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Science News for July 7, 2015


Conflicts 4,000 years ago

A new LOEWE research focus at the Goethe University Frankfurt is investigating Bronze Age forts between the Taunus and Carpathian mountains. The study aims to uncover the social historical perspective of violent conflict during this period, comparing it to early Middle Ages conditions.

Childhood stress fuels weight gain in women

A national study by Michigan State University sociologist Hui Liu found that childhood stress fuels weight gain in women, while adult stress has no significant impact on men's weight. Childhood family-related stressors such as economic hardship and divorce were associated with rapid weight gain in women.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJul 7, 2015

Intelligent big multimedia databases

The book explores how hierarchical organization, wavelet transformation, subspace trees, and deep learning can overcome the curse of dimensionality to develop efficient big multimedia databases. It introduces essential statistical supervised machine learning algorithms for information retrieval.

Cutting health care costs isn't easy

A new study from the University of Iowa found that improving access to affordable primary care reduced preventable hospital stays for black and Hispanics who receive both Medicare and Medicaid. However, it also showed that trips to the emergency department went up among all dual eligibles, regardless of race or ethnicity. The study sug...

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJul 7, 2015

Hospital readmissions for sepsis are highly common, extremely costly

A new UCLA study found that sepsis accounts for a significant percentage of hospital readmissions in California, with an estimated annual cost of $500 million. The study also revealed disparities in readmission rates among different demographics, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this critical issue.

Marijuana users substitute alcohol at 21

A recent study by University of Illinois economists found that marijuana users between 18-24 years old drastically reduced their marijuana use when they turned 21 and gained access to alcohol. The study suggests that alcohol may be substituting for marijuana, with women showing a greater decrease in marijuana use than men.

Predicting happiness of couples raising children with autism

A study by researchers at the University of Miami found that individual traits such as optimism, social and spouse support, benefit finding, and coping styles positively associated with better relationship satisfaction for parents of children with ASD. The study highlights the importance of positive traits in enhancing family functioni...

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJul 7, 2015

Successful model for statewide collaborative initiative to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions

A statewide collaborative initiative in South Carolina reduced avoidable hospital readmissions by improving healthcare transitions after discharge. The Preventing Avoidable Readmissions Together (PART) initiative engaged over 90% of the state's acute care hospitals, leading to a promising model for care transitions strategies.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalPopulation Health Management·DateJul 7, 2015

Mammography benefits overestimated

A review of randomised trials on cancer screening finds that mammographic screening may not reduce breast cancer mortality as expected. The study suggests that the benefits of mammography screening are likely to have been overestimated due to an unconventional statistical method used in earlier trials.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateJul 7, 2015

Mitochondrial metagenomics: How '-omics' is saving wild bees

A new approach developed by scientists from the China National Genebank (CNGB), BGI-Shenzhen demonstrates the value of mitochondrial genome databases in detecting wild bees in UK farms. The method uses mitogenome references to analyze 'bee soup' DNA, providing a more accurate and efficient way to track population trajectories.

SourceBGI Shenzhen·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateJul 7, 2015

Taking the pain out of office work

Researchers at McGill University found that treadmill workstations lower neck and shoulder muscle activity, leading to less discomfort. The study suggests that minor movements and adjustments can help prevent muscle pain in office workers.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateJul 7, 2015

Poverty plays complex role in entrepreneurship for Indian women

A study of over 150 poor women in southern India found that chronic constraints can spur entrepreneurial activity as long as periodic constraints are kept low. However, a barrage of periodic constraints can hinder entrepreneurial intention. Education can increase entrepreneurial self-efficacy and enable women to overcome temporary setb...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateJul 7, 2015

The ins and outs of QCD

Scientists are searching for exotic mesons that don't fit traditional patterns, which could reveal new insights into QCD. The JLab team uses the Titan Supercomputer to analyze interactions between quarks and gluons in a vacuum, aiming to predict these hypothetical particles from first principles.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJul 7, 2015

Timber and construction, a well-matched couple

A new methodology has been developed to assess the environmental sustainability of timber structures, taking into account factors such as social responsibility and economic development. The tool evaluates various criteria and indicators to produce an Environmental Sustainability Index for these structures.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateJul 7, 2015

Discovery could improve in vitro fertilization success rates for women around the world

Researchers discovered that chromosomal abnormalities in human embryos can be predicted within the first 30 hours of development. This finding could improve IVF success rates, which have hovered around 30-35 percent worldwide. By analyzing a single cell level, they identified 12 genes that are activated prior to the first cell division.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2015

Sculpting a cell's backside

Researchers discovered a new protein, Callipygian, which aids in cell migration by shutting off proteins at the front edge of cells. The protein helps create the back of a cell, allowing it to move directionally.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2015

Chapman University publishes research on friendship

The study examines how US adults rely on friends for expressive, instrumental, and companionate support, with findings suggesting similar numbers of friends across genders and sexual orientations. GLB individuals have similar numbers of friends as heterosexual men and women, and close friendships are linked to overall life satisfaction.

SourceChapman University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 7, 2015

Could black phosphorus be the next silicon?

Researchers at McGill University and Université de Montréal report that black phosphorus can help overcome the challenge of designing energy-efficient transistors. The material's two-dimensional properties allow electrons to move in only two dimensions, making it a promising candidate for future electronics.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2015

Fishing ban rescues Robben Island penguin chicks

A three-year fishery closure around Robben Island increased African penguin chick survival rates by 18%, a significant improvement for the endangered species. The study highlights the importance of small no-take zones in improving demographic parameters of mobile species like the African penguin.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 7, 2015

Cancer drug 49 times more potent than Cisplatin

Researchers have developed a new cancer drug FY26 that is 49 times more potent than Cisplatin, effectively shutting down the metabolism of cancer cells. The drug works by forcing cancer cells to use their mitochondria, which are defective in healthy cells, leading to cell death.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2015

Energiewende in the Alps: Switzerland's transition away from nuclear

Switzerland seeks to replace nuclear power with a mix of renewable energy sources, including wind, photovoltaics, and hydropower. The country aims to be largely independent of fossil fuels by 2034, reducing carbon intensity through efficient production processes and substantial reductions in consumption.

SourceSAGE·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·DateJul 7, 2015

Smartphones may be detrimental to learning process

A Rice University study found that smartphone users believed smartphones would improve their academic performance but ultimately reported detrimental effects on their ability to learn. The study suggests that providing access to smartphones without specific directed learning activities can be counterproductive to the learning process.

SourceRice University·JournalBritish Journal of Educational Technology·DateJul 7, 2015

Optical 'dog's nose' may hold key to breath analysis

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a non-invasive breath analysis system using an optical frequency comb, which measures molecular content in gas samples with high accuracy and speed. The system has promising potential for broad-scale health screening and could be available commercially in 3-5 years.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Express·DateJul 7, 2015

Omnidirectional free space wireless charging developed

Researchers at KAIST have developed a wireless-power transfer (WPT) technology that allows mobile devices to be charged in any direction, even when away from the power source. The system can charge multiple devices simultaneously and wirelessly, with an efficiency of up to 34%, making it ideal for emergency situations.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics·DateJul 7, 2015

Customer commitment has many faces, differs globally

Researchers tested a five-dimensional commitment model, finding that affective commitment is the single largest contributor to customer loyalty. Habitual commitment also plays a significant role, with increased usage leading to developed habits and regimes that build commitment. The study provides insights into the nuanced ways custome...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Service Research·DateJul 7, 2015

Pupil response predicts depression risk in kids

Children of depressed mothers who show increased pupil dilation to sad faces are at higher risk of developing depressive symptoms and diagnoses over two years. The study suggests pupillometry could be used as a low-cost tool for pediatricians to identify children at highest risk.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateJul 7, 2015