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Science News for October 1, 2015


Coincidence or conspiracy? Studies investigate conspiracist thinking

A study by researchers at the University of Fribourg and the University of Paris-Saint-Denis found no evidence for a link between conspiracist thinking and perceptions of randomness. Instead, participants who reported strong conspiracy theories tended to report other types of conspiracist beliefs, but not necessarily an intention or de...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 1, 2015

Researchers profile 4 types of non-vaccinators

A new review of the literature identifies four types of people who decide not to vaccinate due to issues of complacency, convenience, confidence, and calculation. Strategies include increasing awareness about vaccine effectiveness, debunking myths, and adding incentives for calculating individuals.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateOct 1, 2015

Access to palliative care in US hospitals still not universal

Despite rapid expansion of palliative care programs in US hospitals, access remains uneven, with smaller hospitals and for-profit institutions being less likely to offer services. Variables associated with a greater likelihood of providing palliative care include presence of a residency training program and links to a medical school.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateOct 1, 2015

Hotel 'greenwashing' dirties eco-friendly reputation

Researchers at Washington State University found that consumers are skeptical of hotels' green initiatives when they perceive self-serving motives, but still participate in eco-friendly practices. Hotels can establish credibility by becoming certified by independent agencies and communicating their green programs to customers.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management·DateOct 1, 2015

International team of researchers co-led by Penn aims to revolutionize understanding of how gene variants affect organ transplant outcomes

A large international team of researchers is investigating the genetic factors behind transplant successes and failures. The project, iGeneTRAiN, has generated genomics data for over 32,000 organ donors and recipients, aiming to discover genetic variants that lead to rejection and other complications.

Research links built characteristics of environment with health of persons with SCI

A study published in Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that living in areas with greater mixed land use was associated with poorer perceived health among New Jersey residents with spinal cord injury. This contrasts with general population studies, which suggest benefits from more populated areas with mixed land use.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateOct 1, 2015

Molecular switch keeps the circadian clock running on time

Researchers discovered a molecular switch that balances the activity of two key proteins in the circadian clock, PER2 and CK1. This finding provides insights into familial advanced sleep phase disorder (FASP) and may lead to new treatment strategies using drugs that inhibit these proteins.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

Mission impossible?

A study by UCSB and NASA reveals that humans are inherently bad at watching computers work, with distractions and daydreaming leading to failures in practical monitoring tasks. Pilots missed 25% of altitude crossings despite high levels of cockpit automation, highlighting the challenges of task monitoring.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateOct 1, 2015

Collaborative behaviors, traditional practices

A new report by IOP Publishing and Research Information Network (RIN) analyzes the changing information practices of physical scientists, with 70% collaborating with researchers outside their department in the last five years. Researchers prefer building personal collections of research articles, with 87% storing electronically.

New polymer creates safer fuels

Researchers at Caltech have developed a polymeric fuel additive that reduces the intensity of postimpact explosions in jet engines, without affecting fuel performance. The additive works by inhibiting droplet breakup under impact conditions, thereby reducing explosion size and turbulence.

Infrared thermography can detect joint inflammation and help improving work ergonomics

A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that infrared thermography can detect joint inflammation in ankle joints, but not knee joints. The technique also showed potential in evaluating office ergonomics and assessing musculoskeletal conditions, which could ease the workload in specialized healthcare and reduce costs.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPhysiological Measurement·DateOct 1, 2015

A natural history of neurons

Scientists have discovered that brain cells contain significant numbers of somatic mutations, which contribute to human development and disease. The study provides a new perspective on the role of these post-conception mutations in shaping brain cell lineages and potentially driving neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateOct 1, 2015

A balanced diet is good for corals too, study finds

A new study published in Limnology and Oceanography found that a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is beneficial to corals during stressful thermal events. The researchers discovered that excess nitrogen alone and zooplankton made high-temperature bleaching events worse, while a balanced mix of nutrients afforded coral resilience.

Languages less arbitrary than long assumed

A recent study by Mark Dingemanse and colleagues reveals that language is less arbitrary than previously thought. The researchers found that iconicity, where word forms suggest meaning, and systematicity, a statistical relationship between sounds and grammatical usage, complement arbitrariness in vocabulary structure.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateOct 1, 2015

Blueprints for limbs encoded in the snake genome

Researchers at the University of Georgia found that the same genetic tools responsible for limb development in animals also control the formation of external genitalia in snakes. The study suggests that snakes retained DNA associated with limb development through millions of generations, as it may have been important for their reproduc...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

Are the blueprints for limbs encoded in the snake genome?

Researchers have found that snakes share similar genetic patterns with mammals and birds in their limbs and genitalia, suggesting a common ancestry. The study's findings suggest that these genetic elements may play a crucial role in phallus development and genital shape variation among species.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

The ecology of microbial invasions

A review article in Trends in Microbiology reveals that microbial invasions follow a general ecological pattern, with invasion phases including introduction, establishment, spread, and impact. The study found that species diversity is the best defense against invading microbes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateOct 1, 2015

Extending a battery's lifetime with heat

Researchers from California Institute of Technology found that heat can shorten dendrites by up to 36% and possibly extend battery lifetimes. By analyzing the effect of temperature on individual lithium atoms, they discovered that increased temperatures trigger atomic motion, leading to the breakdown of dendrite structures.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 1, 2015

Keeping the body ticking

A team of scientists discovered a molecular switch that regulates the body's circadian clock, allowing it to keep time. The 'phosphoswitch' maintains clock speed despite temperature changes and metabolic signals.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

Deworming shows growth similar to placebo in pre-school children in Peru

A randomized controlled trial in Peru found that deworming treatment had no significant impact on growth in pre-school children, similar to a placebo. The study highlights methodological challenges and the need for further research to accurately detect the true effect of deworming on growth in early childhood.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 1, 2015

Brain networking

Researchers developed a way to convert brain scans into wiring diagrams, revealing fundamental rules governing cognitive control and the frontal cortex's role in controlling thoughts and actions. The study highlights the importance of location and connectivity between brain regions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 1, 2015

Link between height and cancer

A large-scale Swedish study has discovered a link between height and cancer risk in both men and women. The research found that taller individuals have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and melanoma, with the risk increasing by up to 30% per 10 cm of height.

Rising cancer rates in low and middle income countries threaten economic stability

Cancer cases worldwide are projected to reach almost 22 million by 2030, with low- and middle-income countries facing unsustainable economic burdens. Effective cancer prevention campaigns have shown promising results in Taiwan, Rwanda, and Brazil, highlighting the importance of rapid implementation of control programs.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 1, 2015

The media love men... bad news for women

A study published in the American Sociological Review found that media coverage is dominated by men, with 82% of names being men's. Despite significant social and economic advances, women continue to be underrepresented in media coverage.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 1, 2015

International OB-GYN group urges greater efforts to prevent toxic chemical exposure

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics calls for increased efforts to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals, linked to reproductive issues such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and cancer. The group advocates for policies to protect patients and communities from involuntary chemical exposure.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateOct 1, 2015

What types of video games improve brain function?

Action video games have been shown to improve attention skills and cognitive functions, while 'brain games' lack equivalent impact on perception and cognition. Video game play predicts poorer attention in the classroom, but benefits can be positive or negative depending on content.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateOct 1, 2015

Researchers make 5 recommendations for standardized test designers

Standardized test designers should use tests as tools to promote learning, provide feedback, and encourage self-assessment to enhance student outcomes. The researchers recommend adapting tests to students' ability levels and ensuring they encourage critical thinking and application of knowledge.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateOct 1, 2015

An accessible approach to making a mini-brain

The researchers created mini-brains using living tissue from a single rodent, which can form complex neural connections and produce electrical signals within two weeks. The approach is expected to reduce animal use in neuroscience research and make it more accessible to labs without advanced equipment.