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Science News for June 4, 2014


NIDA review summarizes research on marijuana's negative health effects

A recent review in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that marijuana use is associated with increased risks of addiction, impaired critical thinking and memory functions, and lower IQ in teens. The study also highlights the need for physicians to convey to families the potential health consequences of early marijuana use.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2014

Tree hugging helps koalas keep their cool

Researchers found koalas in Australia's tropical northeast choose trees with trunks over 5°C cooler than air temperature to rest and cool down. This behavior helps reduce heat stress, with access to these trees saving about half the water a koala needs on hot days.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 4, 2014

Drug trial shows promise for treating constipation caused by pain medicines

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that naloxegol increased bowel movements among patients with opioid-induced constipation, providing rapid and sustained relief without compromising pain management. The investigational drug is designed to block opioids from binding to receptors in the gastrointestinal t...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2014

Feeding increases coral transplant survival

A study published in PLOS ONE found that feeding juvenile corals prior to transplantation significantly improved their survival rates. Coral recruits fed with a higher amount of food grew faster and larger than unfed corals, leading to higher post-transplantation survivorship.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 4, 2014

Weight gain following antidepressant use examined

Researchers found that antidepressants with certain properties contribute less to weight gain than others, which could influence treatment preferences for patients at risk of weight gain. The study analyzed data from a large healthcare system and identified differences in weight gain rates among various antidepressant medications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 4, 2014

Has solar activity influence on the Earth's global warming?

A recent study reveals significant resonance cycles between solar activity and Earth's surface temperature, providing a possible explanation for recent global warming. The research uses wavelet analysis and cross-correlation methods to investigate the periodicities of solar activity and its correlations with the Earth's temperature dur...

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateJun 4, 2014

You catch (and kill) more flies with this sweetener

Researchers at Drexel University found that erythritol is toxic to fruit flies in a dose-dependent manner. The sweetener is safe for human consumption, unlike other pesticides that have caused accidental poisonings. Further studies will be conducted on other insects and the compound's effects on the food chain.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 4, 2014

Shaken, not stirred: Control over complex systems consisting of many quantum particles

Researchers at TU Vienna develop a new method to utilize quantum mechanical vibrations for high precision measurements in complex multi-particle systems. They successfully control hundreds of Rubidium atoms in an ultracold Bose-Einstein condensate, enabling the use of collective motional states for interferometric measurements.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2014

Dad's alcohol consumption could influence sons' drinking, Pitt study finds

A new animal study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that male mice exposed to alcohol before breeding had less likely offspring who consumed less alcohol and were more sensitive to its effects. The study suggests environmental factors, such as epigenetics, may play a role in shaping drinking behaviors.

New app collects wildlife-vehicle collision data

A new smartphone-based system, WVC Reporter, increased reporting efficiency, improved accuracy, and enhanced data visualization. Reports using the app produced more accurate locations, were entered quicker, and had a lower data entry error rate than manual reports.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 4, 2014

BMJ urged to widen its approach to transparency

A group of New Zealand health policy researchers has called on the BMJ to be more transparent about its publications, particularly when it comes to funding and conflicts of interest. The researchers argue that the BMJ accepted a report without disclosing the funding source, which was paid by the Canterbury District Health Board.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalThe BMJ·DateJun 4, 2014

Are squiggly lines the future of password security?

A new study by Rutgers University researchers found that free-form gestures on smartphones can be used to unlock phones and grant access to apps, making them harder for hackers to steal passwords. The gestures were shown to be more secure than traditional typed passwords or newer 'connect-the-dots' grid exercises.

Disinfection caps successful in CLABSI prevention

A two-year study found that using alcohol-impregnated caps reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) by 68%, with 80% of infections related to inadequate hub cleaning. This simple intervention saved over $1 million in hospital costs, making it an easy addition to infection prevention strategies.

First intact skull of Mediterranean worm lizard found

A new species of Mediterranean worm lizard, Blanus mendezi, has been identified with the discovery of its first intact skull, providing insights into the evolution of this poorly known group of reptiles. The fossil, dated to 11.6 million years ago, features a well-preserved skull and vertebrae, shedding light on the species' history.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 4, 2014

Quantum criticality observed in new class of materials

Physicists at Rice University have discovered a new class of materials that exhibit quantum criticality, a phenomenon closely related to high-temperature superconductivity. The research provides valuable insights into the behavior of heavy fermion metals, which could lead to a broader understanding of quantum criticality.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 4, 2014

Five-question clinical tool the first to help screen risk of violence in military veterans

A new 5-question clinical tool, VIO-SCAN, can help clinicians screen for risk of violence in military veterans by considering financial stability, combat experience, alcohol misuse, and PTSD plus anger. The study highlights the need to focus on non-PTSD factors beyond just PTSD when understanding violence in veterans.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJun 4, 2014

Study discovers the downside of African-American success stories

A recent study by Clayton Critcher and Jane L. Risen found that exposure to African-American success stories can lead to a misguided perception that these individuals simply need to work harder to achieve their goals. This misinterpretation can have significant implications for perceptions of race relations in America. The study's find...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 4, 2014