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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 29


Page 29 of 39

Social peers' death may impact CEO decisions

Researchers found CEOs of large US firms made fewer acquisitions following an independent director's death. The analysis suggests CEOs may reevaluate priorities and place less emphasis on external goals.

SourceWiley·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateApr 8, 2016

Physicists discover flaws in superconductor theory

Researchers discovered significant deviations from the Critical State Model, revealing unexpected behavior favorable for practical applications. The study suggests using 'trapped field magnets' in various new ways and applications, including replacing expensive low-temperature superconducting magnets with more affordable alternatives.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateApr 8, 2016

New research from Pear Bureau Northwest

A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial found that regular fresh pear consumption significantly lowered systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in middle-aged men and women with metabolic syndrome. The study, led by Dr. Sarah A. Johnson, suggests pears may be a potential tool to improve cardiovascular risk factors.

Many ICU patients trade critical illness for new illness, ICU-acquired weakness

A study found that some ICU patients experience persistent muscle wasting even after recovery from critical illness, leading to debilitating disability. The loss of satellite cells is a key factor in this process, contributing to age-related muscle loss and potentially permanent changes in muscle biology.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 8, 2016

How the index finger can be fooled

A new study by Bielefeld University's CITEC researchers reveals that the human brain can be fooled into perceiving a larger displacement of the index finger when it actually remains stationary, due to changes in contact area with the skin. This finding has implications for developing virtual sense of touch technologies.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 8, 2016

'Marijuana receptor' might hold the key to new fertility treatments for men

Researchers found that a cannabinoid receptor called CB2 helps regulate the creation of sperm, providing evidence for marijuana's impact on male fertility and suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for treating male infertility. The study suggests that a balance of CB2 activation is required for proper spermatogenesis.

A newly discovered way for cells to die

Scientists at Rockefeller University have identified a new way for cells to die in the linker cell of Caenorhabditis elegans, resembling neuronal death in humans. The discovery suggests that this process might be involved in neurodegenerative disorders and could serve as a target for future drugs.

Fruit flies live longer on lithium

A UCL-led study reveals that low doses of lithium prolong the lives of fruit flies by blocking GSK-3 and activating NRF-2, a molecule important for cell defense. The benefits were seen in both male and female flies, with average lifespan increases ranging from 13% to 18%.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 7, 2016

Combination therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors with an FAK inhibitor synergizes to decrease tumor growth in mouse models of BCR-ABL1+ B-progenitor ALL. This combination approach is a promising treatment strategy for this subset of ALL.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJCI Insight·DateApr 7, 2016

New report identifies 6 practices to improve health care for disadvantaged populations

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has identified six promising practices to improve healthcare for individuals with social risk factors. These practices include commitment to health equity, data and measurement, comprehensive needs assessment, collaborative partnerships, care continuity, and engaging patient...

Climate change may reduce vulnerable salmon populations

Rising temperatures in Northern Mongolia are causing salmon metabolism to increase exponentially, putting some species near their limits of tolerance for warm water. This could push these species out of one of their last refuges as the climate continues to warm.

SourceWiley·JournalEcology Of Freshwater Fish·DateApr 7, 2016

Do differences in anatomy matter for achieving orgasm?

Differences in anatomy may affect an individual's ability to achieve orgasm, particularly for females where physical characteristics play a significant role. Research suggests that variations in clitoral migration and penis entry angle can influence sexual experiences.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical Anatomy·DateApr 7, 2016

USC Roski Eye Institute researchers publish largest Chinese American eye study

The USC Roski Eye Institute's largest Chinese American eye study found a higher percentage (85 percent) of neovascular or 'wet' AMD among Chinese Americans compared to other ethnic groups. The study also revealed that participants with diabetes were three times more likely to experience significant visual impairment.

No more broken hearts

A team of Russian scientists has identified a gene responsible for the development of coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. The study found that mutations in the T-cadherin protein are associated with an increased risk of cardiac ischemia, highlighting a potential new target for preventing cardiovascular disease.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research·DateApr 7, 2016

Research finds that wisdom is a matter of both heart and mind

New research identifies conditions under which psychophysiology impacts wise judgment, finding greater capacity for wiser reasoning in individuals with more varied heart rates and a distanced viewpoint. This study extends previous work on cognitive underpinnings of wise judgment to include consideration of the heart's impact on the mind.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateApr 7, 2016

Open operations for gallbladder removal drop 90 percent at 1 institution over 30 years

A study found that the number of open cholecystectomies performed by general surgery residents has decreased significantly since laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced 30 years ago. This decline is raising concerns about whether surgeons will have enough technical experience to perform traditional open cholecystectomy procedures.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 7, 2016

Mobility and motivation: Job switching stokes competitive behavior

A study by LMU researchers found that employees who switch jobs to a competitor often intensify their competitive behavior against their former employer. However, this phenomenon may be linked to identity conflict rather than performance concerns. The study suggests that poaching individual talent from competitors can have mixed results.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateApr 7, 2016

When will a neutron star collapse to a black hole?

Physicists have found a simple formula for the maximum mass of neutron stars, which depends on their rotation rate. The research, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests that rotating neutron stars can support masses up to 20% higher than non-rotating ones.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 7, 2016

What really happened on Easter Island?

Recent research reveals that Easter Island's culture was affected by droughts and wet seasons, which influenced population dynamics and cultural exchange. Complete sedimentary samples show a continuous record of the last 3000 years, shedding light on the island's ecological and cultural development.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateApr 7, 2016