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Science News Archive August 2016 - Page 13


Page 13 of 38

Music at work increases cooperation, teamwork

A pair of lab experiments by Cornell University researchers found that happy music increases cooperative behavior among team members. Contributions to the group's value were approximately one-third higher when upbeat songs were played compared to less pleasant music.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateAug 23, 2016

'Putting prevention in their pockets'

A recent study found that a UB-developed smartphone app can improve antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV. Participants reported high compliance with daily report completion, citing the app's ease of use and text reminders as key factors.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAIDS Research and Treatment·DateAug 23, 2016

Whales in the desert

Researchers have found fossilized whale skeletons in the Ica Desert of Peru, providing insights into the Miocene whale feeding habits. The discovery also reveals exceptional microstructure preservation, allowing for the study of fossilized baleen bristles at a submillimetric scale.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateAug 23, 2016

Darwin's theory about 'impassable' marine barrier holds true for coral larvae in the Pacific

A team of scientists used a state-of-the-art computer model to test Charles Darwin's hypothesis that marine species cannot cross the Eastern Pacific's 'impassable' marine barrier. The study found that even under extreme El Niño conditions, coral larvae could not survive long enough to make the trip across the ocean.

Warbler genomes look to be 99.97 percent alike

New research reveals that blue-winged and golden-winged warblers are almost identical genetically, with only six regions showing strong differences. The study suggests that conservation efforts should focus on preserving habitat for both species rather than worrying about hybridization.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 23, 2016

Traumatic brain injury associated with long-term psychosocial outcomes

A longitudinal study found that children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience reduced longevity and significant psychosocial problems in adulthood. The study compared TBI cases to unaffected siblings, revealing strong associations between TBI severity, recurrence, and older age at first injury.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 23, 2016

New care plan improves outcomes for Crohn's disease complication

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine developed a new care plan for managing septic perianal Crohn's disease, which combines medical and surgical treatments. The plan resulted in a 60% healing rate among patients, with half requiring permanent ostomy bags while the other half saw some improvement but did not heal completely.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateAug 23, 2016

Relief for epilepsy at the scale of a single cell

Researchers have developed a small device that can detect the initial signal of an epileptic attack and release a substance to stop it, all in the same area as the signal arises. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurological illnesses such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2016

Severe obesity revealed as a stand-alone high-risk factor for heart failure

A Johns Hopkins study of over 13,000 participants found that severe obesity is a standalone high-risk factor for heart failure, but not other types of heart disease. Morbidly obese individuals were nearly fourfold more likely to develop heart failure even after controlling for risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 22, 2016

Study suggests ways to improved immunity in older people

A new study from the University of Oxford suggests that preserving immune function in older people is possible through the identification of critical factors like transcription factor Foxn1. By understanding how Foxn1 regulates T cell development, researchers have identified potential strategies for maintaining thymus function with age.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Immunology·DateAug 22, 2016

Map helps maximize carbon-capture material

Researchers at Rice University have developed a recipe to make carbon capture materials the best they can be. Experiments showed that once a sorbent material achieved a surface area of 2,800 square meters per gram, neither more surface area nor larger pores made it more efficient at capturing carbon dioxide.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateAug 22, 2016