Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 24


Page 24 of 34

AGU journal highlights -- March 11, 2014

Recent AGU publications explore the surface dynamics of Titan's second-largest lake, Ligeia Mare. Researchers found that the lake's surface is flat, suggesting no waves or wind in the region. Additionally, new research on U-shaped glacial valleys suggests a tectonic stress feedback loop played a crucial role in their formation.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 11, 2014

Imbalanced hearing is more than a mild disability

Researchers at WashU Medicine are studying asymmetric hearing loss, which affects communication difficulties beyond mild disability. They aim to understand brain reorganization and develop new treatments to restore hearing in adults and children with one ear deaf and the other ear partially or fully hearing.

Personality may be key risk factor in preventive health care

Conscientious personality traits appear to be a key risk factor for better health, with participants who were more conscientious having lower rates of obesity, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Researchers suggest that incorporating personality assessments into preventive healthcare could lead to more effective care plans.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMar 11, 2014

Community action not enough to reduce problem drinking and related harms

A cluster randomized controlled trial in 20 communities found no significant difference in alcohol-related harms between intervention and control groups, despite reported reductions in self-reported average weekly consumption of alcohol. The study suggests that community action alone may not be sufficient to reduce problem drinking and...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 11, 2014

Acoustic cloaking device hides objects from sound

Researchers at Duke University have successfully demonstrated the world's first three-dimensional acoustic cloak, rerouting sound waves to create an illusion of emptiness. The device has potential applications in sonar avoidance and architectural acoustics, altering sound wave trajectory to match a flat surface.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 11, 2014