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Science News Archive November 2014 - Page 28


Page 28 of 31

Better bomb-sniffing technology

Researchers have created a new material that can detect explosives and toxic gases in seconds, offering four advantages over current detectors: sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The breakthrough could lead to flexible solar panels and improved public safety.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 4, 2014

Nature adores a hybrid

A Concordia University study reveals that hybrid fish become genetically robust like their purely wild counterparts within a few generations, providing hope for conservation efforts. This finding has implications beyond fish, with similar conclusions drawn about wolf species previously exposed to hybridization.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateNov 4, 2014

Gardeners of Madagascar rainforest at risk

A new study by Rice University researchers reveals lemurs play a crucial role in dispersing seeds for trees, increasing survival rates. The findings highlight the importance of preserving lemur populations to maintain the health of Madagascar's rainforests.

SourceRice University·JournalEcology·DateNov 4, 2014

New research explores scent communication in polar bears

Polar bears use scent associated with their paws to convey information about their social status and reproductive readiness. The study suggests that climate change could disrupt this vital communication method, impacting the animals' ability to reproduce successfully.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateNov 4, 2014

EPA recognizes Virginia Tech postdoc's research on birds

A Virginia Tech graduate student has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fellowship to study the effects of mercury contamination on red-winged blackbird populations. Her research aims to investigate how stress hormones and disease are connected in birds, with potential implications for understanding avian malaria infections.

Framework may help improve use of social media during disasters

A new analysis identifies 15 distinct social media uses during disasters, including providing preparedness information and reconnecting community members. The proposed framework aims to standardize and organize disaster social media practices, potentially protecting lives and aiding recovery

SourceWiley·JournalDisasters·DateNov 4, 2014

Disorder + disorder = more disorder?

Researchers discovered a counterintuitive effect where structural disorder counters thermal disorder in certain systems, leading to lower overall disorder. The study focused on charged fluids and found that disordered charges interact strongly with mobile ions to oppose the effects of thermal disorder.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateNov 4, 2014

Don't be an outsider!

A study found that two-year-old children conform to the behavior of their peers more often than great apes. Children conformed more than half the time, while chimpanzees and orangutans stuck to their learned strategy.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 4, 2014

Adenotonsillectomy and childhood asthma

A study found that adenotonsillectomy significantly decreased acute asthma exacerbations and episodes of status asthmaticus in children with asthma. The procedure may help alleviate underlying asthma severity by addressing related obstructive sleep apnea.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 4, 2014

Preventing postpartum hemorrhage

A randomized non-inferiority trial found that sublingual misoprostol was less effective than intramuscular oxytocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in Uganda. The study showed that women treated with misoprostol experienced more blood loss and side effects, while oxytocin was associated with fewer complications.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 4, 2014

Autism spectrum disorder: 10 tips guidance article

A new article provides 10 practical tips to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), empowering them to participate in their communities and receive personalized care. The 'Ten Tips' offer a framework for clinical practice and global advocacy, prioritizing the individual's hopes, dreams, and self-determination.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateNov 4, 2014

Parents' work schedules may impact family members' sleep

A recent US study found that working mothers with nonstandard schedules experience insufficient sleep more often than those with standard hours. Working more than 35 hours per week was linked to increased difficulty in balancing work and family life for many mothers.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateNov 4, 2014

Digital dinosaurs: New research employs high-end technology to restore dinosaur fossil

Researchers employed high-resolution X-ray CT scanning and digital visualization techniques to restore a complete skull of the 3-4m herbivorous dinosaur Erlikosaurus andrewsi. The team digitally dissected the skull, filling in breaks and cracks, duplicating missing elements, and reversing deformation, resulting in a life-like restoration.

SourceSociety of Vertebrate Paleontology·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateNov 4, 2014

Few hospital websites educate pregnant women on Tdap vaccination and whooping cough prevention

A new University of Michigan analysis reveals that less than half of Michigan birthing hospitals provide prevention information on their websites about Tdap vaccination and whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Tdap vaccination during pregnancy to protect newborns from this potentially deadly disease.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateNov 4, 2014

Radiation a risk factor for brain tumors in young people

A Loyola University Medical Center study has found radiation to be a risk factor for the development of meningiomas, a type of brain tumor, in individuals under age 30. The study analyzed records of patients diagnosed with meningiomas before age 30 and found that five had been exposed to ionizing radiation earlier in their lives.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalNeuroscience Discovery·DateNov 4, 2014

Ebola may be deadlier and more widespread than we think

A new analysis suggests the Ebola fatality rate is over 70%, far higher than the initial 50% estimate, with the total number of affected individuals potentially exceeding 1 million by early next year. The exponential growth of cases raises concerns about exporting the disease to other countries and sparking a global humanitarian crisis.

SourceWiley·JournalComplexity·DateNov 4, 2014

Medicare may need to expand options for behavioral weight loss counseling in primary care

A systematic review found that high-quality randomized controlled trials on behavioral weight loss counseling in primary care settings are limited, with only two studies identifying effective interventions producing an average weight loss of at least five percent. The review highlights the need for further research to evaluate the effe...

Brain changes linked to prematurity may explain risk of neurodevelopmental disorders

Researchers identified significant alterations in the thalamus and putamen of premature babies, which may lead to designing effective prevention strategies and early interventional treatments for cognitive disabilities. These findings suggest that brain structure and circuitry changes related to prematurity can affect important functio...

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalBrain Structure and Function·DateNov 4, 2014