Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 29, 2015


Reading the weather from inside a seashell

A study analyzing fossil brachiopod shells from West Virginia and Ohio found minimal seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall during the latest Pennsylvanian (~300 million years ago). The findings may help resolve a paleoclimate debate about monsoonality and sea level, providing insights into ancient mega-continent climates.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateSep 29, 2015

Primary healthcare providers urged to screen teens for depression and suicide risk

A new study by UT Arlington researchers recommends that primary care providers screen teenagers for depression and suicide risk during well visits. The paper highlights the importance of screening tools, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A), to detect mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalThe Nurse Practitioner·DateSep 29, 2015

How do atoms alter during a supernova explosion?

Researchers from Osaka University successfully created highly unusual plasma composed of hollow atoms using ultra-bright X-ray sources. This discovery sheds light on extreme state atoms and may lead to industrial applications such as non-destructive x-ray testing and new material construction.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 29, 2015

Plant pest reprograms the roots

Researchers discover nematodes produce plant hormone cytokinin to stimulate root cell growth and create a nurse cell system, essential for the parasite's survival. This discovery opens new avenues in plant breeding to develop resistance against cyst nematode pests.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2015

In Russia, are loggers an owl's best friend?

A recent study in Primorye, Russia, suggests that logging companies can be essential for endangered Blakiston's fish owls. In fact, lands leased to logging companies account for 43% of suitable habitat, while protected areas only cover 19%. This collaboration enables the protection of nearly half of all potential fish owl home ranges.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalBird Conservation International·DateSep 29, 2015

Cheaters sometimes prosper -- on Facebook

Concordia researchers investigate how social media gamers cheat in games like FarmVille, with some defining cheating as breaking social norms. The study found that most respondents admitted to cheating, including purchasing currency or creating multiple accounts.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNew Media & Society·DateSep 29, 2015

Competing mice reveal genetic defects

A new study using competing mice reveals genetic mutations can impair reproduction and territory control, contrary to previous assumptions of redundant gene functions. The mouse barn test provides a sensitive tool for assessing fitness consequences of gene changes in natural environments.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGenetics·DateSep 29, 2015

Brain activity map reveals how infant vision develops

A new study provides the first direct window into the maturation of vision-related areas in the infant brain, showing that major motion processing areas are operational by 7 weeks. The study found similarities between infants and adults in terms of brain activity patterns, but also notable differences, particularly in the development o...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 29, 2015

Many nonprofit academic leaders and professors serve on for-profit health-care company boards, Pitt analysis reveals

A Pitt analysis reveals that nearly 1 in 10 U.S. for-profit health care company board positions are held by individuals with an academic affiliation. These board members receive significant compensation and often hold substantial company stock, potentially leading to conflicts of interest with their academic duties.

Frequently discounting maximizes retailer revenues

A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that frequent discounting is the most optimal strategy for retailers to maximize revenues. This approach balances the trade-off between dynamic and static pricing, allowing retailers to charge high prices when demand is high while maintaining flexibility. By doing so, retailers can...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateSep 29, 2015

Intratumor morphological heterogeneity of cancer is not related to chromosome aberrations

Researchers found no correlation between breast cancer's different structures and chromosomal abnormalities, challenging the idea that genetic mutations drive tumor heterogeneity. Instead, they discovered specific genes contributing to each structure's formation, suggesting alternative mechanisms driving morphological diversity.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalJournal of Clinical Pathology·DateSep 29, 2015

New research about shopping addiction

A new study by Doctor Cecilie Schou Andreassen reveals that shopping addiction is more prevalent among women, typically beginning in late adolescence. The Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale identifies seven warning signs, including an excessive preoccupation with shopping and impaired well-being.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 29, 2015

Rice news release: Smaller is better for nanotube analysis

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for analyzing carbon nanotubes in solution using variance spectroscopy. This technique allows for the rapid analysis of small regions in dilute nanotube solutions, providing insights into the types, numbers, and properties of nanoparticles in the solution. By zooming in on thes...

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 29, 2015

Eight big questions in cancer research

The article explores eight big questions in cancer research, including the role of genetic mutations, tumor microenvironments, and epigenetics. Researchers discuss the importance of targeted treatments, prevention, and screening, as well as the potential for precision medicine to improve cancer outcomes.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cancer·DateSep 29, 2015

Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia

A Mayo Clinic study found that nearly three-quarters of patients with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia were women. The median duration from symptom onset to last follow-up was 25 months, with 51 patients experiencing physician-reported neurologic improvement with immunotherapy and cancer therapy.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateSep 29, 2015

Risk factors for prostate cancer

New research analyzed data from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify prostate cancer risk factors. The study found that age, race, and family history are significant risk factors for prostate cancer, while obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking show a protective effect.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics·DateSep 29, 2015

Wrangling proteins gone wild

Researchers at McGill University have developed a suite of computer programs to speed up the process of drug discovery for diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's. The Fibrilizer program analyzes billions of possible genetic mutations to find weak spots in toxic protein strands, potentially leading to new treatments.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBioinformatics·DateSep 29, 2015

People with genetic variant increasing vitamin D metabolism improve blood sugar control with high protein weight loss diet

Research shows that people carrying specific genetic variants of vitamin D metabolism can benefit from a high-protein weight loss diet, leading to improved insulin resistance and blood sugar control. The study found significant interactions between the DHCR7 variant and dietary protein, but not with other genetic variants or dietary fat.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateSep 29, 2015

Hopes of improved brain implants

Researchers at Lund University have developed a new type of brain implant that uses nanowires to stimulate or capture signals from different areas of the brain. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for Parkinson's disease, depression, autism, and paralysis.

SourceLund University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 29, 2015

Resilient personality of cities could help in a recession

A recent study found that cities fared better during the 2008-09 recession in regions with stronger emotional stability and entrepreneurial personality profiles. Cities like San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif., and Jackson, Tenn., exhibited higher scores for entrepreneurial personality and emotional stability, while others struggled.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateSep 29, 2015