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Science News for November 21, 2016


Sexism may be harmful to men's mental health

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that men who conform strongly to traditionally masculine norms are more likely to have poorer mental health outcomes. Furthermore, these individuals are also less likely to seek psychological help, highlighting the potential harm of sexist attitudes on men's menta...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Counseling Psychology·DateNov 21, 2016

'Nice' women earn less than their more assertive counterparts

A new Tel Aviv University study reveals that agreeable women, regardless of dominance, face financial retribution for being perceived as 'too nice.' Dominant women are also underpaid compared to their male colleagues. The researchers analyzed data from 375 men and women at a Dutch multinational electronics company.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalEuropean Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology·DateNov 21, 2016

Scripps scientists create innovative drug design strategy to improve breast cancer treatment

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new structure-based drug design strategy to target the estrogen receptor, reducing resistance and side effects in hormone-driven breast cancer treatments. The approach uses x-ray crystallography to visualize how drugs interact with the receptor, allowing for the creation of bio...

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 21, 2016

As life expectancy grows, men still lagging

A new study of mortality patterns in humans, monkeys, and apes reveals that men have yet to catch up with women in terms of life expectancy. Despite advances in medicine and public health, the gender gap remains unchanged, with females outliving males across all primate species.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2016

African-American, white and Latino children have different food allergen profiles

Research reveals that African American and Latino children have significantly higher rates of corn, shellfish, and fish allergies compared to white children. The study found that wheat allergy is also more common among African American children, potentially contributing to higher rates of anaphylaxis and emergency room visits.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 21, 2016

A good combination: Model and experiment for a deeper look

Researchers at TUM develop a new method for non-destructive testing using ultrasound that combines a computerized model and experiment to provide precise information on the inner world of objects. This method uses waveform inversion to utilize the entire information content of the wave field measured, providing improved results.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalComputers & Mathematics with Applications·DateNov 21, 2016

'Minimal' shoes may reduce running injuries

Researchers found that runners wearing minimal trainers and landing on the ball of their foot had lower loading rates, reducing injury risk. This study suggests that minimal shoes can be beneficial for runners who adopt a forefoot strike pattern without cushioning.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateNov 21, 2016

Watching how plants make oxygen

An international team of researchers visualized the process by which plants split water to produce oxygen using X-ray free-electron laser technology. This breakthrough enables the study of oxygen molecule formation and paves the way for the development of efficient clean hydrogen fuel devices.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2016

Effect of collaborative care with occupational therapy indeterminate for slowing functional decline from dementia

A randomized clinical trial found that long-term collaborative care and occupational therapy did not slow functional decline in persons with Alzheimer disease. The study suggests that new assistive devices, home modifications, and technologies are needed to support patients and families at home.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 21, 2016

Living fossil genome unveiled

The ginkgo genome reveals extensive expansion of gene families for defensive mechanisms against pathogens and insects, as well as unique traits such as transposable elements. The sequence provides a genetic resource for studying early events in tree evolution and the history of demography and distribution.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateNov 21, 2016

NIAID-supported scientists sequence, explore the genome of the river blindness parasite

Researchers have sequenced the genome of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite responsible for river blindness, identifying proteins that could be targeted with existing drugs or developed into new treatments. The study also reveals promising areas for developing a preventive vaccine against the disease.

For chimps, mothers matter

Researchers found that chimpanzees copy their mothers' grooming styles, including high-arm grooming, which is not closely associated with group identity or social relationships. The study suggests a strong maternal influence on chimp behavior, with young chimps learning the behavior from their mothers and continuing it into adulthood.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 21, 2016

Individual lifespans are becoming more similar

Researchers found a mathematical relationship between life expectancy and the convergence of ages at death, observed in various countries, historical periods, and populations. This rule suggests that fewer people are dying prematurely and living beyond average age of death as life expectancy rises.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2016

Natural regeneration may help protect tropical forests

A new study of 16 research papers reveals natural regeneration can boost biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in tropical regions. The method, which is cheaper than traditional reforestation, has social benefits for human livelihoods but requires careful consideration of ecological factors.

SourceWiley·JournalBiotropica·DateNov 21, 2016

Sunlight and oil spills may make deadly combination for wildlife

New research reveals that co-exposure to oil and UV radiation from sunlight significantly reduces survival rates of fish larvae in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are toxic when combined with sunlight, posing a deadly threat to marine life.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateNov 21, 2016

Scientists reconstruct formation of the southern Appalachians

A team of geophysicists has reconstructed the terminal phase of the collision between North America and Gondwana, revealing a 300km-long shear zone that stretches from Alabama to Florida. This discovery provides new insights into the formation of the southern Appalachians and has implications for understanding mountain-building processes.

SourceBrown University·JournalGeology·DateNov 21, 2016

The cost of feeling like a fraud

A new study found that individuals who feel like impostors in their jobs are less likely to fulfill their full potential, undervaluing their talent and affecting their careers. However, this phenomenon can also encourage people to offer their best performance, highlighting the complex relationship between self-doubt and success.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 21, 2016

US record high temps could outpace record lows 15 to 1 before

New research indicates that the US will see a ratio of 15:1 record highs to lows by 2065 due to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that temperatures are expected to rise by around 3 degrees C over the continental US, leading to more frequent record-breaking heatwaves.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2016

Flashy language doesn't fly with Supreme Court

A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that Supreme Court justices are less likely to side with briefs using flashy adjectives and emotionally charged language. Using minimal emotional language increases a petitioner's chances of winning by 29%, while respondents can win with certainty when using objective tone.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Law and Courts·DateNov 21, 2016

El Niño conditions in the Pacific precedes dengue fever epidemics in South Asia

Researchers have found a strong association between El Niáo-Southern Oscillation conditions and observed weather in Sri Lanka, leading to exacerbated dengue epidemics. The study used the Oceanic Niño Index to quantify data associations and found an increasing relative risk of dengue with increasing rainfall and temperatures.

SourceUmea University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateNov 21, 2016

Cooking and masculinity in Sweden

A Swedish study explores how everyday domestic cooking relates to masculinity, finding that it serves as a means of appreciation, self-fulfillment, and social connection. Cooking is seen as a key aspect of male homosociality and fathering responsibilities, with men valuing the act of cooking as much as sharing meals.

SourceUppsala University·JournalThe Sociological Review·DateNov 21, 2016

Study finds occupational therapy unable to delay Alzheimer's patients' functional decline

A randomized trial involving 180 Alzheimer's patients found that occupational therapy did not slow the loss of physical function, despite tailored to individual patient needs. The results underscore the burden on caregivers and highlight the need for additional support strategies, such as home modifications and assistive devices.

SourceIndiana University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 21, 2016

Sniffing out cultural differences

A study at McGill University found significant differences in how people from different cultures perceive and react to the same scents. Providing odour names reduced these cultural differences, suggesting that mental representations activated by sensory information are more diverse than those activated by knowledge of what the scent is.

SourceMcGill University·JournalChemical Senses·DateNov 21, 2016

SVIN announces 'Stroke: Mission thrombectomy 2020'

The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) aims to enhance global efforts to improve stroke care by increasing the rate of mechanical thrombectomy from less than 100,000 procedures today to 202,000 annually by 2020. This initiative seeks to reduce global stroke disability and improve patient outcomes.

NFL player health: The role of club doctors

Conflicts of interest between players and club doctors pose a threat to NFL players' health, according to a new special report. The report proposes changing the structure of medical care for football players to prioritize player-patient loyalty over dual obligations to clubs and players.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateNov 21, 2016

FSU researcher targeting mysteries of deep Earth

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that water is stored far deeper in the Earth than previously thought. Researchers estimate that water exists between 400 to 600 kilometers into the mantle, where it is transported through a high-pressure polymorph of brucite.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2016

Sooner on your feet after hip fracture

A new study published in the Journal of Bone Joint Surgery has found that treatment with teriparatide accelerates bone healing and improves recovery after hip fractures. Patients who received teriparatide showed significant improvements in mobility and reduced pain compared to those treated with a different medication.

SourceLinköping University·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateNov 21, 2016

Adding higher frequencies helps detect adolescent hearing loss

Adding higher frequencies to the American Academy of Pediatrics hearing test protocol helps detect adolescent hearing loss. Early detection enables modification of behavior to prevent continued damage. The study found that young adults with mild hearing loss may exhibit reading, emotional, or socialization problems.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateNov 21, 2016