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Science News Archive February 2014 - Page 14


Page 14 of 30

Game-winning momentum is just an illusion

A new study from Cornell University researchers challenges the notion that momentum plays a significant role in sports performance. Despite appearances, winning streaks have little to do with momentum. Winning the first game of a weekend series does not impact the probability of winning the second, according to the study.

SourceCornell University·JournalEconomics Letters·DateFeb 17, 2014

Researchers discover how ALS spreads

A study led by University of British Columbia researchers reveals how the fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS is transmitted from cell to cell. The research shows that misfolded non-mutant SOD1 can be transmitted regionally in the nervous system, offering a molecular explanation for ALS progression.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014

Sochi games influenced by Lake Placid winter Olympics of 1932

The 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics were shaped by the need for a world-class bobsled facility after eight crashes marred practice runs. The site's design, including unique drops and upward slopes, has influenced Sochi's slide, highlighting the Olympic Games' ongoing struggle with safety and environmental concerns.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Sport History·DateFeb 17, 2014

Ancient herring catch nets fisheries weakness

A new study utilizing archaeological reports of over half a million fish bones from Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State found that long-ago herring populations were consistently abundant and widespread for thousands of years. This contrasts with today's dwindling and erratic herring numbers.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014

Outsmarting nature during disasters

Geophysicist Seth Stein warns that humans are often outsmarted by nature during disasters, causing unnecessary damage despite expensive mitigation measures. Stein advocates for a thoughtful approach to disaster preparedness, integrating science, economics, and policy formulation to make informed decisions.

Theory on origin of animals challenged: Animals needs only extremely little oxygen

A study of a sea sponge reveals that complex life can survive with extremely low oxygen levels, challenging the long-held theory that high oxygen levels were necessary for animal evolution. This finding suggests alternative ecological and evolutionary mechanisms may have played a role in the origin of animals.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014

What good are footprints?

The Yale School of Environment journal examines the benefits and limitations of environmental footprinting, a concept that summarizes human impact on the planet. The field continues to evolve, offering new opportunities for collaboration and precision in assessing sustainability.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateFeb 17, 2014

A better way to purify peptide-based drugs

A new method for purifying peptide-based drugs has been developed by a chemist at Michigan Technological University, separating perfect peptides from those that don't make the grade in just two hours. The process reduces waste and is cheaper than existing methods, offering a promising alternative for treating diseases like cancer and HIV.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalOrganic Letters·DateFeb 17, 2014

Kidney cancer reveals its weak link

Kidney cancer cells exhibit distinct metabolic differences compared to other cancers, providing a potential weak link for diagnosis and treatment. This discovery opens the door to new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for detecting kidney cancer at an early stage.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014

Experimental drug could enhance multiple myeloma and myeloid leukemia therapies

A pre-clinical study suggests that dinaciclib, a CDK inhibitor, can improve the effectiveness of certain therapies for multiple myeloma and myeloid leukemia by disrupting the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cancer cells. The UPR is a cell survival mechanism that allows cancer cells to combat damage caused by anti-cancer agents.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateFeb 17, 2014

Researchers warn against abrupt stop to geoengineering method

A new study published in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters warns that abrupt stopping of the geoengineering method could lead to rapid and extensive warming. The researchers found that global temperatures could more than double if the method is implemented for a multi-decadal period and then suddenly stopped.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 17, 2014

Caps not the culprit in nanotube chirality

Rice University researchers conducted a two-year census of 4,500 possible cap formations for nanotubes, finding that the elastic energy landscapes involved in cap formation do not dictate the nanotube's chirality. Instead, other factors such as catalyst interaction and energy landscape play a crucial role.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 17, 2014

Targeted campaigns provoke judges to cater to majority sentiment on the death penalty

Researchers found that judges are more likely to side with public majority sentiment on the death penalty after being targeted by moneyed interest groups. The study used a large dataset of over 12,000 votes from 27 years and found that judicial behaviors changed with the rise of new-style campaigns.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateFeb 17, 2014

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 17, 2014

A neurotensin conjugate has shown effective transportation across the blood brain barrier and dose-dependent pain relief in animal models. In contrast, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been found to impact T cell repertoire in multiple sclerosis patients, with diverse repertoires associated with better treatment responses.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 17, 2014

Ben-Gurion U. researchers reveal that organic agriculture can pollute groundwater

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University found that liquid fertilizing techniques through drip irrigation result in lower groundwater pollution rates compared to intensive organic farming. High nitrate concentrations in aquifer water lead to drinking-water well shutdowns due to down leaching of nitrates under intensive organic farming.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014