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Science News Archive August 2016 - Page 18


Page 18 of 38

Are urban black males shortchanged in classroom?

A new study by Michigan State University scholar Chezare Warren found that over-supporting urban black males in high school can have negative consequences for their academic success in college. The research suggests that balancing instructional and social supports is crucial to preparing students academically for college

SourceMichigan State University·JournalTeachers College Record The Voice of Scholarship in Education·DateAug 18, 2016

Homosexual termite regicide

In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that male Japanese termites form same-sex pairs when females are absent, allowing them to survive and potentially reproduce. This behavior is believed to be an adaptive strategy for future reproduction in the absence of females.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateAug 18, 2016

Babies' spatial reasoning predicts later math skills

A longitudinal study found that infants' spatial reasoning abilities measured as young as six months predict their math skills at four years of age. The researchers also discovered that individual differences in spatial aptitude are present earlier than previously thought, highlighting the potential for early intervention to improve ma...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 17, 2016

Flowering meadows benefit humankind

A study published in Nature found that diverse ecosystems populated by many species provide higher levels of ecosystem services, including food production, soil development, pest control, and climate regulation. The research highlights the importance of maintaining species-rich ecosystems for human well-being.

Burning desire comes down to beetles

A Griffith University study found that high-frequency fires can disrupt nutrient cycling and modify beetle populations in some forest ecosystems. The research aims to improve fire frequency management by understanding the effects on soil, plant, animal, and microbial communities.

Modeling mood swings

A study of over 28,000 people reveals that individuals consistently follow a hedonic flexibility principle, engaging in mood-increasing activities when feeling bad and useful activities when feeling good. This finding clarifies how emotions shape behavior and explains the trade-offs humans make for long-term happiness.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2016

Study links two genes to breast cancer survival

A new study of nearly 2,000 patients found that women with a specific pattern of gene activity were three times more likely to die from their breast cancers within 10 years. The research identified two genes, F12 and STC2, which may play a key role in releasing cancer cells from the glue that holds them in place.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateAug 17, 2016

Sex bias in human surgical clinical research

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that few studies included men and women equally, with wide variation in inclusion and matching of the sexes among specialties and journals. This sex bias can lead to different postoperative outcomes, complication rates, and readmission rates for males and females.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 17, 2016

Sayonara, kudzu bug?

US soybean crop is under threat from the kudzu bug, but research has found that some wild relatives of soybeans have developed resistance to the pest. These adapted plants have built defense mechanisms against pests, including limiting the ability of nymphs to survive.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateAug 17, 2016

A neuron's hardy bunch

Researchers found that even with the docking stations destroyed, neurons still emitted signals when demand was low and transmitted robust signals when triggers were present. The study suggests the presence of mechanisms maintaining partial communication in the nervous system.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNeuron·DateAug 17, 2016

Leukaemia blood testing has 'massive potential'

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a new test that can detect cancerous cells in the blood, offering a promising breakthrough in diagnosing and treating childhood leukemia. The test uses special structures called extracellular vesicles that are released by cancer cells and can be traced in the blood.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalBlood·DateAug 17, 2016