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Science News Archive October 2014 - Page 33


Page 33 of 35

Soon to become a minority in the US, whites express declining support for diversity

A study by UCLA psychologists found that white Americans view diversity negatively when exposed to current projections of future demographics, with those who believe they will no longer be the majority expressing lower levels of support. This phenomenon is linked to whites feeling threatened by their perceived loss of American identity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 2, 2014

Making old lungs look young again

Researchers at Ohio State University found that ibuprofen can reduce lung inflammation in elderly mice, improving their immune response to tuberculosis. By lowering inflammation, ibuprofen made the lungs of old mice appear younger and more effective at fighting infection.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateOct 2, 2014

Researchers discover gene that can predict aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified a genetic variant near the KLK3 gene that can predict aggressive prostate cancer in GS7 patients. The study found a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the KLK3 gene associated with disease aggression, providing potential biomarkers for personalized treatment.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 2, 2014

Exercise linked with improved physical and mental health among dialysis patients

Research findings suggest that aerobic activity improves the health-related quality of life and reduces depressive symptoms among hemodialysis patients. The study also found that dialysis facilities can promote physical activity levels by offering exercise programs, potentially improving patient outcomes.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 2, 2014

Twice the DNA yield in less time

A new DNA isolation technique using MagnaCel paramagnetic cellulose particles has been shown to improve the quality and quantity of DNA extractions across a wide range of flowering plants. This method outperformed traditional techniques like CTAB and DNeasy, providing an average of twice the DNA yield and more consistent DNA purity.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateOct 2, 2014

Study gauges humor by age

A study by University of Akron researcher Jennifer Tehan Stanley found that young and middle-aged adults consider aggressive humor funny, whereas older adults do not. The study suggests our concept of what is funny may evolve over time as we age.

SourceUniversity of Akron·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateOct 2, 2014

£125 million announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable for the next generation of scientists to drive the economy of the future

The UK will receive £125M over five years to support PhD training in agriculture, food security, industrial biotechnology, bioenergy, and health. This funding aims to build on the country's strengths in these areas and tackle major challenges such as food demand, sustainable industries, and healthcare.

Gout linked to heightened diabetes risk

A large UK study has found a significant link between gout and diabetes in the general population, particularly among women. Women with gout were 71% more likely to develop diabetes than those without, highlighting the importance of prompt treatment of shared risk factors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateOct 2, 2014

High alcohol intake linked to heightened HPV infection risk in men

Research found a significant association between high alcohol intake and heightened HPV infection risk in men, even after adjusting for other risk factors. The study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may be crucial to reducing this risk, alongside safe sex practices and smoking cessation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateOct 2, 2014

The fat suit study

A recent Cornell University study found that eating with someone who appears overweight can lead to consuming more unhealthy foods and less healthy portions. Researchers discovered that participants served and ate 31.6% more pasta when the actress wore a prosthesis, but reduced salad intake by 43.5%.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalAppetite·DateOct 2, 2014

A new approach to on-chip quantum computing

Researchers develop new approach to generate mixed-up photon pairs on a chip, exploiting micro-ring resonator technology. The device can directly generate orthogonal polarized photons at very low power, suitable for quantum protocols.

SourceOptica·DateOct 2, 2014

Sense of invalidation uniquely risky for troubled teens

A new study suggests that a moderate to high perception of family invalidation is a statistically significant predictor of a later suicide event among boys. Strong peer invalidation also predicts engagement in self-harm behaviors in the overall group, according to researchers.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·DateOct 2, 2014

Study shows sharks have personalities

Researchers found that individual sharks possess social personalities, determining how they interact with group mates in the wild. The study revealed that socially well-connected individuals remained connected under different habitats, while less social individuals camouflaged alone.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 1, 2014

Predicting the future course of psychotic illness

Researchers developed a predictive model based on clinical symptoms, cognitive abilities, brain structure, and biomarkers to forecast patient outcomes. The model aims to improve treatment for mental illnesses like schizophrenia and could lead to more personalized care.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalAustralian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 1, 2014

Hypertension risk rises closer to major roadways

A new study by Brown University found that women who lived close to highways had a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure, with risks rising with proximity to the roadways. The study controlled for various confounding factors and found that living within 100m of a highway increased hypertension risk by 22%.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateOct 1, 2014

Spiders: Survival of the fittest group

A study by Pruitt and Goodnight found that group-level adaptations, such as a critical ratio of two types of females, are potent evolutionary forces in nature. In spider colonies, docile and aggressive females adapt to specific locations, with the ratio shifting between survival-friendly and threat-prone conditions.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2014

Proving 'group selection'

A landmark study published in Nature finds that spiders adapt their docile-to-aggressive ratios to local environments for optimal colony survival. The research shows that colonies change their composition over time to better match the ratio required by their native site, even when moved to different locations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2014

New article shows daily use of certain supplements can decrease health-care expenditures

A new article published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements explores a potential cost-benefit analysis tool that shows daily use of certain dietary supplements, specifically omega-3 fatty acid or B vitamin supplements, can result in reduced odds of experiencing costly medical events. According to the study, high-risk adults over 55 w...

SourceCouncil for Responsible Nutrition·JournalJournal of Dietary Supplements·DateOct 1, 2014

Fat chats: The good, the bad and the ugly comments

A study analyzing over 1.37 million social media posts found pervasive negative stereotypes and jokes about weight, as well as instances of support and advice. Blogs and forums offered a safe space for online discussions about healthy eating and weight management.

SourceSpringer·JournalTranslational Behavioral Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014