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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 38


Page 38 of 402

Mental health risk for new dads

Researchers found anxiety before and after a child arrives is just as prevalent as depression, affecting around one in ten men and half the rate for women. Mental health expert Dr. Liana Leach highlighted the importance of early intervention to reduce symptoms and duration.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateNov 24, 2015

Complex humor is no laughing matter

Research finds that cognitive constraints on mentalizing limit joke complexity to maintain humor; two-character jokes with up to five levels of intentionality are most effective. Professional comedians must balance cleverness with audience comprehension.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateNov 24, 2015

Can a bonobo keep the beat?

A female bonobo named Kuni was found to have a spontaneous drumming tempo of 270 beats per minute, faster than observed in human children. She synchronized her drumming with the human drummer on 54% of trials, with greater success near her preferred tempo.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Comparative Psychology·DateNov 24, 2015

University of California scientists create malaria-blocking mosquitoes

Researchers at University of California have successfully created a strain of mosquitoes capable of rapidly introducing malaria-blocking genes into its population, potentially eliminating the disease. The breakthrough uses a gene editing technique that allows for efficient creation of large populations of mosquitoes with this trait.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

NYU Langone enhances patient experience by reducing referrals to facilities after surgery

A new study from NYU Langone found that reducing post-surgery care referrals to facilities did not increase readmission rates, while improving patient recovery and reducing costs. The hospital implemented a program to discharge more patients home for recovery, with significant drops in facility referrals.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 23, 2015

Bioart: An introduction

Bioart uses genetic engineering, bacteria manipulation, and other scientific methods to create artistic works, sparking discussions about ethics and safety. The field has evolved from Fleming's 'germ paintings' to modern-day projects like genetically engineered silk worms and metagenomics analyses.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateNov 23, 2015

ACP recommends generics over branded meds

The American College of Physicians recommends prescribing generic medications whenever possible to reduce costs and improve adherence to therapy. Generic medications are as effective as their branded counterparts, but underuse is a significant issue due to misconceptions about safety and efficacy.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 23, 2015

Climate can grind mountains faster than they can be rebuilt

Erosion caused by glaciation during ice ages can wear down mountains faster than plate tectonics can build them, according to a new study. The research, conducted over more than a decade, revealed that erosion rates accelerated sharply about 1 million years ago when global climate cooling triggered stronger and more persistent ice ages.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

Canada must respect physician objectors who do not wish to refer patients for assisted death: Right to die

Physicians' conscientious objections to assisted death will be respected in Canada, with a system created to allow patients to receive medical support for dying while vulnerable patients and caregivers fight their doctors for rights. A direct service will be offered to patients, and physicians informed of the service.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 23, 2015

Want to remember new names? Sleep on it

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a full night of sleep significantly improved participants' ability to correctly identify the name associated with a face. The study suggests that sleep after new learning activities may help improve memory, regardless of age.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNeurobiology of Learning and Memory·DateNov 23, 2015

A row-bot that loves dirty water

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a row-bot that can operate indefinitely in remote locations by harnessing energy from dirty water. The robot's bio-inspired mechanism allows it to feed on nutrient-rich water, generating electricity through microbial fuel cells.

Infants under 12 months most at risk of physical abuse

A large study found that infants under 12 months are most at risk of serious physical abuse, with severe injuries leading to a threefold increase in mortality compared to other types of trauma. The majority (98%) of abused children were under 5 years old, and nearly all (76%) were less than 1 year old.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateNov 23, 2015

Higher resting heart rate linked to increased risk of death from all causes

A higher resting heart rate is associated with a greater risk of death from all causes, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. Research published in CMAJ found that every 10 beats/min increment of resting heart rate increases the risk by 9% for all-cause mortality and 8% for cardiovascular mortality.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 23, 2015

No lens? No problem for FlatCam

Researchers developed patented prototypes of FlatCam, a thin sensor chip that processes sensor measurements into images and videos. The technology decouples the parameters of light collection and device thickness, enabling large sensors with thin devices.