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Science News Archive July 2014 - Page 26


Page 26 of 34

My brother's keeper

A study by Concordia University found that siblings naturally teach each other skills like counting, building towers, and recognizing shapes. The researchers observed spontaneous interactions between two children aged four and six, revealing that both older and younger siblings initiate learning activities.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Development·DateJul 9, 2014

Depressed men with prostate cancer are diagnosed later stage, get less effective therapies

A UCLA study found that depressed men with localized prostate cancer were more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive cancer, received less effective treatments, and had shorter survival times. The study identified demographic factors that contributed to the disparity in treatment and outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 9, 2014

Smokers with mental health issues cost UK nearly £2.5 billion a year

Research published in Tobacco Control finds that people with mental health issues who smoke incur significant economic costs due to premature death, lost productivity, and healthcare expenses. The total estimated annual cost is around £2.5 billion, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to help this group quit smoking.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalTobacco Control·DateJul 9, 2014

Night-time brilliance lights up political patronage

A new study by Monash University researchers links night-time light intensity to regional favouritism and GDP growth, finding that countries where political leaders were born tend to have higher night-time light levels and regional GDP. The study also highlights the impact of authoritarian leadership on foreign aid distribution.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateJul 9, 2014

Underage drinkers heavily exposed to magazine ads for alcohol brands they consume

A new study found that underage drinkers between 18 and 20 years old are heavily exposed to magazine advertising for the alcohol brands they consume most frequently. The study suggests a relationship between exposure to alcohol ads and consumption of specific brands, particularly among young females.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateJul 8, 2014

Ancient arachnid brought back to life

Researchers used exceptionally preserved fossils and computer graphics to recreate the most likely walking gait of a 410-million-year-old arachnid. The study, published in the Journal of Paleontology, provides new insights into the evolution of early land animals.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Paleontology·DateJul 8, 2014

Recalled yogurt contained highly pathogenic mold

A study by Duke University scientists identified a highly virulent strain of Mucor circinelloides fungus in Chobani yogurt that caused severe symptoms in consumers. The researchers found that the fungus can survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract and produce a lethal systemic infection in diabetic mice.

SourceDuke University·JournalmBio·DateJul 8, 2014

A hotspot for powerful cosmic rays

Researchers at the Telescope Array observatory detected a disproportionate number of high-energy cosmic rays emanating from a specific area in the northern sky. The discovery provides a promising lead in identifying the sources of these enigmatic particles, which are believed to originate from beyond our galaxy.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 8, 2014

Same genes drive maths and reading ability

A study published in Nature Communications found that around half of the genes influencing reading ability also impact mathematics skills. The research suggests a substantial overlap in genetic variants affecting both traits, with complex interactions between genetics and learning environment playing a crucial role.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 8, 2014

Underage drinkers overexposed to magazine advertising for the brands they consume

A new study reveals that underage drinkers are disproportionately exposed to the brand names of their preferred alcohols in magazine ads, which may encourage drinking initiation. The findings suggest that industry self-regulatory guidelines are inadequate in limiting ad placements to minimize exposure to young readers.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateJul 8, 2014

Virtual reality crowds produce real behavior insights

A team of researchers at Brown University developed a wireless virtual reality system to study how pedestrians interact with each other and how their individual behaviors generate patterns of crowd movement. The system, which allows for the creation of virtual crowds, has shown that people tend to match the speed and direction of their...