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Science News for May 12, 2015


Mining pollution alters fish genetics in southwest England

New research reveals that mining pollution has led to a significant reduction in the genetic diversity of brown trout populations in southwest England. The study found that these fish have adapted to live in water with high levels of metal contaminants, but this adaptation comes at the cost of reduced genetic variation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateMay 12, 2015

Seven in 10 take early pension payout

A Michigan State University study found that 71% of Croatian retirees chose smaller, earlier pension payouts when given the option, with those who were poor or distrusted the government more likely to make this choice. The study provides crucial insight into individuals' preferences and reasoning when early payouts may be offered

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateMay 12, 2015

College readiness declines when school's focus is improving test scores, study finds

A new study found that accountability sanctions in Texas led to a decline in college readiness, as schools focused on improving test scores rather than academic rigor. The researchers discovered that students were stigmatized by their school's negative reputation and faced limited social support from inexperienced teachers.

Survival from rare bone cancer remains low

A Loyola University Medical Center study found that among 205 cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, more than half survived at least five years and 43 percent survived at least 10 years. Survival rates varied depending on tumor location, with axial tumors showing worse outcomes.

Can diet and exercise prevent muscle loss in old age?

A recent review of combined diet and exercise training trials found that the effects differ across studies, suggesting more research is needed to determine their benefits for older people. Exercise training and diet supplementation have been shown to be effective in preventing muscle loss, but little is known about their combined effects.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalClinical Interventions in Aging·DateMay 12, 2015

Political talk on Facebook mirrors political talk offline

A study published in Political Research Quarterly found that social media platforms don't break new ground among political discussion forums. Users with strong social connections tend to prefer like-minded discussions and tailor their privacy settings accordingly. In contrast, users who facilitate connections between different groups a...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·DateMay 12, 2015

Wetlands continue to reduce nitrates

Researchers found that wetlands created between tile-drained agricultural fields and rivers can remove 62% of nitrates from water. The slow flow of water through the wetland allows microbes to eliminate nitrate, reducing its emission as a greenhouse gas. Building a wetland is an effective long-term solution for reducing nitrate runoff.

Malaria testing yet to reach its potential

A new model systematically evaluates malaria treatment programs in multiple countries, finding no country shows reductions in malaria treatment associated with testing as hypothesized. Contextual factors such as access to care and stockouts largely explain the variation in program experiences.

SourceUppsala University·JournalMalaria Journal·DateMay 12, 2015

Nerve cells in the fast lane

Dopamine-producing neurons play a crucial role in signal transmission, influencing motor control, reward behaviour, motivation, and impulse control. The discovery reveals that glutamate facilitates rapid signal transmission, enabling the brain to respond quickly to stimuli.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 12, 2015

Baboons prefer to spend time with others of the same age, status and even personality

New research shows that chacma baboons associate with others of similar age, dominance rank, and even personality type. This homophily may limit the dissemination of new knowledge to the wider troop. The study tracked two baboon troops over several months and found bolder animals tend to spend more time with like-minded individuals.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMay 12, 2015

A helping paw for a sinking rat

Researchers found that rats learn to help a distressed cagemate gain access to safety in exchange for rewards, indicating empathy-like feelings. Those with previous water experiences were quicker to learn this skill.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateMay 12, 2015

Kissing cousins, arranged marriages and genetic diversity

A study examines the effects of arranged marriages on genetic diversity, finding that Rindi people's relaxed compliance with their marriage rules produces a genetic diversity similar to random mating. The researchers developed an open-source tool called SMARTPOP to analyze other marriage rules worldwide.

Delta Cephei's hidden companion

A team of researchers has discovered a hidden companion to Delta Cephei, a key variable star used for measuring cosmic distances. The companion, with a mass around 10 times lower than Delta Cephei's, was detected using high-precision Doppler spectroscopy and is likely to impact the accuracy of distance measurements.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 12, 2015

New insights into the male bias of autism

Research published in Molecular Autism found that male toddlers with autism have distinct brain structure changes compared to females, suggesting separate evaluation and early developmental markers. Additionally, studies suggest a 'female protective effect' through sex differences in genes and prenatal hormones.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMolecular Autism·DateMay 12, 2015

Male hormones help lemur females rule

Researchers found that female lemurs have higher testosterone levels in some species, leading to dominant behavior and challenging traditional gender roles. This discovery suggests that hormones play a role in female dominance in these animals.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 12, 2015

Rethinking the rebound: Unexpected effects of rejection

A new study found that rejection by an attractive man led women to derogate and reject unattractive men, highlighting the importance of assurance in social connections. The researchers replicated the effect, suggesting that immediate acceptance may not be the primary goal after rejection.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMay 12, 2015