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Science News for March 17, 2015


Viewers vs. doers

A new study by the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that women who watch cooking shows for entertainment and don't often cook tend to weigh less than those who watch for inspiration and cook from scratch. The researchers surveyed 501 women aged 20-35 and discovered a significant association between TV viewing habits and weight.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalAppetite·DateMar 17, 2015

How we became nature -- Anthropocene

The Anthropocene epoch is characterized by human impact on the environment, including climate disruption, overpopulation, and pollution. The authors present evidence of a new geological era where human activities determine the planet's behavior.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalChemistry-Didactics-Ecology-Metrology·DateMar 17, 2015

UTSW neuroscientists identify cell type in the brain that controls body clock circadian rhythms

Researchers have identified a group of SCN neurons expressing neuromedin S that are necessary and sufficient for controlling circadian rhythms. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which light synchronizes body clock rhythms, offering potential targets for future treatments of diseases related to circadian dysfunction.

Diet soda linked to increases in belly fat in older adults

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that diet soda intake is directly linked to greater abdominal obesity in adults 65 years of age and older. Increasing waist circumference was associated with escalating cardiometabolic risk in older adults.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMar 17, 2015

A pinch of baking soda for better vision?

A new study suggests that bicarbonate modifies the visual signal generated by rod and cone photoreceptors, leading to improved tracking of moving objects while slightly reducing sensitivity to light. The researchers hope to explore the potential of controlling bicarbonate levels in the eye to slow or prevent eye diseases.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateMar 17, 2015

Research uncovers flawed IQ scoring system

A study by Queen's University professor Allyson Harrison found significant differences between Canadian and American IQ scores from postsecondary students. The research revealed that using Canadian norms resulted in lower scores for Canadian young adults, leading to incorrect classifications of intellectual abilities.

SourceQueen's University·JournalJournal of Psychoeducational Assessment·DateMar 17, 2015

Greater-than-additive management effects key in reducing corn yield gaps

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that an intensified management system increased corn yields by 28%, primarily due to the combined effects of Bt trait, strobilurin-containing fungicide, and balanced nutrition. The study suggests that no single factor is crucial, but rather the synergistic effect of all five management fa...

Interdisciplinary, OA journal launched by the Ecological Societies of American and China

The new journal, Ecosystem Health and Sustainability, aims to publish research applying ecological science to sustainable development at local, national, and international scales. It encourages integration of natural, social, and behavioral studies and seeks research with implications for strategic planning and governance.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcosystem Health and Sustainability·DateMar 17, 2015

Better breakfast, better grades

A new study from the University of Iowa found that schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's School Breakfast Program have higher achievement scores in math, science, and reading than non-participating schools. This is particularly true for students from low-income families.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateMar 17, 2015

Women retain insulin sensitivity better than men

Researchers at McMaster University found that women's muscle appears more efficient in neutralizing the protein PTEN, which reduces insulin resistance and increases protection against type 2 diabetes. This discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for improving muscle responses to insulin and treating the disease.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 17, 2015

The future of 'bioprocessing' for medical therapies

Continuous bioprocessing is gaining consideration as a method of industrial bioprocessing, with potential advantages including lower costs and increased efficiency. Dr. Konstantin Konstantinov and Dr. Charles Cooney emphasize the need for methods to evolve around this new platform.

SourceWiley·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateMar 17, 2015

3-D snapshot of protein highlights potential drug target for breast cancer

A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals that human DNA polymerase theta may be a promising drug therapy target for inhibiting breast cancer. The researchers used X-ray crystallography to determine the first crystal structures of POLQ, providing insights into its role in DNA repair and genomic instability.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 17, 2015

Joint fluid harbors bacterial clumps after replacement despite pre-surgery antibiotics

Despite pre-surgery antibiotics, bacterial clumps persist in joint fluid, forming protective mesh of proteins that slow growth and make them resistant to treatment. The study identified a key reason for the difficulty in curing joint infections: biofilm-like clumps of bacteria that harbor antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateMar 17, 2015

Data structures influence speed of quantum search in unexpected ways

A new analysis found that highly connected databases don't always support fastest quantum computing, with low connectivity yielding fast search in some cases. Researchers used the properties of superposition to model a quantum particle's movement through a database, demonstrating the unexpected influence of data structure on search speed.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 17, 2015