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Science News for March 10, 2016


Climate change less politicized among minority groups

A recent study by Cornell University researchers reveals that climate change attitudes are less politicized among minority groups compared to white respondents. Non-whites were found to care as much about the environment as whites, yet are underrepresented in addressing the issue due to social barriers and socioeconomic realities.

SourceCornell University·JournalClimatic Change·DateMar 10, 2016

Negative cancer trials: Short-term whimper, long-term bang

A new study by SWOG found that negative cancer trials have a significant impact on cancer research, despite initial skepticism. The study analyzed 94 randomized Phase III cancer trials and found that the scientific impact of negative trials was similar to that of positive trials over time.

SourceSWOG·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateMar 10, 2016

Skin has the nerve to tell you to scratch

Researchers at Duke University have identified a potential drug target in the skin for treating short-term itch. By targeting a specific ion channel protein called TRPV4, scientists hope to develop topical treatments that can suppress itch and inflammation.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 10, 2016

57 different pesticides found in poisoned honeybees

A new study reveals that European honeybees are being poisoned with up to 57 different pesticides, posing a threat to bee populations worldwide. The researchers developed a method for analyzing 200 pesticides simultaneously, providing critical information on the toxic mix and its impact on honeybee health.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateMar 10, 2016

Competition favors the shy bird

In high-density populations, slow-exploring great tits have a higher chance of survival compared to fast-exploring individuals. However, the birds are unable to adapt their exploratory behavior to changing density, which may explain why selection favors a mix of personality types.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 10, 2016

BMJ best practice now with CME/CPD tracking tool

BMJ Best Practice features a continuing medical education (CME/CPD) tracking tool, allowing doctors to earn credits while using the platform as part of their working day. The new tool collates time spent learning and enables users to reflect on their impact on practice, supporting appraisal and revalidation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 10, 2016

Super-clear synapses at super resolutions

A new process for making brain tissue transparent has been developed at RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, allowing for the creation of super-resolution 3-D images of delicate structures deep in the brain. This breakthrough enables researchers to visualize synaptic changes and neural structures with unprecedented detail.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 10, 2016

Blame your noisy brain for misses and fumbles

A new study by neuroscientists at Duke University found that even practiced movements are imperfect due to brain noise, which can affect our responding movements. The research team discovered a correlation between the activity of individual neurons and the size of eye movement delays.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateMar 10, 2016

Links between money and happiness uncovered

A new study of over 18,000 adults found that most people's happiness is not affected by changes in income, but those who experience an income loss are more likely to feel unhappy. The research suggests that financial stability, rather than continual income growth, is key to achieving happiness and well-being.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMar 10, 2016

Conservation sea change

A UCSB biologist and colleagues used satellite data on fishing to help protect ocean biodiversity. They analyzed billions of vessel data points to assess the effectiveness of new marine parks in stopping illegal fishing. The researchers also created a global map of human use of high seas, paving the way for more effective management of...

Open science in action!

The proposed platform, amanuens.is, integrates ContentMine and Hypothes.is prototypes to mine critical facts from scientific documents and make them publicly available. By combining machines and humans, it aims to reduce costs, increase transparency, and facilitate collaboration in biomedical research.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalResearch Ideas and Outcomes·DateMar 10, 2016

The 'great smoky dragon' of quantum physics

Recent study confirms wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics by recreating John Archibald Wheeler's 'great smoky dragon' thought experiment. The research demonstrates that the nature of light is not fixed until observed, with implications for quantum cryptography and computing.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateMar 10, 2016

Using statistics to predict rogue waves

Researchers have created a statistical model to forecast extreme waves, which are large and spontaneous ocean waves that can be deadly. The model uses joint statistics of multiple points in time or space to capture wave heights and turbulent air flows, greatly reducing complexity and obeying the Fokker-Planck equation.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 10, 2016

IBS team detects hot electrons in real time

The IBS team developed a graphene-semiconductor catalytic nanodiode that enables the detection of hot electrons on platinum nanoparticles in real time. This breakthrough allows researchers to study the electronic effect on catalytic activity and potentially design improved catalytic materials with lower costs.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 10, 2016

Rice scientists synthesize anti-cancer agent

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for synthesizing the potent anti-cancer agent trioxacarcin, which damages DNA and disrupts cancer cell replication. This breakthrough allows for more efficient production of these valuable molecules, enabling their study as potential new medications.

Adapting training to age

A study by the University of the Basque Country found that larger pitches and more players per team increase physical and physiological demands on young footballers. The research suggests adapting competition models to match the physiological development of participants, particularly for the U12 age group.

Turn off the Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University discovered the key trigger of Alzheimer's disease development, involving zinc ions and peptide aggregation. They propose a mechanism for transforming healthy peptides into toxic ones, paving the way for new medicine to block beta-amyloid peptide aggregation.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 10, 2016

Give and take

A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers finds that excess nutrient input leads to imbalances in mutualistic species interactions. This can have far-reaching implications for ecosystems, including decreased growth of fungal partners and increased growth of plant partners.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 10, 2016

ADHD or just immature?

A new study suggests that a child's age at school entry may affect ADHD diagnosis. Children born in August were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and/or receive medication compared to those born in September. This finding implies that as children get older, the impact of birth month on ADHD diagnoses decreases.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMar 10, 2016

Efficiency of water electrolysis doubled

Researchers have successfully increased water electrolysis efficiency by applying a copper layer to platinum electrodes. This innovation boosts the reaction's activity and extends electrode lifespan. The breakthrough could lead to large-scale implementation of climate-friendly energy conversion using surplus electricity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2016

Major differences between male and female breast cancers uncovered but male patients still disadvantaged by lack of research, say investigators

A new study has revealed significant biological differences between male and female breast cancers, shedding light on why male patients often receive delayed diagnoses. Researchers hope this knowledge will enable better treatment choices for Male BC patients, including the use of chemotherapy and targeted agents.

News coverage of Fukushima disaster found lacking

A new analysis by American University sociology professor Celine-Marie Pascale finds that US news media coverage following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster minimized health risks to the general population. Only 6% of coverage focused on health risks, framing them as low or uncertain.

SourceAmerican University·JournalCurrent Sociology·DateMar 10, 2016

Brown fat may warm us up at dawn

Researchers discovered that human brown fat cells show circadian fluctuations in glucose consumption, which may act as a glucose buffer and lessen the stress on the pancreas. Individuals with high brown fat abundance showed less variability in glucose levels over time.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 10, 2016