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Science News Archive January 2015 - Page 5


Page 5 of 28

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

Analysis rejects linkage between testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk

A comprehensive review of literature reveals a strong relationship between higher testosterone levels and reduced cardiovascular disease and risk factors. Despite four flawed studies sparking concerns, dozens of studies demonstrate benefits of testosterone therapy in reducing mortality, improving cardiovascular health, and alleviating ...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 27, 2015

Things smell good for a reason

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that fruit flies can detect antioxidants using olfactory cues, increasing feeding behavior and triggering oviposition. This form of detection is not unique to insects, as humans also perceive pleasant odors from healthy nutrients.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 27, 2015

New pathway to valleytronics

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered a new pathway to valleytronics by selectively controlling photoexcited electrons/hole pairs in different energy valleys. This technique, based on the use of circularly polarized femtosecond light pulses, enables ultrafast manipulation of valley excitons for quantum information applications.

Women diagnosed with PCOS twice as likely to be hospitalized

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are twice as likely to be hospitalized for reasons unrelated to reproductive health or injury. The study, which examined health records of over 2,500 women with PCOS, also foun...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 27, 2015

Brain region vulnerable to aging is larger in those with longevity gene variant

Researchers found that individuals carrying a single copy of the KLOTHO allele, associated with better cognition and longevity, have larger volumes in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This brain region is vulnerable to atrophy as people age, impacting planning and decision-making abilities.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateJan 27, 2015

Crude conspiracy theories could be right

A new study has found that oil interests are a primary motivator for third-party countries to intervene in civil wars, challenging common conspiracy theory explanations. The research analyzed data from over 69 countries and revealed that countries with significant oil reserves were more likely to be targeted by foreign intervention.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Conflict Resolution·DateJan 27, 2015

Lawrence Livermore research finds early Mesoamericans affected by climate change

Researchers found evidence of regional drought between 500 and 1150 AD in Mexico, contributing to the abandonment of Cantona, a large fortified city with a population of 90,000 inhabitants. The study suggests that climate change played a role in the site's history, highlighting the interplay of environmental and political factors.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 27, 2015