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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 45


Page 45 of 402

One very brainy bird

A new study finds that pigeons can accurately categorize digitized microscope slides and mammograms of benign and malignant human breast tissue. With training, they perform as well as humans in this task, demonstrating a remarkable ability to perceive and process visual cues.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2015

New urban heat island study shows surprising variation in air temperatures across Twin Cities

A new study from the University of Minnesota used a network of 180 sensors to capture detailed temperature patterns across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, highlighting the strength and variability of the urban heat island effect. The research provides valuable insights into efforts to reduce heat-related harm in metro areas globally.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateNov 18, 2015

Nondrug interventions improve quality of life for Chinese cancer patients

A meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine and nonpharmacological interventions found that they alleviate symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and pain in Chinese cancer patients. These interventions include acupuncture, therapeutic massage, stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical training.

Stretch mark science: What happens to your skin when pregnancy gives you a stretch mark?

Researchers investigated skin samples from pregnant women with recent-formed stretch marks, finding disrupted elastic fibers that remain damaged after giving birth. The study suggests that preserving existing elastic fibers may be a more effective approach than repairing damaged ones within stretch marks.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateNov 17, 2015

Stacking instead of mixing

Scientists at Jülich and Aachen have developed a method to control the conducting properties of topological insulators more precisely. By stacking materials instead of mixing, they optimized conductivity and reduced energy requirements. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient computers and mobile phones.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2015

Electrons always find a (quantum) way

Researchers at the University of Basel successfully transport electrons from a superconductor through a quantum dot into a metal with normal conductivity. The team measured discrete resonances, confirming theoretical predictions and demonstrating the phenomenon's applicability to quantum technology applications.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 17, 2015

Eating to impress

A Cornell University study found men will eat significantly more food in the company of women than other men, consuming 93% more pizza and 86% more salad. When dining with men, many women felt they overate and were rushed through their meal.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateNov 17, 2015

Bright prospects: Repairing neurons with light

Researchers successfully promoted the repair of an injured neural circuit in zebrafish using a special form of inducible adenylyl cyclase that responds to blue light, increasing repair rates by up to 30%. This breakthrough has potential therapeutic implications for conditions like diabetes-related neuropathies.

What's in a name? More than you think...

A study by psychologists at the University of York analyzed anonymized data from League of Legends to find correlations between user names and in-game behavior. Positive usernames were linked to positive personality traits, while anti-social expressions correlated with similar behavior. Age was also indicated by numbers in user names.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateNov 17, 2015

Gene mutation linked to reckless drunken behavior

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have found a genetic mutation that renders carriers susceptible to impulsive and reckless behavior when drunk. The study, led by Dr. Roope Tikkanen, discovered a point mutation in the serotonin 2B receptor gene associated with increased impulsivity, particularly in response to alcohol consumption.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateNov 17, 2015

Scientists take aim at disease-carrying 'kissing bug'

Researchers identify unique expansions of gene families related to chemoreception and feeding in Rhodnius prolixus, the kissing bug that transmits Chagas disease. These findings may lead to novel approaches for controlling or eliminating the disease by targeting specific genes or processes.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2015