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Science News for June 23, 2015


Researchers reconstruct dinosaur tracks

Researchers reconstructed dinosaur tracks at a 154-million-year-old quarry site, suggesting carnivorous dinosaurs hunted herbivorous island-dwelling dinosaurs. The digital model reveals that the predators could have immigrated via a land bridge as sea levels dropped.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPalaeontologia Electronica·DateJun 23, 2015

University of Iowa studies impact of marijuana on driving

A new study conducted at the University of Iowa's National Advanced Driving Simulator found that drivers who use both alcohol and marijuana together weaved more on a virtual roadway than those using either substance independently. The study, which analyzed the effects of inhaled cannabis on driving performance, also found no double eff...

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJun 23, 2015

The pertussis pathogen -- New findings

Researchers discovered that the protein structure of a key membrane protein differs from a previously postulated model, providing a basis for new treatments. The study reveals how the protein pore opens and closes in response to substrate binding, offering insights into the pathogen's attachment mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2015

Commodity market volatility more perception than reality

Researchers found that commodity price bubbles were short-lived and not as frequent as thought. Bubbles in the grain markets occurred more often during periods of production problems rather than speculative activity. The study's findings suggest that the commodity market is doing a good job of accessing prices, with only minor hiccups.

'Pick and mix' smart materials for robotics

Scientists at the University of Cambridge developed a method to combine multiple functions in a single material by integrating structure at the nanoscale. This approach enables the creation of multi-functional artificial muscles that can move, sense, and report on their environment.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 23, 2015

Biomanufacturing of CdS quantum dots

A team of Lehigh University engineers has developed a novel approach for the reproducible biosynthesis of extracellular, water-soluble quantum dots using bacteria and cadmium sulfide. This method reduces cost and environmental impact by utilizing an engineered strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to control particle size.

SourceLehigh University·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 23, 2015

The shame of psychology

UCSB sociologist Thomas Scheff argues that psychology's scientific method is blind to the insights of intuition, leading to misconceptions about catharsis, stigma, and self-esteem. Future studies could split scales into cognitive and emotional components to address these issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalReview of General Psychology·DateJun 23, 2015

Current blood cancer drug prices not justified, MD Anderson study finds

Current blood cancer drug prices are too high to be considered cost-effective in the US, according to a recent MD Anderson Cancer Center study. The researchers found that 63% of 20 studies evaluated had costs per additional life-year higher than $50,000, indicating that current prices cannot be justified based on improved quality of life.

Can heat be controlled as waves?

Thermal phonons can interfere with their own reflections, suggesting that heat transport occurs through wave-like phenomena. This interference could be used to modify the velocity of phonons and create energy bandgaps, leading to new materials with low thermal conductivity.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 23, 2015

Study concludes that racehorses are getting faster

A new study from the University of Exeter has found that racehorse speeds have improved greatly since 1850, with increases in speed greatest in shorter distance races. The researchers used a large data set of racing records to analyze thoroughbred performance at the elite level and found that horses are getting faster.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 23, 2015

The true cost of fueling conflict

A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that the US Department of Defense overspends on fuel costs by $1-9 billion annually, with a volatile crude oil market exacerbating the issue. Improving planning and budgeting practices could help mitigate these risks, according to the study.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPublic Budgeting &amp Finance·DateJun 23, 2015

Getting children to embrace healthy food

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that primary school children preferred snacks with enticing packaging designs over those with health information or standard labels. The researchers used a handgrip dynamometer to measure the children's motivation and taste test to determine their preferences.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJun 23, 2015

Cocktail of chemicals may trigger cancer -- global taskforce calls for research into how everyday chemicals in our environment may cause cancer

A global taskforce of 174 scientists has found 50 chemicals that may trigger cancer when combined, citing the need for increased research into everyday chemical exposures. The study suggests that long-term exposure to low-dose mixtures of environmental chemicals could be responsible for a significant proportion of cancers.

SourceBrunel University·JournalCarcinogenesis·DateJun 23, 2015

New light in terahertz window

Scientists at Jülich have developed a new concept for compact terahertz sources with tunable wavelengths using short-pulse lasers and strong external magnetic fields. This technology has the potential to revolutionize various applications, including non-invasive cancer screening and ultrafast wireless connections.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 23, 2015

Shining a stochastic spotlight on Ebola

Engineers at Lehigh University are developing stochastic models to study the dynamics of Ebola virus infection in bats and its potential human transmission. The goal is to quantify the risk associated with the virus's spread and provide a basis for resource allocation and epidemic response strategies.

Proximity to bike-sharing stations augments property values

A study by McGill University researchers found that homes near BIXI bike-sharing stations in central Montreal saw an average increase of 2.7% in sales price, with each station valued at $700 more in property value. The study suggests that other cities with similar systems may also experience similar effects on housing prices.

SourceMcGill University·JournalTransport Policy·DateJun 23, 2015