Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive September 2014 - Page 23


Page 23 of 34

Unnecessary antibiotic use responsible for $163 million in potentially avoidable hospital costs

Research finds 70% of potential unnecessary therapies represented by three specific drug combinations used to treat anaerobic infections. This overuse can contribute to antimicrobial resistance and increase healthcare costs. The study highlights the need for hospitals to improve their antimicrobial usage efforts.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateSep 10, 2014

Living liver donors ambivalent with donation

A new study found that living liver donor candidates often experience ambivalence regarding donation, which is linked to physical, psychosocial, and financial concerns. Providing social support can help mitigate these concerns and reduce ambivalence among living liver donors.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateSep 10, 2014

New study shows impact of movies on dog breed popularity

A new study from the University of Bristol and partners found that movies featuring dogs can increase breed popularity by up to 10 years, with the strongest influence in the early twentieth century. The research analyzed data from the American Kennel Club and found a correlation between movie viewership and breed registration trends.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 10, 2014

'Green wave' explains migratory bird routes

New research reveals that many North American bird species use looped migration routes, following the flush of green vegetation in spring and avoiding harsher winter conditions. By analyzing large datasets from eBird and satellite imagery, scientists have uncovered a general pattern common to many species.

Smartphones may aid in dietary self-monitoring

A recent study found that smartphone apps can help users track their dietary data more consistently and accurately than traditional methods. The research used a commercially available app, recording dietary intake using the memo function of smartphones, and paper and pencil for comparison.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateSep 10, 2014

Ocean warming affecting Florida reefs

Researchers found that water temperatures in the Florida Keys have increased by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the past few decades, stressing corals and causing more frequent bleaching events. The study indicates that August is the peak month for ocean temperatures, which can lead to coral mortality if prolonged.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalEstuaries and Coasts·DateSep 10, 2014

Study: Sports broadcasting gender roles echoed on Twitter

A new study by Clemson University researchers explores self-presentation strategies of sports broadcasters Erin Andrews and Kirk Herbstreit on Twitter. The study reveals clear differences in their approaches, with Andrews focusing on personal items and entertainment, while Herbstreit provides sports-related commentary and analysis.

SourceClemson University·JournalJournal of Sports Media·DateSep 10, 2014

When talking about body size, African-American women and doctors may be speaking different languages

Research from Rush University Medical Center found that African American women and their female children have the highest obesity prevalence and tend to underestimate their body weight. The study showed a large chasm between biomedical and cultural definitions of body size, with many overweight women not considering themselves 'too fat'.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateSep 10, 2014

Where to grab space debris

MIT researchers developed an algorithm to gauge space debris rotation using visual information, achieving high accuracy in most measures. The algorithm's probabilistic approach and Gaussian distribution modeling enable efficient collection of space trash, including thousands of broken satellites.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Field Robotics·DateSep 10, 2014

Residual hydraulic fracturing water not a risk to groundwater

New research by Penn State scientists suggests that hydraulic fracturing water is not a significant risk to groundwater, as it is sequestered in the rock formation. The study found that capillary and osmotic forces prevent upward migration of residual treatment water into overlying groundwater.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources·DateSep 10, 2014

Cutting health-care costs 1 appendix at a time

A new study published in Annals of Surgery shows that providing pricing information upfront can influence patient choice of surgical procedures and potentially lead to cost savings. When parents were aware of the cost difference between open surgery and laparoscopy for their children's appendicitis, they were almost twice as likely to ...

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateSep 10, 2014

Cloud-computing revolution applies to evolution

Rice University computer scientists have developed cloud-computing tools to help analyze evolutionary patterns. The new open-source algorithms will enable researchers to track the evolution of genes and genomes across species more efficiently, making it possible to trace genes at scales that were not practical before.