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Science News for May 6, 2015


Parents often misperceive their obese children as 'about the right weight'

A new study found that nearly all parents of overweight boys and approximately 88% of parents of overweight girls perceive their children as 'about the right weight'. The researchers also found that African-American families are more likely to misperceive their child's weight, while family income increases lead to correct perceptions.

Supercycles in subduction zones

Research at ETH Zurich reveals that wider seismogenic zones increase the probability of a supercycle occurring, characterized by several large earthquakes and eventually a giant earthquake. The study proposes a new explanation for the gradual rupture phenomenon, suggesting that physical stresses build up rapidly at the edges of the zone.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 6, 2015

Scientists X-ray chocolate

Researchers at Hamburg University of Technology, DESY, and Nestle found that reducing porosity, storing products at ideal temperatures, and controlling crystallization can help minimize fat bloom. This study provides new insights into the formation of fat bloom, an issue affecting millions in the food industry.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 6, 2015

Insight into the Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly mechanism

Researchers solved the structure of Ebola virus nucleoprotein core domain to 1.8 Å resolution, revealing RNA binding groove similarities with other viral NPs. The findings provide valuable insights into EBOV genome assembly and transcription mechanism, as well as potential antiviral therapies targeting RNP formation.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateMay 6, 2015

A better way to build DNA scaffolds

The McGill team has devised a method to create longer DNA strands, including custom-designed sequence patterns, using an enzyme called ligase and polymerase. This approach produces large amounts of these longer strands in just a few hours, making the process potentially more economical and commercially viable than existing techniques.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2015

Customers will pay more today if there's payback later, shows equal billing study

A study of equal billing plans found that customers prefer to pay a little more each month to ensure a refund at the end of the term. This irrational attitude leads to increased customer loyalty and satisfaction. Companies can benefit from this by setting up their equal billing plans to issue refunds at the end of the term.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateMay 6, 2015

Age matters in health messages

A study by Dr Mark Moss and colleagues found that age has the biggest influence on motivators and barriers to exercise among older people. The researchers suggest that new health messages should tailor their information to account for differences between 'young' and 'older' older adults.

Not so cold-blooded creatures

Endothermic fish, including sharks and tunas, can swim two and a half times faster and twice as far as cold-blooded species. This unique physiological characteristic allows them to maximize their swimming distance and speed, providing benefits for hunting and reproduction.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2015

Perception of US care for the dying worsens

A new study reveals that the perception of quality care for the dying in the US has worsened over the last decade, with loved ones reporting a decrease in satisfaction. Despite efforts to improve end-of-life care, significant gaps remain between patient and provider preferences.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateMay 6, 2015

Children's sleep and mental health are related

A comprehensive survey of nearly 1,000 toddlers reveals that serious sleep disorders can have long-term consequences for mental health. Four-year-olds with sleep disorders are at higher risk of developing psychiatric symptoms as six-year-olds, while those with psychiatric symptoms are more likely to develop a sleep disorder.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateMay 6, 2015

Researchers reverse bacterial resistance to antibiotics

A team of researchers from UC Merced and American University has discovered a way to restore the efficacy of antibiotics and help doctors deal with resistant bacteria in a clinical setting. The study found that combining lab work with mathematics and computer technology can reverse bacterial resistance and provide optimal treatment opt...

SourceAmerican University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 6, 2015

What the penis worm's teeth looked like

Researchers used microscopes to study the structure of Penis Worm teeth, discovering a 'dentist's handbook' for paleontologists. The findings uncovered previously unrecognized species worldwide, shedding light on ancient creatures.

SourceWiley·JournalPalaeontology·DateMay 6, 2015