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Science News for January 28, 2015


Communication is key when dealing with aging parents

Research found that both adult children and aging parents identify stubbornness in the other, with individual and relationship-based factors linked to perceptions. The study suggests a need for intervention to increase understanding and provides insights for practitioners on how to address stubborn behaviors.

Study: Former NFL players who played tackle football before age 12 at increased risk of memory and thinking problems later

A study found that former NFL players who played tackle football before age 12 performed significantly worse on cognitive tests compared to those who started playing at age 12 or later. The researchers suggested a critical window of brain development where repeated head impacts can lead to thinking and memory difficulties later in life.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 28, 2015

Study by CU researcher finds everyday exposure to chemicals could trigger early menopause

A study published in PLOS ONE found that exposure to certain chemicals used in cosmetics, plastics, and household cleaners can trigger early menopause in women. Women exposed to these chemicals were up to six times more likely to be menopausal than non-exposed women, with a potential increase in infertility and health risks.

What's happening with your donated specimen?

A Michigan State University study found that most people are willing to donate bodily samples for medical research, but this willingness drops when specific projects are mentioned. The study suggests that biobanks should rethink their consent processes and be more transparent about the research they support.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJAMA·DateJan 28, 2015

Why upper motor neurons degenerate in ALS

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that increased stress in the endoplasmic reticulum is a key factor in the degeneration of upper motor neurons in ALS. This finding could lead to the development of new therapies aimed at improving the survival of these critical cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJan 28, 2015

'Friending' your way thin

A Northwestern University study found that online dieters who logged in regularly, recorded their weigh-ins, and 'friended' other members lost an average of 8% of their body weight over six months. In contrast, those with fewer interactions lost only about 5% of their body weight.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJan 28, 2015

New method for identifying most aggressive childhood cancers

Scientists at Lund University have discovered a way to identify the most malignant tumours in children by studying genetic micro-variation. The study found that the degree of genetic variation between cells is linked to the severity of cancer in children, making it a potential marker for predicting treatment outcomes.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2015

No increase in complications of breast reconstruction over age 65, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found no significant difference in overall complications between older and younger women undergoing breast reconstruction. However, the risk of blood clot-related complications was significantly higher in older women who underwent autologous reconstruction using their own tissues.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJan 28, 2015

Long-necked 'dragon' discovered in China

A new species of long-necked dinosaur, Qijianglong, has been discovered in China with a remarkably lightweight neck and surprisingly stiff joints. The findings suggest that long-necked dinosaurs diversified uniquely in Asia during Jurassic times.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateJan 28, 2015

To reassure electric car buyers, combine battery leasing with better charging: INFORMS study

A new INFORMS study suggests that combining battery leasing with improved charging technology can alleviate range and resale anxieties, increasing electric vehicle adoption. The study finds that these combined models yield higher benefits than traditional ownership models, particularly in terms of emission savings and consumer surplus.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateJan 28, 2015

Demystifying nanocrystal solar cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2015

When aid brings conflict, not relief

Research by University of Illinois economist Ben Crost found that aid to villages in the Philippines increased violence. The villages that qualified for aid saw a significant increase in violence, while those that didn't participate experienced less violence. This suggests that aid can inadvertently make communities vulnerable to attacks.

Joint international research project leads to a breakthrough in terahertz spectroscopy

A joint international research project has led to a breakthrough in terahertz spectroscopy, enabling the analysis of nanocrystals and molecules at extremely low concentrations. Researchers successfully increased technique sensitivity using nanoantennas, allowing for enhanced absorption and spectroscopic signature retrieval.

To prevent new environmental disasters, China needs national conservation horizon scanning

A new study suggests that China should conduct national conservation horizon scanning to identify potential environmental problems that have not yet been noticed by society. This could help prevent large-scale environmental disasters, such as the serious haze caused by heavy air pollution in northern China and across the Yangtze River ...

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 28, 2015

Fossil skull connects continents

A fossil skull discovered in Israel's Manot Cave provides strong evidence of the first modern human migration to Europe, dating back 55,000 years. The analysis reveals a close genetic relationship between ancient Europeans and modern humans from Africa, challenging previous theories about the origins of European modern humans.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJan 28, 2015

Dartmouth investigators conduct systematic testing of deimmunized biotherapeutic agents

The Dartmouth team created a systematic testing platform to analyze deimmunized protein design space. Their analysis revealed that experimentally measured molecular fitness mapped closely onto the computational design space for 18 deimmunized drug candidates, demonstrating potential to predict and design tradeoffs between immunogenicit...

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 28, 2015

Smothered oceans

A study from the University of California, Davis reveals extreme oxygen loss in oceans around 10,000-17,000 years ago, coinciding with past global climate change. The findings suggest that modern oceans are moving into a state with no precedent in human history.

The 2 faces of Mars

A massive celestial object impacted Mars, generating a magma ocean that solidified into the mountainous highlands of the southern hemisphere. This event, occurring around 4-15 million years after Mars' formation, is believed to have triggered volcanic activity and changed the planet's magnetic field.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 28, 2015

DFG to fund 4 new clinical trials

The DFG is funding four new clinical trials addressing urgent questions in patient-oriented research, including surgery for metastatic stomach cancer and individualised chemotherapy for certain breast cancers. Over 1,160 patients will participate in the trials, which will test efficacy of new procedures over a three-year period.

Bike-to-work events offer chance to explore barriers to cycling

A study led by the University of Colorado Denver found that cities using bike-to-work days can capture a wide range of bicyclists and gather insights into barriers to increasing their commuting. The study suggests that cities should use these events to understand participants' motivations and identify obstacles, such as safety concerns...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Urban Planning and Development·DateJan 28, 2015

Gully patterns document Martian climate cycles

Researchers from Brown University found new evidence of glacier-like ice deposits advancing and retreating multiple times in Mars' midlatitudes, suggesting recent climate cycles. The study suggests that the planet's wobbly rotation around its axis may have driven these ice ages.

SourceBrown University·JournalIcarus·DateJan 28, 2015