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Science News for May 27, 2015


Study reveals novel use of 3-D imaging for measurement of injectable wrinkle reducers

Researchers developed a novel method to measure injectable wrinkle reducer efficacy using 3D imaging. The technique, called speckle tracking photogrammetry, allows for objective evaluation of wrinkle reduction and optimal dosage. It has the potential to guide physician and consumer choice in individual cases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateMay 27, 2015

The Albian Gap, salt rock, and a heated debate

A new study critiques the geological and geophysical evidence supporting competing models for the origin of the Albian Gap, a feature along the Brazilian continental margin. The researchers suggest that much of this evidence is not diagnostic of either model, highlighting the need for a revised understanding of the structure's origin.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateMay 27, 2015

The least religious generation

A study of 11.2 million US adolescents over 50 years found that millennials have lower religious involvement than previous generations, due to cultural change rather than youth-related factors. This trend is part of a larger cultural context of rising individualism in the US.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 27, 2015

Lethal wounds on skull may indicate 430,000-year-old murder

A nearly complete skull from the Sima de los Huesos cave site in northern Spain shows two penetrating lesions that may indicate an act of lethal interpersonal aggression around 430,000 years ago. The injuries are unlikely to be caused by a fall and suggest early evidence of funerary behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 27, 2015

Penn Medical School dean: Precision medicine is 'personalized, problematic, and promising'

The rapidly emerging field of precision medicine is characterized by its use of genetic, biomarker, and psychosocial characteristics to tailor treatments for individual patients. While it holds great promise, precision medicine also raises concerns about the balance between patient needs and fiscal management.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 27, 2015

On the trail of the clever snail

Researchers found that snails vary in their ability to remember and respond to training, with those good at one type of memory being poor at others. The study reveals that there is no universally smart snail, but rather individuals are smart at some things but not everything.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 27, 2015

Signal identified that prompts one kidney to grow larger when the other is lost

Researchers have discovered a key driver of kidney growth in response to losing a single organ, highlighting the importance of protein synthesis and mTORC1 activation. By understanding this mechanism, they hope to develop new strategies for preserving kidney function in patients with a single functioning kidney.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 27, 2015

Hallucinations and delusions more common than thought

A comprehensive international study found that approximately five percent of the general population experiences hallucinations and delusions at some point in their lives. The study, involving over 31,000 participants from 19 countries, revealed that these experiences can be temporary and not always linked to serious mental illness.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMay 27, 2015

New planning toolset gives farmers more options for improving water quality

A promising new solution for improving water quality is the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), a systematic approach to identifying best options for reducing nutrient losses and erosion within a watershed. The framework provides an inventory of conservation possibilities, allowing farmers and stakeholders to choose th...

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateMay 27, 2015

Job-sharing with nursing robot

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed Terapio, a next-generation nursing robot that assists healthcare staff in delivering resources and recording patient information. The robot's friendly communication abilities and autonomous navigation capabilities enable efficient data management and care delivery.

Social media & archaeology -- a match not made in heaven

Archaeologists are using social media to save sites, but a new study warns of potential harm from naive initiatives without strategic oversight. The use of online platforms puts archaeologists at risk of harassment and exploitation, and local communities face unequal access to their heritage.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Archaeology·DateMay 27, 2015

Omitting market risk factor creates critical flaw in case-shiller home price indices

A new study reveals that omitting the market risk factor from the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Home Price Indices can create a critical flaw, leading to inaccurate estimates. The authors propose an alternative weight model to properly incorporate the market risk factor and demonstrate its impact using empirical evidence.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Real Estate Research·DateMay 27, 2015

Challenging students benefit from limit setting

A study by Jaana Viljaranta and colleagues found that limit setting is beneficial for children's math skill development, whereas guilt-inducing techniques hinder progress, especially among girls. The research project, funded by the Academy of Finland and Jacobs Foundation, examined teachers' interaction styles with around 150 children.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalChild Development·DateMay 27, 2015

Autism and rare childhood speech disorder often coincide

A study by Penn State researchers reveals that 64% of children initially diagnosed with autism also have apraxia, a rare neurological speech disorder. The Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CASD) accurately diagnoses autism in children with apraxia, and ongoing screenings are crucial to prevent long-term problems.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateMay 27, 2015

Sex chromosomes -- why the Y genes matter

Researchers found four essential genes that were lost from the human Y chromosome but relocated to other chromosomes, including one gene crucial for sperm production. These findings suggest a complex role of sex chromosomes in genetic function and may contribute to male infertility.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateMay 27, 2015

Reading the Earth's LIPS

Researchers have found a novel way to 'read the Earth's LIPS', revealing a previously missed connection between Large Igneous Provinces and mid-ocean ridges. This discovery changes our understanding of massive volcanism in ocean basins, suggesting that undersea eruptions are less catastrophic than thought.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 27, 2015

Dr. Gary Frishman authors editorial in Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

Dr. Gary Frishman's editorial in Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology suggests that second-look laparoscopy may not be the best approach due to its risks and high cost. The procedure, which involves a repeat surgery to check for adhesions after a previous treatment, is questioned by Dr. Frishman as a model for responsible healthcare.

SourceCare New England·JournalJournal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology·DateMay 27, 2015

3-D printing technique explored to help treat type 1 diabetes

Researchers developed a 3D printing technique to create scaffolds for insulin-producing cells, which showed full functionality and improved transplantation success rates. The bioplotting method enabled the creation of porous structures that facilitated glucose and insulin exchange, while protecting the cells from the immune system.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiofabrication·DateMay 27, 2015

NYU researchers examine obesity perceptions among Chinese-American adults in NYC

A recent study by NYU researchers found that approximately one-third of Chinese Americans incorrectly perceive their body weight. The study explored the accuracy of body weight perception and its impact on obesity among 162 participants, revealing significant differences among participants in terms of gender, age, and education years.

SourceNew York University·JournalObesity Research & Clinical Practice·DateMay 27, 2015

How spacetime is built by quantum entanglement

Physicists at University of Tokyo unify general relativity and quantum mechanics by showing how spacetime emerges from quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement generates extra dimensions of gravitational theory, shedding light on the microscopic structure of spacetime.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 27, 2015

Coping skills training in rheumaotoid arthritis research recognized by BSBS of MI

A randomized clinical trial found that cognitive-behavioral coping skills training had positive effects on pain and mood in rheumatoid arthritis patients for at least one year. Written emotional disclosure was less effective, with no long-term benefits on joint functioning or pain reduction.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateMay 27, 2015

'Hidden' fragrance compound can cause contact allergy

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that linalyl acetate, a common fragrance chemical, can react with oxygen to form allergenic hydroperoxides. Approximately 2% of tested individuals had allergic reactions to oxidized linalyl acetate, highlighting the need for broader testing and declaration on cosmetic products.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalContact Dermatitis·DateMay 27, 2015

Glacier changes at the top of the world

Researchers warn that Himalayan glaciers in the Everest region could experience dramatic change, with sustained ice loss likely through the 21st century. The study suggests that increased temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns will lead to reduced glacier growth and increased melt, impacting water availability and river flows.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateMay 27, 2015

A new era for genetic interpretation

ClinGen aims to standardize genetic variant interpretation, resolving differences between labs and clinicians. The program uses ClinVar, a database of over 170,000 variant submissions, and has formed expert working groups to interpret gene-disease relationships and improve clinical decision-making.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 27, 2015

How longhorned beetles find Mr. Right

Beetle species segregate mating activity by time of day and seasonal changes, allowing females to choose mate from specific species. This discovery provides a framework for understanding how insects produce separate signals with the same pheromone.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology·DateMay 27, 2015