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Science News Archive March 2015 - Page 37


Page 37 of 38

The more friends you drink with ... the more you drink

A new study published in Addiction found that individuals tend to consume more alcohol when surrounded by friends, especially among young adult males. The research used internet-based questionnaires to survey nearly 200 drinkers in Switzerland, finding a positive correlation between social group size and drinking frequency.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateMar 2, 2015

Maternal health in India much worse than previously thought

A new study reveals that over 40% of Indian women are underweight before pregnancy, leading to lower birth weights and potential long-term consequences. The findings highlight the need for improved maternal nutrition monitoring in India, where social status and patriarchal societies contribute to health disparities.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2015

Licorice manufacturers encouraged to state daily limit of consumption

A 10-year-old boy developed seizures and hypertension after consuming excessive licorice sweets. The case study highlights the dangers of overconsumption of glycyrrhizic acid in licorice, a risk particularly high for children with low body weight. Manufacturers are urged to state recommended daily limits as a safety measure.

SourceElsevier·JournalPediatric Neurology·DateMar 2, 2015

Democratizing synthetic biology

A new protein production method developed by Northwestern University researchers makes cell-free protein synthesis faster and cheaper, addressing a technological gap in the field. The approach uses standard lab equipment and produces crude extract catalysts in less time, enabling more researchers to enter the field.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2015

Sad movies are fattening

A study from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that movie-goers watching tearjerkers ate 28-55% more popcorn during the Thanksgiving holiday. This increased consumption was attributed to emotional eating triggered by sad movies.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 2, 2015

Water in smog may reveal pollution sources

Researchers have found combustion water in Salt Lake City's winter inversions, with cars and home heating being the largest sources. The study provides a new method for measuring greenhouse gas emissions and studying urban weather.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2015

Smart crystallization

Researchers have developed a novel nucleating agent that improves crystal quality for reluctant proteins and boosts the probability of success in high-throughput trials. The modified molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is suitable for automated optimization, making it a potent tool for structural biologists.

Breakthrough in OLED technology

Researchers in California and Japan develop OLEDs with finely patterned structures, producing bright, low-power light sources. The key finding is confining charge transport and recombination to nanoscale areas, extending electroluminescent efficiency by almost two orders of magnitude.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 2, 2015

Despite federal law, some insurance exchange plans offer unequal mental health coverage

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that one-quarter of insurance exchange plans appear non-compliant with parity laws requiring equal benefits for general medical and mental health care. The research highlights inconsistencies in benefit brochures, including prior authorization requirements and financial r...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateMar 2, 2015

The rub with friction

Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered that friction forces are nearly 1,000 times greater than previously thought at the microscopic level. This breakthrough understanding of friction is an important step toward designing next-generation microscopic and nanotechnologies.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 2, 2015

Kids who lack sympathy more likely to share with virtuous friends

A recent study published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology found that children who struggle with sympathy are more likely to share resources with peers they respect. The research suggests a compensatory relationship between sympathy and respect, helping kids navigate prosocial solutions even when empathy is lacking.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·JournalBritish Journal of Developmental Psychology·DateMar 2, 2015

Understanding lung disease in aboriginal Australians

A new study found that Aboriginal Australians have low forced vital capacity due to environmental and socioeconomic factors. This discovery challenges the previous notion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) being more common among Aboriginal Australians.

SourceWiley·JournalRespirology·DateMar 2, 2015

Mutation may cause early loss of sperm supply

A study by Brown University biologists reveals that the loss of a gene in male mice leads to premature exhaustion of their fertility, with mice being fertile at first but quickly depleting their limited sperm supply. The research provides fundamental insights into sperm generation and has implications for understanding human fertility.

SourceBrown University·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 2, 2015

Republicans trust science -- except when it comes to health insurance and gay adoption

A new study finds that Republicans generally defer to science on most issues, with only four exceptions: global warming, evolution, gay adoption, and mandatory health insurance. The study reveals that Republicans are more likely to trust science than independents and Democrats across a range of policy areas.

SourceSAGE·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateMar 2, 2015

Scientists override the body's inflammatory response

Researchers have deciphered the mechanism of interleukin 37 (IL-37), a powerful inhibitor of inflammation, revealing its ability to regulate and control inflammation by binding to specific receptors on target cells. The findings hold promise for developing new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and autoi...

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 2, 2015

Income inequality is taking a toll on the health of American workers

Research at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health finds that income inequality affects worker health, with stagnant wages and increased healthcare costs contributing to high stress, cardiovascular disease, and lower life expectancy. The study highlights the need for policies addressing workplace conditions and improving working-class h...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMar 2, 2015

Supersonic electrons could produce future solar fuel

Researchers at Lund University successfully tracked supersonic electrons through a light-converting molecule, finding that the conversion of light to chemical energy happens rapidly without energy loss as heat. The study provides insights into constructing molecules for artificial photosynthesis, paving the way for solar fuel production.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2015