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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 13


Page 13 of 34

Safety first, children

A University of Iowa study found that mothers and children often disagree on the danger of situations, but mothers can bring their child's thinking around with effective conversations. Mothers use a specific tactic to explain why a situation is dangerous, focusing on present features rather than potential outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateMar 20, 2014

School hearing tests do not detect noise exposure hearing loss

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that school hearing tests cannot effectively detect noise exposure-induced high-frequency hearing loss in adolescents. The tests primarily focus on low-frequency hearing loss and may not accurately identify hearing issues caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Medical Screening·DateMar 20, 2014

3-D model links facial features and DNA

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new method to link genetic markers with facial features, allowing for the extraction of individual gene effects on facial shape. This breakthrough could lead to improved forensic analysis and better understanding of human genetics.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2014

Making life simpler for control freaks

Two brothers propose that all complex systems fall into just three basic categories, enabling control through understanding critical control points. This framework has implications for controlling economic systems, biological processes, and social networks.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2014

Excessive deer populations hurt native plant biodiversity

A study by researchers from the University of Miami and University of Pittsburgh finds that high deer populations facilitate garlic mustard population explosion while suppressing native trillium plants. Deer exclusion reversed invasive species growth, supporting an ecological theory where native plants exert biotic resistance.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 20, 2014

New tool pinpoints genetic sources of disease

Researchers have developed a new tool that combines genetic and epigenetic data to identify the underlying causes of complex diseases. By analyzing overlapping patterns, scientists can pinpoint specific genetic variants linked to conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 20, 2014

Initiation of dialysis for acute kidney injury potentially dangerous for frail patients

A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) is potentially hazardous for frail patients with lower creatinine concentration levels. In contrast, more robust patients experience increased survival and reduced mortality when receiving dialysis. These findings highlight ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 20, 2014

New study shows we work harder when we are happy

Researchers found that happiness significantly increases productivity in the workplace, with participants producing 12% more work under happy conditions. The study suggests that employers can improve employee satisfaction and boost productivity by implementing employee support programs.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Labor Economics·DateMar 20, 2014

Emergency room use rose slightly after implementation of Massachusetts health care law

Emergency department usage in Massachusetts rose by up to 2.2% after the implementation of a 2006 state law expanding health care access, according to a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found that increased insurance coverage reduced financial barriers to care but did not significantly impact access to timely ...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMar 20, 2014

Scientists discover potential way to make graphene superconducting

Researchers at SLAC and Stanford University discovered a potential way to make graphene superconducting, which could transform the engineering of materials for nanoscale electronic devices. They found that electrons scatter between graphene and calcium layers, interacting with natural vibrations to conduct electricity without resistance.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2014

Scientists find mechanism to reset body clock

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a new mechanism that governs how body clocks react to changes in the environment. The enzyme casein kinase 1epsilon (CK1epsilon) controls how easily the body's clock can be adjusted or reset by environmental cues such as light and temperature.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 20, 2014

Fauci: Robust research efforts needed to address challenge of antimicrobial resistance

The threat of antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that requires a multi-faceted approach, including strong basic, clinical and translational research. NIAID's new directions in antimicrobial resistance research aim to develop vaccines, point-of-care diagnostics, and new antibiotics to prevent and treat infections.