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Science News Archive February 2015 - Page 14


Page 14 of 31

A new spin on spintronics

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University has developed a new radiation-resistant spintronic material that can maintain its spin-dependence after being irradiated. This breakthrough could enable electronic devices to work in harsh environments, such as space-based communications satellites.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 17, 2015

How to avoid a bad hire

A new study by University of Vermont researcher David Jones found that job ads focusing on what employers can provide to applicants, such as work autonomy and career advancement, attract more highly rated applicants. These ads received almost three times as many high-quality applications as those emphasizing demands-abilities fit.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Focusing on the success of others can make us selfish

A new study published in PNAS found that people who focus on the success of their peers are more likely to act selfishly in group decisions. This is because success-oriented individuals prioritize information about which behavior pays off best, leading to a greater likelihood of selfish actions.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2015

Researchers discover molecular trigger of inflammatory bowel disease

Duke researchers have identified the uhrf1 gene as a key regulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels, which are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study found that loss of uhrf1 leads to increased TNF production, which can cause inflammation and damage to the digestive tract.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2015

How we know where we are

A study by Ruhr-University Bochum scientists and colleagues identifies specific brain regions responsible for spatial memory. The researchers found that suppressing irrelevant activities improves spatial navigation accuracy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Large scale study warns of unsustainable ecological decline in rural China

A large-scale study by University of Southampton researchers has found that the agricultural development of a region in eastern China is ecologically unsustainable, with losses of ecosystem services and declining water quality. The study suggests that economic development has created a trade-off between gains in agricultural productivi...

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 16, 2015

Mindfulness meditation appears to help improve sleep quality

A clinical trial found that mindfulness meditation improved sleep quality for older adults with moderate sleep disturbances, reducing symptoms of fatigue and depression. The study suggests that structured mindfulness meditation training may be a useful approach to addressing sleep problems in this population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015

Building a more versatile frequency comb

A new frequency comb has been developed that can operate at higher powers and cover the 3-12 micron spectral range. This breakthrough is achieved through a quantum cascade laser-based solution, offering improved performance and potential applications in metrology, spectroscopy, and frequency synthesis.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 16, 2015

Satellite images reveal ocean acidification from space

New techniques using satellite-mounted cameras and microwave sensors can monitor large areas of the ocean, quickly identifying regions most at risk from increasing acidification. This approach offers remote monitoring and could lead to further development of satellite sensors in the coming years.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Time for a bold dingo experiment

The study suggests reintroducing dingoes to Sturt National Park in NSW, Australia, to control invasive predators and native herbivores that degrade rangeland. By monitoring the results, researchers hope to address a national and international issue of significant concern.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalRestoration Ecology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Gene mutation drives cartilage tumor formation

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a link between gene mutations in the IDH gene and the formation of benign cartilage tumors that can evolve into cancerous chondrosarcomas. The study provides insights into the potential development of new treatments using drugs designed to block IDH function.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2015

New pathways discovered to prevent blindness

Scientists at Monash University have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the brain adapts to vision loss by discovering a second pathway for visual information. This new pathway, through the pulvinar area of the brain, plays a crucial role in rerouting visual information following injury or trauma.

SourceMonash University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

New journal Science China Materials launched by Springer

Science China Materials is an international peer-reviewed journal covering all aspects of materials science, fostering communication of innovative research results. The journal aims to develop into a world-leading academic journal of materials science, benefiting from Springer's international publishing platform.

SourceSpringer·JournalScience China Materials·DateFeb 16, 2015

Most clinical 'calculators' over-estimate heart attack risk

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that four out of five widely used clinical calculators significantly overestimate the likelihood of a heart attack. The researchers found that these algorithms calculate heart attack probability using factors such as gender, age, smoking history, and cholesterol levels, but may not accurate...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015