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Science News Archive April 2015 - Page 32


Page 32 of 36

Study reveals Internet-style 'local area networks' in cerebral cortex of rats

A massive data compilation of 40 years' worth of research on rat brains reveals local networks of neurons, similar to the Internet, governing various functions such as vision, learning, and bodily concerns. This discovery opens a new avenue for connecting human brain studies with animal models, potentially leading to breakthroughs in n...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

Research debunks commonly held belief about narcissism

A study published by the American Psychological Association found no association between excessive use of first-person singular pronouns and narcissistic tendencies. The research used a large sample size of over 4,800 participants and multiple narcissism measures, suggesting that I-talk may not be a reliable indicator of narcissism.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 6, 2015

Sea sponge anchors are natural models of strength

A team of Brown University engineers found that the unique internal structure of sea sponge spicules contributes to their remarkable anchoring ability. The pattern of decreasing layer thickness from center to edge enhances the spicule's strength and stability, potentially inspiring new engineering designs.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

Teams with a critical mass of women lets them 'lean in' and aim for science careers

A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that teams with a critical mass of women allow them to participate more actively, feel confident, and aspire toward engineering careers. In contrast, teams with equal numbers of men and women or mostly male groups reduced women's worries and anxieties but didn't encourage speaking up.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

UH study links Facebook use to depressive symptoms

A University of Houston study finds that excessive Facebook use and social comparison are associated with depressive symptoms. The research suggests that individuals who spend more time on Facebook and engage in social comparisons may experience heightened levels of depression.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Social and Clinical Psychology·DateApr 6, 2015

Cells exercise suboptimal strategy to survive

A new study published in BMC Systems Biology uses computational method corsoFBA to model cellular metabolism and discover how organisms adapt to changing environments. The researchers, led by Amina Qutub, aim to develop new treatments for diseases such as stroke and cancer.

SourceRice University·JournalBMC Systems Biology·DateApr 6, 2015

How do you feel? Video of your face may tell all

Rice University engineers create a highly accurate, touch-free system that analyzes subtle changes in skin color to monitor patients' vital signs. The technique overcomes challenges of low-light conditions, dark skin tones and movement by averaging skin-color change signals from different face regions.

SourceRice University·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateApr 6, 2015

Inning limits don't prevent MLB pitching injuries

A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that restricting the number of innings young MLB pitchers throw does not prevent injuries. Gradually increasing the total number of innings pitched per season also has no effect on young pitchers' risk of future injury.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalThe Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness·DateApr 6, 2015

New target for anticancer drugs: RNA

Researchers at UC Berkeley have identified a new target for cancer drugs in messenger RNA molecules, which carry unique tags that can be targeted to regulate translation. These tagged mRNAs play a key role in controlling cell growth and differentiation, making them potential targets for new anticancer therapies.

Saving lives by making malaria drugs more affordable

A new study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers found that offering purchase subsidies to retailers can increase the availability and affordability of malaria drugs. This approach is particularly effective for long-shelf life products, such as ACTs, which are considered the best anti-malarial drugs.

Working up a sweat -- it could save your life

A large Australian study of 204,542 people found that vigorous physical activity can reduce the risk of early death by 9 to 13 per cent compared to moderate activity. The benefits apply to both men and women of all ages and are independent of total time spent being active.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 6, 2015

Study suggests ways to simplify health insurance enrollment

A new study suggests that using plain language, graphics, and stories can simplify the health insurance enrollment process for people who have never had insurance before. The research found that these methods helped participants make informed choices about their coverage options and increased their confidence in their decisions.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalMedical Decision Making·DateApr 6, 2015

Water makes wires even more nano

Rice University scientists have developed a technique called meniscus-mask lithography to create sub-10 nanometer wide wires from various materials. The method uses the curvy surface of water as a mask, enabling the production of ultra-nano structures that are crucial for miniaturizing electronic devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 6, 2015

Winning women

A study by MIT economists found that increasing female candidates on electoral lists improves a party's chances of winning votes. Voter turnout did not diminish in response to more female candidates, suggesting internal party dynamics may be the main barrier to women's representation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateApr 6, 2015

Lead hokes the age

Researchers found metallic lead nanospheres in 3.4 billion-year-old zircons from Antarctica, which could alter ages determined using high-resolution ion probe techniques. The inhomogeneous distribution of lead in zircon might falsify ages, highlighting the need for reevaluation of geological age determination methods.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

With breast cancer treatment, you do get what you pay for

A Yale University study found that higher breast cancer treatment costs are associated with better survival rates. Over a decade, Medicare costs increased from $18,100 to $32,600, while five-year survival improved from 38.5% to 51.9%. The cost increase was largely due to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

SourceYale University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateApr 6, 2015

Fishing amplifies forage fish collapses

A new study reveals that fishing likely contributes to population collapses in forage fish, including herring, anchovies, and sardines. The research suggests that suspension of fishing when populations fall below half their average can prevent 64% of collapses with minimal impact on fisheries.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

Women and men have different exclusion criteria for rtPA

Researchers found that women were excluded from rtPA treatment for reasons unrelated to their sex, including advanced age and large strokes. High blood pressure was a common reason for exclusion in women, highlighting the importance of treating this condition to improve stroke treatment outcomes.

Origin of cancer wasting identified in fruit flies

Two independent studies reveal that tumor-secreted molecule ImpL2 causes wasting syndrome, also known as cachexia, in fly cancer models. Researchers found that depletion of ImpL2 levels significantly reduced wasting in flies, suggesting new candidates for mediators of cachexia and novel therapeutic approaches.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateApr 6, 2015

Camera chip provides superfine 3-D resolution

A new nanophotonic coherent imager (NCI) developed at Caltech uses an inexpensive silicon chip to provide the highest depth-measurement accuracy of any such device. The NCI produces high-resolution 3D images with micron-level resolution, enabling applications in 3D scanning and printing, driverless cars, and human machine interfaces.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 3, 2015

New evidence shows carbon's importance to ocean life's survival 252 million years ago

Scientists discovered that elemental carbon became a key construction material for certain marine organisms, such as agglutinated foraminifers and worm tubes, after the devastating Permian-Triassic extinction event. The high influx of carbon into the ocean environment was linked to volcanic activity and coal combustion.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalInternational Geology Review·DateApr 3, 2015