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Science News for January 14, 2014


Should we make a film that audiences enjoy or nab an Oscar nomination?

UCLA researchers Gabriel Rossman and Oliver Schilke analyzed 25 years of data on mainstream cinema to discover the logic behind Hollywood's decisions. They found that filmmakers who make movies with "Oscar appeal" (often mocked as "Oscar bait") face a risk-and-reward structure similar to lobbyists, with costly bids for potential awards.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJan 14, 2014

Mindfulness helps undergraduates stay on track

A study by University of Miami researchers found that mindfulness training significantly reduces mind wandering in college students, improving attention and reducing stress. The seven-week program was highly effective in increasing focus and decreasing mind-wandering, with significant benefits for undergraduate students.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateJan 14, 2014

Illinois study identifies 3 risk factors most highly correlated with child obesity

A University of Illinois study found that inadequate sleep, parental BMI, and restrictive eating practices are the most significant risk factors for child obesity in preschoolers. The research suggests that addressing these risk factors can lead to a reduction in children's weight status.

Educated black men remembered as 'whiter'

Researchers discovered a skin tone memory bias where educated Black men are perceived as lighter-skinned, violating the stereotype of darker skin tones being more aggressive. This phenomenon distorts memory and reinforces existing cultural beliefs about race and intelligence.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateJan 14, 2014

Potential future data storage at domain boundaries

Researchers have discovered a physical phenomenon that could prove suitable for use in further data aggregation, allowing information to be stored in the tiniest of spaces. The discovery was made using advanced electron microscopes and computer simulations, and involves ferroelectric polar properties within antiferroelectric materials.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 14, 2014

Regenstrief and IU review finds lack of delirium screening in the emergency department

Delirium in older patients is frequently overlooked due to the lack of screening tools in emergency departments. The condition can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased mortality rates, and a higher risk of developing dementia. Researchers call for the development of emergency department-specific screening instruments to improve ...

SourceIndiana University·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJan 14, 2014

What your candles and TV screen have in common

Researchers discovered that paraffin wax molecules align similarly to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, revealing a new connection between seemingly disparate products. This finding has significant value for the plastics industry, which relies heavily on injection moulding processes.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJan 14, 2014

More than meets the eye

Researchers at UCSB and University of Bristol found that the brain can perform foveal analysis and peripheral selection during visual sampling independently and rapidly, without affecting accuracy. This specialized ability may be due to humans' need to maintain vigilance over their periphery while performing focused visual analysis.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 14, 2014

Younger people have 'high definition' memories

Researchers found that younger adults outperform older adults in visual working memory tasks, with a higher capacity for 'high definition' recall. This suggests that while older adults may store similar amounts of information, their memories are less detailed and impaired in recollection.

Mitochondrial genes matter!

Research at Uppsala University found that rare mitochondrial genes are associated with better survival and reproductive outcomes in a common beetle species. The study suggests that these genetic variations play a crucial role in maintaining genetic diversity.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 14, 2014