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Science News for January 13, 2015


Half of young victims of fatal crashes in 9 US states used alcohol or marijuana

A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that half of young victims of fatal crashes in nine US states were under the influence of either alcohol or marijuana, or both. The study analyzed data from 1999 to 2011 and found that 50.3% of deceased tested positive for alcohol, marijuana, or both.

Trust through the olfactory fragrance of lavender

Researchers found that exposure to lavender aroma significantly increased money transfer between test persons in a trust game. The study suggests that smelling lavender may help establish trusting negotiations and build team spirit in various situations.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJan 13, 2015

Study sheds light on chemicals that insects use to communicate and survive

Researchers at UC Riverside devised a method to isolate hydrocarbon molecules used by insects for communication and differentiation. The study found that nearly all insects produce the R form of these chemicals, paving the way for understanding their functions and potential applications in controlling pest species.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 13, 2015

The challenges of providing obstetric care during an Ebola epidemic

Healthcare workers face difficulties in differentiating between obstetric emergencies and suspected Ebola cases, while limited evidence exists on asymptomatic pregnant women. The article highlights the need for continual assessment of minimising risk to healthcare workers while providing lifesaving care.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateJan 13, 2015

Tumor micro-environment is a rough neighborhood for nanoparticle cancer drugs

Researchers suggest that the tumor microenvironment could play a significant role in cancer treatment and delivery of nanoparticle-based drugs. They found varying levels of drug delivery between two triple-negative breast cancer tumors, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine and better profiling of tumors.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 13, 2015

Clinical trial shows benefits of animal-assisted therapy in adult cancer patients undergoing complex cancer treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy

A clinical trial found that animal-assisted therapy significantly improved the emotional well-being and quality of life of adult cancer patients. The study, published in Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, involved 37 patients who received daily visits from certified therapy dogs during their treatment.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology·DateJan 13, 2015

'Gold rush' threatens tropical forests in South America

A recent study found that gold mining has led to significant deforestation in tropical forests of South America, resulting in the loss of around 1680 km2 of forest between 2001 and 2013. The research highlights the growing environmental impact of gold mining in biologically diverse regions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 13, 2015

100 million Americans live with chronic pain, but treatment research is insufficient

A new report by an independent panel found that evidence-based approaches to treating chronic pain are lacking, with no existing algorithm for determining the best treatment approach. The panel recommends multidisciplinary care incorporating patients' perspectives and emphasizes the need for more research on opioids and other treatments.

SourceIndiana University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 13, 2015

The Lancet Psychiatry: Reducing fear avoidance beliefs key to improving symptoms and reducing disability in chronic fatigue syndrome

A new study found that reducing fear avoidance beliefs is crucial for improving symptoms and reducing disability in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The analysis of PACE trial data revealed that graded exercise therapy (GET) was more effective than cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in reducing fear avoidance beliefs.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateJan 13, 2015

No gain if unfair

A study found that humans tend to turn down sure rewards if they derive from an unfair distribution of resources, regardless of whether the individual themselves or others are affected. Brain imaging revealed differing brain circuits in these two conditions.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateJan 13, 2015

Long working hours linked to increased risky alcohol use

A new study published in The BMJ found that employees who work more than 48 hours per week are more likely to engage in risky alcohol consumption. The study analyzed data from 333,693 people across 14 countries and found a significant association between long working hours and increased risk of higher alcohol use.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 13, 2015

Development of psychosis: Gray matter loss and the inflamed brain

A new study finds that gray matter loss in the brain is a precursor to psychosis, with increased inflammation accelerating this process. Researchers analyzed brain scans of young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis and healthy controls, revealing a significant correlation between proinflammatory cytokines and gray matter thinning.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 13, 2015

Understanding the personalities of bacteria

Research by Professor Peter Young and his team reveals that bacterial strains are unique, with different genes and capabilities, similar to human individuals having unique genetic makeup. This study sheds light on the importance of understanding bacterial communities and their functioning through metagenomics.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalOpen Biology·DateJan 13, 2015

A breakthrough approach to addressing the causes of biodiversity loss

The IPBES conceptual framework offers a new approach to understanding biodiversity loss by incorporating traditional knowledge and social sciences. The framework is built on six main elements: nature, human benefits, anthropogenic assets, indirect drivers of change, direct drivers of change, and good quality of life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 13, 2015

UCLA researchers develop new tool to predict postoperative liver cancer recurrence after transplant

A novel nomogram was developed by UCLA researchers to accurately calculate the risk of disease recurrence in liver cancer patients after a liver transplant. The tool uses pre-transplant radiologic information, blood biomarkers, and pathological characteristics to predict recurrence rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 13, 2015

Men want commitment when women are scarce

A study among the Makushi people in Guyana reveals that men are more likely to pursue long-term relationships when women are in short supply. The researchers found that when women are abundant, men tend to seek multiple short-term partners, but when they are scarce, men value and attempt to maintain a single partner.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJan 13, 2015

Study: Eat school lunch after recess

A Brigham Young University study found that switching recess before lunch increases fruit and vegetable consumption in children by 54%. This simple, no-cost trick has the potential to improve long-term health effects and make school meal programs more successful.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJan 13, 2015

Autonomous tots have higher cognitive skills

A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that children whose mothers consistently supported their autonomy had higher executive functioning skills. The mother's ability to teach problem-solving skills and take her child's perspective was crucial in shaping the child's cognitive abilities.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Child and Family Studies·DateJan 13, 2015

Major grant will help diabetics

A new research project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation will investigate why some diabetes patients develop painful neuritis, while others do not. The study aims to identify key factors and potentially develop preventive or inhibiting medicine.

Crush those clinkers while they're hot

Researchers at Rice University found that optimizing the process of turning clinkers into cement can save a significant amount of energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. By analyzing the crystal and atomic structures of clinkers, they identified areas where defects and internal stresses affect the grinding process.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 13, 2015

Glass for battery electrodes

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new glass material that can store more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The vanadate-borate glass exhibits improved charging capacity and stability, paving the way for more efficient electric vehicles and longer-lasting portable electronics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 13, 2015

Can inhaled oxygen cause cancer?

A new study published in PeerJ found an inverse relationship between oxygen concentration and lung cancer incidence, with counties at higher elevations experiencing lower rates. The association was consistent across population subgroups and demographic variables, suggesting that inhaled oxygen may be a human carcinogen.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateJan 13, 2015

Bilingualism changes children's beliefs

A Concordia University study found that bilingual children are more likely to believe that traits arise from experience, while monolinguals tend to think they're innate. This discovery has important social implications, as it suggests early second language education could promote acceptance of human diversity.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 13, 2015

GMOs with health benefits have a large market potential

Research from Ghent University demonstrates a high willingness of consumers to pay premiums for GMOs with health benefits, ranging from 20% to 70%. The study highlights the potential market share of these nutritionally improved crops in regions such as China and Brazil, where nutrient deficiencies are prevalent.

SourceGhent University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJan 13, 2015

New model predicts Ebola epidemic in Liberia could be ended by June 2015

A new model developed by ecologists at the University of Georgia and Pennsylvania State University predicts that the Ebola epidemic in Liberia can be largely contained by June 2015 if hospitalization rates and safe burial practices are maintained. The model, which includes factors such as location of infection and treatment, hospital c...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 13, 2015