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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 31


Page 31 of 38

Mormon + Mormon = Higher home price

A study by University of California, Riverside researcher Timothy Gubler found that home sellers who use a real estate agent from the same Mormon church congregation earn an average of $4,000 more than those without such an affiliation. This increase occurs without significantly impacting market time or sale probability.

Predictive policing substantially reduces crime in Los Angeles during months-long test

A UCLA-led team developed a mathematical model to predict crime hotspots, which was tested in Los Angeles and Kent, England. The model accurately predicted crime locations more often than human analysts, leading to a significant reduction in crime rates in Los Angeles, with potential annual savings of $9 million.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the American Statistical Association·DateOct 7, 2015

Treating aortic aneurysms through virtual reality

A new virtual reality approach has been developed to improve the treatment of aortic aneurysms by providing more accurate visualization of the area needing treatment. The approach uses 3D images and simulations to predict the risk of rupture and optimize treatment options, including open surgery and endovascular grafting.

48-million-year-old horse-like fetus discovered in Germany

A well-preserved 48-million-year-old horse-like fetus was discovered near Frankfurt, Germany, revealing significant details about the fossil record of a placental mammal. The study suggests that the reproductive system of early horses may have been highly developed during the Paleocene epoch.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 7, 2015

NASA measuring the pulsating aurora

Researchers used satellite and ground-based measurements to study pulsating auroras, finding that low-energy secondary electrons play a crucial role in their structure and shape. The discovery suggests that these electrons may be more important than previously thought in creating the glowing lights of auroras.

Review addresses value and waste in biomedical research

A recent review of the effects of a series of biomedical research reviews found that some initiatives have reduced waste and increased value, but more needs to be done. The reviewers questioned whether it's time to reconsider the current system for awarding research funding, which may not reflect changing biomedical research needs.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 7, 2015

A village of bacteria to help frogs fight disease

Researchers at Virginia Tech found that naturally occurring bacteria on a frog's skin can respond to infection and adjust their structure and function to compensate for it. The study suggests that the whole community of bacteria is important, not just a single protective bacterium. This discovery offers hope in limiting the impact of c...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 7, 2015

Medical diagnosis: Will brain palpation soon be possible?

Inserm researchers have developed a noninvasive brain imaging method using MRI that provides the same information as physical palpation, allowing for early diagnosis of brain tumors or Alzheimer's disease. The technique uses noise correlation to detect natural shear waves in the brain, enabling building images of the brain's elasticity.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2015

Experts recommend assessing individual benefits, risks of menopausal therapies

The Endocrine Society published a Clinical Practice Guideline on treating menopausal symptoms, recommending that women assess their individual benefits and risks of hormone therapy. The guideline suggests using various therapies, including hormonal and non-hormonal options, to manage symptoms such as hot flashes and genitourinary issues.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 7, 2015

Treatment for heparin-induced blood disorder revealed in structure of antibody complex

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has elucidated the structure of a protein complex at its root, which may hold therapeutic potential for treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The study found that an antibody called RTO disrupts this complex, preventing platelet activation and clot ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2015

Double the (quantum) fun

A team of researchers has developed a detailed analysis of the electrical characteristics of double-quantum-dot transistors, which could help design better devices for manipulating single electrons. The device's stability and geometry were found to be crucial in determining its electrical parameters.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 6, 2015

New species discovered: Hog-nose rat

Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of shrew rat on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, featuring an extremely large nose, long hind legs, and unusual dental characteristics. The Hog-nosed rat is genetically distinct from other rodents and has a weak jaw musculature, indicating a diet that does not require vigorous chewing.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateOct 6, 2015

Now anyone can run a climate model

Researchers at University of New South Wales have developed a simple online climate model that allows anyone to explore Earth's atmosphere and environment. The model enables users to compare how the world would change with different climate scenarios, making complex concepts clearer for students and the general public.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalClimate Dynamics·DateOct 6, 2015

Study: Burnout impacts transplant nurses

A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital found that over half of transplant nurses in the US suffer from emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment. The researchers suggest that organizations must create environments that nurture both patients and caregivers to prevent burnout.

SourceHenry Ford Health·JournalProgress in Transplantation·DateOct 6, 2015

Rebates a cost-effective way to boost healthy eating among low-income people, study finds

A new study suggests that providing low-income households with financial incentives to buy fruits and vegetables can encourage them to purchase and consume more healthy food. According to the study, these incentives, in the form of rebates, are unlikely to prompt consumers to increase their spending on junk food.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateOct 6, 2015