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Science News Archive July 2015 - Page 17


Page 17 of 34

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

Your phone knows if you're depressed

A study by Northwestern University found that smartphone sensor data can detect depression with 87% accuracy, analyzing time spent on phones and daily locations. The research uses GPS tracking and algorithms to identify patterns associated with depression, paving the way for passive detection and potential interventions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateJul 15, 2015

CU researchers offer lower-cost procedure for children with digestive tract problems

Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have developed a safe and lower-cost way to diagnose and treat digestive tract problems in children, using unsedated transnasal endoscopy. The procedure has been shown to be effective in evaluating pediatric patients with potentially chronic problems in their esophagus, reduc...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJul 15, 2015