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Science News Archive September 2015 - Page 2


Page 2 of 35

Stress causes infants to resort to habits

Infants under stress exhibit less flexible behavior when presented with new situations, unlike adults who also show reduced flexibility due to stress. This study suggests that repeated exposure to stress in infancy may hinder knowledge acquisition and have lasting effects on cognitive development.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2015

Finding links and missing genes

A team of scientists has created the most extensive catalogue of structural variations in human genomes, revealing over 200 missing genes and demonstrating that these changes are common risk factors for disease. The study's findings will help guide future research on genetics, evolution, and disease diagnosis.

Our environment shapes our language

Researchers found that environmental and social factors shape participants' use of SOV vs SVO syntax when communicating events, with iconicity playing a key role. The study also showed that adapting to interlocutors' lead and frequent event types influence syntactic patterns.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCognition·DateSep 30, 2015

A flooding river moves more than just water

Researchers have developed a model to predict the risk of waterborne diseases in flooding rivers, which can affect millions of people worldwide. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interactions between environmental and human factors in shaping disease dynamics.

Can reducing nicotine curtail smoking?

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that reducing nicotine content in cigarettes can significantly reduce cigarette use and dependence. Researchers discovered that participants who smoked low-nicotine cigarettes showed lower smoking levels and reduced exposure to nicotine.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 30, 2015

The Danish nitrogen budget in a nutshell

A national nitrogen budget for Denmark shows significant reductions in nitrogen emissions from agriculture, but other sectors like energy production and transport remain major contributors. New initiatives, such as organic farming expansion and electric vehicles, aim to further reduce nitrogen losses.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 30, 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