in health coverage for children, recommend solutions

Two Health Affairs papers expose gaps in health coverage for children and recommend solutions. The studies focus on the Affordable Care Act's essential health benefit standard, which has resulted in a state-by-state patchwork of coverage with significant exclusions for children with developmental disabilities.

High level engagement in comment sections can curb internet trolling

A recent study found that having a journalist engage with commenters can reduce incivility and increase the use of evidence in comments. The researchers partnered with a local television news station and conducted an experiment using its Facebook community, resulting in a statistically significant effect on the tone of the comments.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication·DateDec 8, 2014

Confounding factors contribute to unexpected results of trial of renal denervation

A new analysis of the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial reveals that variations in renal denervation procedure performance and patient medication changes significantly impacted blood pressure reduction outcomes. The study suggests that a higher number of ablations and specific procedural patterns may be key to achieving effective denervation.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateDec 8, 2014

Public servants are individually motivated to help environment

A new study by the University of Georgia found that public servants are motivated to contribute to environmental causes through discretionary eco-friendly initiatives. The researchers identified three key drivers of these behaviors: public service motivation, organizational commitment, and environmental connectedness.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe American Review of Public Administration·DateDec 8, 2014

Is natural gas a 'bridge' to a hotter future?

Researchers found that natural gas power plants are more efficient than coal plants, producing less warming in the long term. However, significant methane leakage can offset this benefit, making them comparable to coal plants in terms of climate impact. To mitigate this, carbon capture and storage methods may be necessary.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 8, 2014

Wind farms to do not affect property values, study finds

A new study from the University of Guelph analyzed over 7,000 home and farm sales in Ontario and found that wind farms have no statistically significant impact on property values. The research used a unique method to capture property value fluctuations before, during, and after wind farm development.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalCanadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d agroeconomie·DateDec 8, 2014

Pricing for new drugs lacks transparency

Market-access agreements for anti-cancer drugs lack transparency, leading to higher prices for patients in small and low-income countries. The financial arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers and health systems are kept confidential, making it difficult for these countries to negotiate lower prices.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateDec 8, 2014

Biomimetic dew harvesters

Researchers have discovered how a desert beetle collects dew on its back, which could lead to improved water yield in man-made dew condensers. The beetle's unique nanostructure allows for near-perfect infrared emissivity, enabling efficient cooling and dew formation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 8, 2014