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Science News for May 22, 2015


Nonfriction literature

The National Science Foundation has funded a project to develop ultralow-wear composite materials for industrial applications, with the goal of reducing friction and wear costs. The research will explore material structures, composition, processing, and operating conditions to improve tribological performance.

Anticipating temptation may reduce unethical behavior, research finds

A study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology suggests that anticipating ethical temptations can decrease the likelihood of unethical behavior. Participants who anticipated temptation were less likely to engage in dishonest behavior and more likely to maintain consistency with their long-term goals and moral se...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 22, 2015

BAMS article outlines 20-year process to create meteorological partnership between US and Cuba

The US and Cuba have formed a groundbreaking meteorological partnership after a 20-year process, enabling the sharing of critical weather data and GPS monitoring equipment. This collaboration marks a significant improvement in forecasting accuracy for hurricanes and tropical storms, benefiting both countries.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateMay 22, 2015

An evolutionary heads-up

A study by the University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna found that larger brain size confers a survival advantage to female guppies, but not males. The research, which released large- and small-brained guppies into semi-natural streams, revealed that large-brained fish are better at evading predators, leading to higher survival rates.

Faster heart rate linked to diabetes risk

A four-year study of 73,357 Chinese adults found that faster heart rates were positively associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes. Participants with faster heart rates had a 23% increased risk of diabetes for every 10 beats per minute, similar to the effects of a 3 kilogram per meter square increase in body mass index.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateMay 22, 2015

Subconscious learning shapes pain responses

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that people can be conditioned to associate images with specific pain responses without conscious awareness. This study suggests that unconscious learning may have a significant impact on higher cognitive processes, including pain perception.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2015