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Science News for July 5, 2016


Study: How we explain things influences what we think is right

A new study found that when people focus on the inherent traits of something, they are more likely to assume that the patterns they see around them are good. However, when participants were exposed to information about external factors, they became more flexible in their thinking and less likely to think that the way things are is good.

Religion shown to steer adolescents away from pornography

A new study by University of Calgary researchers finds that adolescents who attend religious services are less likely to view pornography. The study, which surveyed over 3,000 teenagers and their parents, suggests that religious attendance acts as a social control factor that discourages porn usage among young people.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Adolescence·DateJul 5, 2016

Crude life

A new project aims to gather and communicate information on the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf of Mexico biodiversity. Researchers will survey biodiversity at 15 locations twice a year for two years, comparing data with pre-oil-spill records.

A short period of bed rest after intrauterine insemination makes no difference to pregnancy rates

A large randomized study found that a short period of bed rest after intrauterine insemination has no beneficial effect on pregnancy rates, contrary to previous small studies. The results suggest that immobilization after IUI may even hinder fertility in some cases, rendering recommendations for prolonged bed rest obsolete.

How water gets its exceptional properties

Researchers used a new artificial neural network method to simulate the atomic interactions of water molecules, explaining its melting temperature and density maximum. The study provides insights into the unusual properties of water, which cannot be understood solely on the basis of its chemical composition.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 5, 2016

Why do aged muscles heal slowly?

Researchers found that a protein called b1-integrin is crucial for muscle regeneration in aged muscles. The team's study provides a promising target for therapeutic intervention to combat muscle aging or disease. By restoring the function of b1-integrin, regenerative abilities were restored to youthful levels in mice with aged muscles.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 5, 2016

Energy-dense food consumption declines after Mexico's tax

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that Mexico's nonessential food tax led to a significant decline in energy-dense food purchases, primarily among low and medium SES households. The study showed a 5.1% decline in taxed food sales beyond pre-tax trends, with lower SES households experiencing an even greater reduction of 10.2%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 5, 2016

CONRAD launches Quatro in South Africa and Zimbabwe

The Quatro Study will inform ongoing product development efforts by gathering end-user input on four vaginal delivery systems for HIV and multipurpose prevention. The study, recruiting 200 healthy women ages 18-30 in South Africa and Zimbabwe, assesses user experiences of placebos with no active ingredients.

SourceCONRAD·DateJul 5, 2016

New brainstem model reveals how brains control breathing

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new brainstem model that shows how the brain controls breathing in response to changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. The study found that when exposed to decreased oxygen or increased carbon dioxide, the brain releases PGE2 to regulate breathing.

SourceeLife·DateJul 5, 2016

Most Ontario adults support government regulation over cannabis production and sale

A strong majority of Ontarians support government-controlled options for producing and selling cannabis, with nearly two-thirds backing sales in government-regulated outlets. The survey also found growing support for liberalizing recreational cannabis use, with over half supporting legalization.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalCanadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice/La Revue canadienne de criminologie et de justice pénale·DateJul 5, 2016

Theoretical climbing rope could brake falls

Researchers created a mathematical equation for an ideal dynamic climbing rope that would slow falling climbers like brakes on cars. The study suggests using shape memory materials, which can be deformed and return to their original shape, to achieve this effect.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part P Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology·DateJul 5, 2016

Clemson professor finds positive effects from bringing physical activity to the desk

A Clemson University psychology professor found that incorporating light physical activity into work or study improves mood, motivation, and morale, while maintaining cognitive performance. The study suggests that sedentary work may not be harmful in the short term, but long-term effects could lead to chronic disease and physical frailty.

SourceClemson University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 5, 2016

An upside of marketing food to children

A new study published in Pediatrics found that using colorful banners and nutrition education videos can increase the number of children taking vegetables in school cafeterias. Researchers observed a 239% increase in vegetable selection when both banners and videos were used, compared to a 90% increase when only banners were used.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 5, 2016

A new tool to study plant cell biomechanics

Researchers developed a method to study cellular response by capturing individual cells in microscopic gel beads, allowing for manipulation of the external environment and observation of regenerative ability. This tool promises to shed light on single cell biomechanics and unravel the nuances of micromechanics within plant cells.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateJul 5, 2016