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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 23


Page 23 of 34

Turing's theory of morphogenesis validated 60 years after his death

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Brandeis University have provided experimental evidence validating Alan Turing's theory of morphogenesis in cell-like structures. The study confirms the prediction of six different patterns and discovers a seventh, demonstrating how identical biological cells differentiate into distinct...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2014

Most of the sand in Alberta's oilsands came from eastern North America, study shows

A University of Calgary-led study has found that the majority of sand in Alberta's oilsands came from the Appalachian region on eastern North America. Researchers used a technique called detrital zircon uranium-lead geochronology to determine the age of individual sediment grains, revealing a range of ages from 300 to 2,800 million yea...

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Sedimentary Research·DateMar 12, 2014

Genes bring music to your ears

Researchers analyzed the genomes of 767 individuals for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to identify genetic loci related to musical aptitude. The study found associations with genes involved in inner-ear development, auditory pathways, and emotional processing.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 12, 2014

Countering the caregiver placebo effect

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new trial design to counter the caregiver placebo effect in veterinary medicine. The study found that a low-dose pain medication was effective in cats with degenerative joint disease, despite owners' initial perceptions of improvement due to the placebo effect.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·DateMar 12, 2014

Wishing to be another gender: Links to ADHD and autism spectrum disorders

A study found that children with autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are 7.59 times and 6.64 times more likely to express gender variance than their peers without these conditions. Participants with gender variance also experienced elevated anxiety and depression symptoms, but to a lesser extent among...

SourceSpringer·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateMar 12, 2014

Boosting self-esteem prevents health problems for seniors

A Concordia University study found that maintaining or improving self-esteem can help prevent health problems in seniors. The research team measured cortisol levels, self-esteem, stress, and symptoms of depression in 147 adults aged 60 and over, revealing a strong association between declining self-esteem and increased cortisol levels.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateMar 12, 2014

Gene therapy for lysosomal storage disease shown to be safe and well tolerated

A new gene therapy approach has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in a clinical trial of four children with mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA, an inherited lysosomal storage disease. The treatment involved delivering therapeutic genes via an adeno-associated viral vector, resulting in improved brain shrinkage and behavioral changes.

New gene for bipolar disorder discovered

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified two new gene regions linked to bipolar disorder, bringing hope for new treatments. The research, involving over 24,000 patients and healthy individuals, sheds light on the genetic factors contributing to the complex condition.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2014

The business of fear: Can our favorite products provide emotional support?

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that brands can act as a replacement source of emotional attachment when a person-to-person support system is not available. Researchers discovered that exposure to fear can increase positive emotional brand attachment, leading to stronger consumer connections with brands.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 11, 2014

Type 1 diabetes in adults: Antibody affinity is decisive

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have found that GAD antibody affinity is a key indicator of LADA disease progression. The study used GAD vaccination to examine the impact on antibody affinity in 46 LADA patients, finding no influence from vaccination. Patients with high affinity had low insulin production and required insulin therapy s...

Light pollution impairs rainforest regeneration

A recent study found that light pollution impedes fruit-eating bats from dispersing seeds, which is crucial for tropical forest regeneration. As a result, seed rain is reduced, threatening the natural succession of forests in illuminated habitats.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateMar 11, 2014

Healthy food is good for you -- and can sell, too

A University of Iowa-led study found that adding healthy foods to concession stands can increase sales and profits while maintaining customer satisfaction. The study, which involved a school booster club in Muscatine, Iowa, showed that introducing healthier options led to stable sales and revenue increases.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Public Health·DateMar 11, 2014