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Science News Archive June 2014


Page 1 of 33

Study reveals that many people are oblivious to how they come across to counterparts and colleagues

Research from Columbia Business School finds most people misjudge their assertiveness, often thinking they're seen as appropriate when others see them as too hot or too cold. The study also reveals that those who get assertiveness right often mistakenly think they've gotten it wrong, leading to costly repairs and missed deals.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 30, 2014

St. John's wort can cause dangerous interactions with many common medications

A large-scale search of a national medical database found that St. John's wort is often prescribed with medications that may result in adverse reactions, such as serotonin syndrome or heart disease. The study highlights the importance of caution when combining St. John's wort with other medications.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateJun 30, 2014

Tropical countries' growing wealth may aid conservation

A new study finds that tropical countries with rising middle-class incomes are willing to pay more for conservation, but government actions lag behind. Public surveys in Malaysia showed people willing to pay $437 a year per hectare to protect forests from logging and poaching.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2014

19th century math tactic gets a makeover -- and yields answers up to 200 times faster

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have made a rarely used math strategy called the Jacobi method work significantly faster, potentially speeding up computer simulations in aerospace design, shipbuilding, and other engineering tasks. The updated method could solve problems that previously took 200 days to solve in just one day.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Computational Physics·DateJun 30, 2014

Body odor reveals malarial infection

Researchers found that malaria parasites manipulate host body odor to make infected individuals more attractive to hungry mosquitoes. Even after symptoms have subsided, the scent of infected mice remained elevated for life, suggesting a lifelong impact on the disease.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2014

Cellular team players

Researchers at Technical University of Munich used FRET methodology to observe interaction between Hsp90, P23 and ATP. They found that P23 strengthens ATP bonding, increasing energy production. This breakthrough reveals the importance of cooperation in cellular energy generation.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2014

Researchers unzip nanotubes by shooting them at 15,000 mph

Researchers at Rice University have found a way to unzip carbon nanotubes into graphene nanoribbons without using chemicals, by firing them at high speeds. The process works by hitting the nanotubes broadside or lengthwise, resulting in ribbons with ragged edges that can be used for strength and electrical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 30, 2014

Research reveals a gender gap in the nation's biology labs

A new study found that women are greatly underrepresented in the labs of high-achieving male biology professors, despite being overrepresented overall. This discrepancy may be due to self-selection or unconscious bias, and institutions can take steps to address these issues by making their labs more welcoming to female scientists.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2014

First pediatric autism study conducted entirely online

The study found that the Internet-based trial was a valuable platform for conducting the randomized clinical trial and proved to be both cost and time effective. The researchers successfully enrolled 57 children from 28 states into the trial, which was completed in three months with a high completion rate.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 30, 2014

Common herbal supplement can cause dangerous interactions

A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that St. John's wort use was associated with 28% of potentially harmful combinations in analyzed data. The herbal supplement can reduce the effectiveness of various medications, leading to impaired treatment outcomes and increased risk of conditions like serotonin syndrome.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateJun 30, 2014

Research proves shock wave from explosives causes significant eye damage

A recent study by UTSA researchers reveals that the shock wave from explosive blasts can cause significant eye damage, leading to partial or total blindness. The optic nerve is particularly vulnerable to injury, even at low pressures, and may be a contributing factor to visual deficits associated with traumatic brain injuries.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateJun 30, 2014

Forelimb bone data predicts predator style

A new classification system can predict hunting behaviors of mammals from forelimb bone measurements. The system distinguishes between ambush predators, pursuit predators, and pouncing predators with high accuracy. It was developed based on analysis of 62 specimens of 37 species, including the Thylacine.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Morphology·DateJun 30, 2014

Adults can undo heart disease risk

A Northwestern Medicine study found that adults who adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors in their 30s and 40s can control and potentially reverse coronary artery disease. The study also showed that losing healthy habits as they age leads to a measurable negative impact on heart health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCirculation·DateJun 30, 2014

One-third of knee replacements classified as inappropriate

A recent study reveals that over one third of knee replacement surgeries in the US were deemed inappropriate, citing variation in knee pain and functional loss. The findings emphasize the need for standardized patient selection criteria among medical professionals to ensure effective use of this procedure.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 30, 2014

Cocaine addiction: Phase-specific biology and treatment?

Researchers found that impulsivity plays a crucial role in cocaine addiction, with highly impulsive rats taking longer to develop habits. The study identified specific phases of addiction where dopamine receptor blockers may be effective in treating compulsive cocaine use.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJun 30, 2014

WSU researchers chart an ancient baby boom

Researchers charted an ancient baby boom in the southwestern US among Native Americans between 500 to 1300 A.D. Birth rates likely exceeded the highest in the world today, driven by early features of civilization such as farming and food storage. However, a crash followed, offering a warning sign about the dangers of overpopulation.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 30, 2014

Bosses use private social media more than staff

Researchers found that managers are more likely to privately browse social media during work hours, contradicting their negative views on the practice. The study revealed that top executives' longer working hours and blurred lines between work and leisure contribute to this behavior.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication·DateJun 30, 2014

The Lancet: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act catalyses unprecedented collaboration between health care and public health

The Affordable Care Act can improve the US population's health by focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, and early detection. The Act promotes collaboration between healthcare and public health systems, leading to better quality services and greater integration of public health entities into healthcare.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 30, 2014

New research study shows huge savings for health care

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that current standard medical guidelines for childhood cancer survivors can be reduced, saving large cost-savings and little reduction in overall quality of patient care. The study suggests that screenings can be safely done cost-effectively and improve the quantity of patie...