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Science News for November 5, 2015


Adults' happiness on the decline

Researchers found that adults over age 30 are not happier than they used to be, but teens and young adults are experiencing higher levels of happiness. The study, led by San Diego State University professor Jean M. Twenge, analyzed data from four nationally representative samples of Americans ages 13 to 96.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 5, 2015

Guides within electronic medical records during visits help doctors provide better care

Researchers found that embedded clinical practice guidelines in patient electronic medical records during outpatient visits improved the use of severity measurement tools, referrals to rehabilitation programs, inhaler education, and vaccinations among stable COPD patients. The intervention also led to better quality of care measures.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalRespiratory Medicine·DateNov 5, 2015

Teaching the blind to draw -- and do STEM

E.A.S.Y. LLC has received a $1 million NIH grant to develop an interactive graphics printer that translates conventional graphics to raised-line versions for the blind, enabling them to take math and science courses like sighted students. The printer will be used in schools nationwide to create accessible worksheets.

Better sleep and tai chi reduce inflammation and promote health

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that treatment for insomnia with cognitive behavioral therapy or tai chi reduces inflammation levels in older adults. These behavioral interventions also represent a third pillar, along with diet and physical activity, to promote health and reduce age-related morbidities.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateNov 5, 2015

Towards elimination of HIV reservoirs

Researchers develop 'kick and kill' strategy using Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting molecules to target HIV-infected cells and killer T cells. The study shows that the molecules can induce killing of infected cells and reduce detectable HIV expression in blood cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 5, 2015

Three urgent steps for better protected areas

A new study suggests that protected areas are failing to meet biodiversity goals due to inadequate science and management. The Wildlife Conservation Society proposes a three-point plan to improve the effectiveness of protected areas, including establishing ecologically sensible targets and identifying performance metrics.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalConservation Biology·DateNov 5, 2015

UMD discovery could enable portable particle accelerators

Physicists at the University of Maryland have accelerated electron beams to nearly the speed of light using millijoules of laser pulse energy, a significant improvement over previous methods. This breakthrough could lead to ultra-compact machines useful for materials science and medical imaging, overcoming barriers in cost, complexity,...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2015

Researchers show how positive stimuli provide benefits to the distracted brain

Researchers at the Beckman Institute found that positive stimuli, such as cute puppies, increase brain activity in areas involved in emotion control and working memory. Positive distractions do not interfere with task completion, unlike negative distractions like barking dogs, which decrease activity in these regions.

The astounding genome of the dinoflagellate

Researchers sequenced the complete genome of dinoflagellate S. kawagutii, revealing surprising findings about its genetic makeup and adaptability. The study suggests that this species has evolved to cope with stress imposed by climate change and pollution, potentially holding key to understanding other dinoflagellates.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2015

This week in BMJ Case Reports

This week in BMJ Case Reports highlights the risks of accidental overdosing on herbal medicines, severe iron deficiency associated with heavy head lice infestation, and a rare complication involving a hair pin pierced through a child's kidney.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·DateNov 5, 2015

In preventing return of winter blues, talk outshines light, new study says

A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is more effective than light therapy in preventing relapse of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). CBT was found to be significantly better at preventing depression recurrence, with only 27% of subjects experiencing symptoms compa...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateNov 5, 2015

Does religion make kids less generous?

A recent study published in Current Biology suggests that growing up in a non-religious household may increase altruism in children. The research found that children from non-religious families were significantly more likely to share with others, contrary to the commonly held notion that religion promotes generosity.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2015

Investigational treatment may restore kidney function in renovascular disease patients

A new treatment using vascular endothelial growth factor fused to a bioengineered carrier promotes the recovery of kidney function in pigs with chronic renovascular disease. The study shows that this treatment can improve kidney function, potentially leading to substantial implications for the management of renovascular disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 5, 2015

Martian desiccation

NASA's MAVEN mission has determined that Mars is losing gas to space via stripping by the solar wind, a process that may have contributed to the planet's dry climate. The research suggests that powerful solar storms can accelerate this process, potentially playing a significant role in changing Mars' climate over billions of years.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 5, 2015

Is junk food to blame?

A Cornell University study suggests that diet and physical activity are key factors in managing weight, rather than eliminating specific foods like junk food. The research found that intake of soda, candy, and fast food is not linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) for most adults, except those at the extreme ends of the BMI spectrum.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalObesity Science & Practice·DateNov 5, 2015

A new slant on semiconductor characterization

Researchers have developed a new mathematical method to characterize non-uniform semiconductors with improved efficiency and precision. The method measures electrical conductivity in a single piece of material using a magnetic field, revealing variations across the entire sample.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2015

MSU study finds surprises about drug use

A new MSU study analyzed historical data from India to find reliable economic information on drug use. It shows that users switch between opium and cannabis when the price of one goes up, a phenomenon called substitution. This finding has significant policy implications for tackling addiction.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateNov 5, 2015

NbSe2, a true 2-D superconductor

Researchers have isolated single-layer NbSe2 as a genuine 2D electronic phenomenon exhibiting spatial modulation of electron density and atomic lattice. The material remains a superconductor with critical temperature TC = 1.9 K despite dimensional reduction.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 5, 2015

Sunday GP appointments unlikely to meet patient needs

A new study from the University of East Anglia reveals that four out of five patients are happy with traditional GP opening times and that weekend appointments are wanted most by younger, working people. Meanwhile, only 2% would attend an appointment on a Sunday, suggesting that Saturday opening would meet most people's needs.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateNov 5, 2015

Global climate change

Researchers found that anthropogenic warming in the west Pacific likely contributed to the 2014 drought in East Africa. The study used a data set to show that the region is drier than ever, with eight droughts occurring over the past 15 years.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateNov 5, 2015

TCGA findings provide molecular background for second most common kidney cancer

Scientists have molecularly characterized two types of the second most common kidney cancer, papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), which accounts for 15-20% of kidney cancer cases. The study reveals distinct molecular differences between Type 1 and 2 PRCC, as well as three subtypes of Type 2, each with varying molecular alterations. T...

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 5, 2015

Why some genes are highly expressed

Scientists classify all gene promoters into two distinct types differing in nucleosome stability, with one type found at highly expressed growth-related genes and the other at less frequently expressed genes. The study reveals the role of dynamic nucleosomes in increasing access to promoter DNA for transcription initiation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 5, 2015

Business as plan B

UCSB sociologist Sarah Thébaud's research reveals that family leave policies significantly influence women's entrepreneurial decisions and business outcomes. In countries with generous work-family policies, women are more likely to remain in traditional employment or switch careers, rather than relying on self-employment as a fallback....

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly·DateNov 5, 2015