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Science News for July 16, 2015


Sitting time not associated with poorer diets in US adults

A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that sedentary time was not linked to poorer diets among US adults. However, more sedentary time was associated with a lower intake of empty calories. The researchers suggest targeting reducing and breaking up sedentary time as a separate strategy from encouraging healthy dietary habits.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJul 16, 2015

Sun's activity controls Greenland temperatures

A new study suggests high solar activity in the 1950s-80s slowed down ocean circulation between the South Atlantic and North Atlantic, cooling Greenland while the rest of the Northern Hemisphere warmed. Weak solar activity could now fire up the circulation mechanism, leading to faster ice sheet melting and increased sea-level rise.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 16, 2015

It's official: Workplace rudeness is contagious

A University of Florida study found that encountering rude behavior at work makes people more likely to perceive rudeness in later interactions, leading to a vicious cycle. The study's findings provide evidence that everyday impoliteness spreads in the workplace, having a powerful negative effect on performance.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJul 16, 2015

New in the Hastings Center Report: Disclosing misattributed parentage, treating terrorists, informed consent in the era of personalized medicine, and more in the July-August 2015 issue

Genome researchers should disclose misattributed parentage to parents to respect their autonomy and sense of self. The issue also explores punishing health care providers for treating terrorists, highlighting the need for moral and legal clarity in such situations.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJul 16, 2015

Jurassic saw fastest mammal evolution

Mammals underwent rapid 'burst' of evolutionary change in the mid-Jurassic, producing characteristic body shapes that remained recognisable for tens of millions of years. This period of radical change produced up to 8 significant changes per million years, compared to 1-2 at the end of the Jurassic.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 16, 2015

Genetic markers linking risk for type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's identified

A recent study published in Molecular Aspects of Medicine has identified genetic markers that link an increased risk for developing both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The research, led by Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti, found specific genetic variations associated with higher susceptibility to both conditions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Aspects of Medicine·DateJul 16, 2015

Massive study: Birth order has no meaningful effect on personality or IQ

A massive study of 377,000 high school students found that first-borns have a one-IQ-point advantage over later-borns but the differences are statistically insignificant. First-borns tend to be more extroverted and conscientious, while later-borns have less anxiety, but these effects are infinitesimally small.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateJul 16, 2015

Scream if you have to

Researchers discovered that screams possess special acoustic properties, including roughness, which is a specific type of vocal expression used in stressful situations. Screams are modulated at a faster rate than normal speech, making them more attention-grabbing.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 16, 2015

New Ice Age may begin by 2030

Researchers predict a new Little Ice Age may begin by 2030, with reduced solar activity leading to significant cooling of the Earth's atmosphere. This decrease in solar irradiance could result in severe winters and cold summers, similar to those experienced during the Maunder minimum in the 17th century.

Innovative P.E. curriculum triples the rate at which students pass a state physical fitness test

A UCLA study found that the Sound Body Sound Mind curriculum tripled the percentage of students who passed California's standardized physical fitness test in under-resourced schools. The program increased students' confidence levels, enjoyment of physical activity, and knowledge about fitness.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Education and Training Studies·DateJul 16, 2015

Women and fragrances: Scents and sensitivity

A study published in Food Quality and Preference found that women tend to buy fragrances for men, suggesting a desire to influence their partner's scent preferences. In contrast, women are less likely to share or gift fragrances with other women, citing concerns about negative connotations.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateJul 16, 2015

The emerging science of human screams

Researchers found that human screams occupy a reserved chunk of the auditory spectrum and activate a range of acoustic information. Screams have a property called roughness, which refers to how fast a sound changes in loudness, making them more terrifying.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 16, 2015

Study: Virtual research studies feasible

A pilot study in Parkinson's disease suggests that remote recruitment and conduct of research visits is feasible and well-received by participants. The study leverages direct-to-consumer genetic testing and telemedicine to diagnose and treat diseases, potentially increasing participation in clinical research and accelerating diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalDigital Health·DateJul 16, 2015

Neuroscientists decipher brain's noisy code

Researchers at Rice University deciphered how individual neurons predict behavior in perceptual tests, finding that neurons often share the same information. The study explains a long-standing paradox in neural activity and has implications for understanding neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

SourceRice University·JournalNeuron·DateJul 16, 2015

Oskar's structure revealed

The structure of Oskar's two domains has been solved, enabling researchers to understand how the protein functions in developing reproductive cells. The OSK domain binds to RNA, while the LOTUS domain interacts with an enzyme called Vasa helicase, which is crucial for germ plasm formation.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 16, 2015

Eating habits matter most with overweight children

A recent study reveals that eating habits play a crucial role in the weight gain of overweight children. The researchers found that children who are triggered by food and eat when they are full tend to have a steeper BMI curve. In contrast, physical activity and TV viewing do not explain why some children's BMI increases more than others.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateJul 16, 2015

How birds learn foreign languages

Researchers at Australian National University trained fairy wrens to recognize unfamiliar alarm calls and flee when threatened, demonstrating birds' ability to eavesdrop on other species. This breakthrough could aid in training captive animals to detect danger signals before release.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 16, 2015

Humped-back model of plant diversity withstands controversy

A new study using data from six continents provides strong evidence supporting the humped-back model (HBM) of plant species richness. The HBM theory suggests that environmental stress can lead to low plant productivity, with highly competitive species dominating at high productivity levels. The research found a very strong correlation ...

Presidents of National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences Present new initiative on ethics of human gene editing technology

The National Academies have launched an international initiative to address the technical, social, and ethical issues surrounding human genome editing. The initiative aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of human genome editing and its implications for improving human health and boosting food production.

Study: Health-care providers hold biases based on sexual orientation

A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals, hold implicit biases towards lesbian women and gay men. The study used the Sexuality Implicit Association Test to assess attitudes towards sexual orientation among over 200,000 p...

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 16, 2015