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Science News Archive November 2016 - Page 12


Page 12 of 38

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