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Science News Archive January 2016 - Page 30


Page 30 of 31

The brain can be trained to regulate negative emotions -- Ben-Gurion University study

A computer-training task can alter brain wiring to regulate negative emotions by improving the ability to ignore irrelevant information. This non-emotional training was found to result in reduced brain reactions to emotional events and strengthened neural connections between brain regions involved in inhibiting emotional reactions.

Palliative care offers greater cost savings for cancer patients with multiple chronic conditions

A new study published in Health Affairs found that palliative care consultation within two days of hospitalization resulted in significant savings in hospital costs for cancer patients with multiple chronic conditions. Patients with higher numbers of comorbidities showed greater reductions in direct hospital costs.

A far from perfect host

Researchers at the University of York and Exeter have discovered a single-celled protozoa called Paramecium bursaria benefits from exploiting a green algae inside it. The study suggests that symbiosis may not be mutually beneficial, but rather exploitative in nature.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 4, 2016

New national perioperative guideline for geriatric surgical quality care released

A new collaborative best practices guideline has been released for optimal care of older adults before, during, and after surgical operations. The guideline provides expert recommendations for surgeons, anesthesiologists, and allied health care professionals to address postoperative complications and prolonged recovery in older patients.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 4, 2016

UT study: 'Born this way' beliefs may not be the key to reducing homophobia

A recent University of Tennessee study suggests that the belief people are born with their sexual orientation is not the key to improving attitudes toward lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals. Instead, it's what else they believe about sexual orientation that distinguishes them from those with negative or positive attitudes towards ga...

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalJournal of Counseling Psychology·DateJan 4, 2016

Virgin births may be common among snakes

Researchers reveal that facultative parthenogenesis is prevalent among snake species, with potentially significant implications for vertebrate evolution. The study proposes splitting this phenomenon into two forms and identifies snakes as ideal model species to investigate the evolution of vertebrate parthenogenesis.

SourceWiley·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateJan 4, 2016

Stellar revelations

A team of astronomers has discovered that up to 60 percent of stars host strong magnetic fields, which can significantly alter the physical processes taking place in the core. The researchers used asteroseismology to detect these hidden fields and found that they are prevalent in intermediate mass stars.

Solving the mystery of defective embryos

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that micronuclei structures can cause aneuploidy and lead to mosaic embryos. This discovery may provide early non-invasive detection of aneuploidy, improving the chances of success for infertile couples who rely on medically assisted reproduction methods.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

US emergency departments face serious drug shortages

A new study reveals a sharp increase in drug shortages affecting emergency care in the US, from 26 to 123, a 373% rise from 2008 to 2014. Life-threatening medications are particularly affected, leaving emergency department physicians without necessary treatments for critical patients.

SourceWiley·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJan 4, 2016

Self-esteem gender gap more pronounced in western nations

Research by American Psychological Association found that self-esteem tends to increase with age, but the gender gap is more significant in Western industrialized countries. The study analyzed data from over 985,000 men and women ages 16-45 from 48 countries, revealing that specific cultural influences shape self-esteem development in ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 4, 2016

New guide highlights the properties of diverse drug targets

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/2016 provides an overview of 1,700 human drug targets, focusing on those exploited in the clinic or with future therapeutic potential. The guide combines evidence-based data with summaries of molecular targets, allowing users to rapidly gain insight into their function and comparative pharmacology.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateJan 4, 2016

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards Stevens Institute and Penn Nursing grant for joint project

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded a grant to Stevens Institute and Penn Nursing to use policy flight simulators to determine the usability and effectiveness of the Transitional Care Model. The goal is to accelerate decisions to implement the TCM, which addresses negative effects associated with common breakdowns in care.