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Science News for June 29, 2015


Talk is cheap: New study finds words speak louder than actions

A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people are more likely to conform to others' preferences than actions. Researchers designed six experiments involving everyday activities to test this theory, revealing a pervasive tendency to adopt others' judgments as one's own.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 29, 2015

Picturing the forecast: NWS graphics developed with NCAR research

The National Weather Service is launching new graphics to communicate forecast information more clearly, based on research by a team at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The new icons feature split images and color-coded boxes to convey the existence, timing, and potential severity of upcoming weather threats.

New study supports safety and efficacy of Evekeo for treating children with ADHD

A new study published in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology found that Evekeo improves ADHD symptoms and behavior in children with ADHD. The medication, given once or twice daily, shows significant improvement in ADHD rating scores, especially within the first 10 hours post-dose.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·DateJun 29, 2015

What effect does marijuana really have on weight gain?

A new study by University of Montreal researchers found that long-term cannabis use is associated with weight gain, but this effect varies depending on factors such as gender and level of use. The study also showed that concomitant cigarette smoking can alter the relationship between cannabis use and weight gain.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalPharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior·DateJun 29, 2015

How your brain knows it's summer

A study published in PNAS reveals that the neurotransmitter GABA plays a crucial role in encoding seasonal changes through changes in chloride levels. By blocking GABA activity, researchers were able to synchronize the brain's internal clock, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for individuals with disrupted seasonal rhythms.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Hope for patients with chronic wounds

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that microRNA-132 plays a critical role in regulating the transition from inflammation to proliferation during wound healing. The researchers identified miR-132 as a therapeutic target for promoting healing and developing new treatments for chronic skin wounds.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 29, 2015

Physicists shatter stubborn mystery of how glass forms

Scientists have described the molecular-level process of glass formation, combining two decades-old theories to predict bulk behavior, surface flow, and the elusive glass transition. The new theory has implications for developing nanomaterials with conductive properties and calculating pharmaceutical uptake.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Stuck on you: Research shows fingerprint accuracy stays the same over time

A groundbreaking study published in PNAS has found that fingerprint recognition accuracy stays the same even after years of aging. Using large-scale data from the Michigan State Police, researchers Anil Jain and Soweon Yoon demonstrated that fingerprints remain stable over time, addressing a long-standing concern in forensic science.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Atmospheric mysteries unraveling

Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder discovered that halogen reactions from ocean air can turn mercury into a water-soluble form that stays high in the atmosphere for long periods. This process may help explain why mercury deposition is so widespread and persistent in some regions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Exit dinosaurs, enter fishes

Scientists discover that mass extinction event triggered by asteroid strike led to the rise of ray-finned fishes as the ocean's most diverse and dominant vertebrates. The abundance of ray-finned fish teeth began to explode after the extinction event, becoming eight times more abundant in 24 million years.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

First-ever possible treatments for MERS

Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered two therapeutics that neutralize the MERS virus, providing early hope for treatment and prevention. The study validated these treatments using animal models, setting the stage for clinical trials to test their effectiveness in humans.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

His and her pain circuitry in the spinal cord

Researchers found that male and female mice process pain using different cells, with female mice relying on T cells to sound the pain alarm. This discovery has far-reaching implications for developing targeted pain medications and highlights the need for more inclusive preclinical research.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2015

Too exhausted to fight -- and to do harm

Research from the University of Cambridge found that exhausted immune cells are bad news for infections, but good news for autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease. The study suggests that targeting T cell exhaustion could lead to more effective treatments for these conditions.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2015

Who takes care of whom? Surprising new evidence

A new study reveals that adults in the US provide over a billion hours of unpaid caregiving every week, primarily provided by women. The researchers project a rise in the need for such care, with the value of unpaid care projected to increase to $839 billion by 2050.

SourcePopulation Council·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateJun 29, 2015

Societies issue recommendations for left atrial appendage occlusion

The American College of Cardiology has released recommendations for the implantation of left atrial appendage occlusion devices, which may lower the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The new guidelines emphasize team-based care and the need for robust clinical data on outcomes for patients treated with these devices.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 29, 2015

GPs and the Fit for Work scheme

The GP's advisory role in the new Fit for Work scheme aims to provide additional support for those at risk of long-term incapacity. GPs can help patients weigh up pros and cons of returning to work, reducing negative consequences.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateJun 29, 2015

Let's talk about sex

A study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that seniors are using online communities to discuss sex and share advice on keeping their mojo working. The websites provide opportunities for this population to explore its sexuality and overcome sexual vulnerabilities, such as health issues and limited access to information.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Leisure Research·DateJun 29, 2015

OU student use nation's weather radar network to track bird migration at night

Two University of Oklahoma doctoral students have developed a technique to forecast the orientation behavior of birds as they migrate through the atmosphere at night using the nation's weather radar network. The approach has discovered broad-scale flight orientation of nocturnal migrant birds, offering a promising development for biolo...

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateJun 29, 2015

Using bacterial 'fight clubs' to find new drugs

A team of Vanderbilt chemists used a novel approach called 'fight clubs' to identify promising new anti-cancer compounds from natural sources. By analyzing the interactions between bacteria and other microorganisms, they discovered a class of biomolecules with broad-spectrum activity.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateJun 29, 2015

Cattle ID system shows its muzzle

Researchers in Egypt have developed a biometric identification system for cattle using unique muzzle features, reducing the risk of food fraud and improving tracking efficiency. The system achieved high accuracy rates of 94% in actual tests, making it a promising solution for ranchers to control their stock.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Image Mining·DateJun 29, 2015

Humans across the world dance to the same beat

A new study by University of Exeter and Tokyo University of the Arts found that songs from around the world share features like strong rhythm to enable coordination and group bonding. The researchers analysed 304 recordings of diverse music, revealing dozens of statistical universals related to pitch, rhythm, and social context.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Umbilical cord 'milking' improves blood flow in preterm infants

A technique called cord milking increases blood flow from the umbilical cord to the infant's circulatory system, improving blood pressure and red blood cell levels in preterm infants delivered by Cesarean section. This study found benefits only in Cesarean-delivered infants, while vaginal births showed no difference.

Almost 1 in 3 US adults owns at least 1 gun

A recent study found that nearly a third of US adults own guns, with a higher prevalence among white married men over 55. Gun ownership is also linked to social gun culture, where family or friends also own guns or engage in activities involving firearms.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateJun 29, 2015

Acceptance of working moms at all-time high

Research from San Diego State University reveals that societal acceptance of working mothers is at an all-time high among millennials. Attitudes towards women's work and family roles have changed significantly since the 1970s, with only 22% of 12th graders in the 2010s believing a preschool-aged child would suffer if their mother worked.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateJun 29, 2015

Recent mercury pollution on the rise, but quick to change, Dartmouth-led study shows

A Dartmouth-led study using a 600-year-old ice core shows that global mercury pollution increased dramatically during the 20th century, but declined faster than previously thought after emissions started to decrease in the late 1970s. The study suggests present-day efforts to cut mercury emissions will reduce pollution more quickly tha...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 29, 2015

Is marriage good or bad for the figure?

A comparative study of 9 European countries found that married couples have a higher body mass index than singles, with differences attributed to changes in eating behaviors. However, the study also shows that married couples tend to eat healthier, with increased consumption of regional and organic products.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJun 29, 2015

Public health surveillance system may underestimate cases of acute hepatitis C infection

A new study suggests that less than 1% of diagnosed acute hepatitis C cases met CDC reporting criteria, indicating massive underreporting in the public health surveillance system. This finding is crucial for guiding public health initiatives and planning for future needs, as accurate estimates are essential for targeting resources.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 29, 2015

Food for thought: Use more forages in livestock farming

Researchers argue that increasing the use of forages to feed livestock can enhance food security and improve productive capacity in poor producers. They suggest introducing new forage varieties and animal management practices to specific farming areas, as well as coordinated efforts by farmers, extension workers, and scientists.

SourceSpringer·JournalAMBIO·DateJun 29, 2015

Computers get with the beat

Researchers developed a simple system to automate music genre categorization by focusing on just pitch, tempo, and amplitude variation patterns. The approach uses random sample consensus (RANSAC) as a classifier and demonstrated accuracy in seven major musical genres.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computational Intelligence Studies·DateJun 29, 2015

Experts cover MERS outbreak in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

The recent MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea spread quickly due to poor infection prevention and control measures, overcrowding, and environmental contamination. The authors emphasize the importance of implementing stringent hospital protocols, contact tracing, and mandatory quarantine for close contacts.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 29, 2015

Stink bugs have strong taste for ripe fruit

Researchers found stink bugs track ripening fruit to maximize food access, suggesting limiting fruit availability in spring and fall could be an effective strategy for controlling stink bug populations. The study provides critical intelligence in the battle against these pests and their annual destruction.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Pest Science·DateJun 29, 2015

License plate decals don't seem to curb learner driver crash rates

Research published in Injury Prevention found that license plate decals did not reduce crash rates among young drivers with learner permits in New Jersey. The study analyzed data from January 2006 to June 2012 and found no association between decal provision and crash rates, citing high compliance with passenger restrictions

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateJun 29, 2015