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Science News for April 10, 2017


Distracted? Slowing down, not a safe option

Distracted drivers who slow down to avoid on-road conflicts may actually increase their own crash risk. Young drivers are particularly vulnerable due to the prevalence of mobile phone use in this age group. The study suggests context-aware mobile phone design, advanced technology, and warning systems as potential solutions.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateApr 10, 2017

Study: Higher wages linked to immigrant diversity

A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that diverse immigrant populations lead to higher wages in cities with inclusive institutions, whereas anti-immigrant policies stunt wage growth for US-born employees. The study tracked data from 33 million people across 160 metropolitan areas and showed a significant wage increase of ...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEconomic Geography·DateApr 10, 2017

Life skills are important for wellbeing in later life

Researchers found that people with more life skills, such as emotional stability and control, enjoyed better health outcomes, including lower cholesterol levels and smaller waistlines. The study also found a link between increased life skills and reduced loneliness, depression, and improved physical functioning.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2017

Student and school variables can predict high school dropout, study finds

A Georgia State University study found that high school dropout rates are influenced by both student-level and school-level factors. Socioeconomic status plays a significant role in determining dropout rates, regardless of race or ethnicity. Schools can make a difference by offering extracurricular activities and limiting retention pol...

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalSchool Psychology Quarterly·DateApr 10, 2017

Weather-forecast tool adapted to evaluate brain health of oxygen-deprived newborns

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have adapted a weather-forecast tool to assess the effectiveness of therapies for reducing brain injury in newborns who suffered oxygen deprivation during birth. The non-invasive method produces real-time heat maps of the infant's brain, helping doctors determine whether therapies are working.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 10, 2017

Logging threatens breeding turtles

Research by the University of Exeter found that logging debris on beaches in Colombia is impacting breeding turtles' movement and survival. The study revealed that females with high amounts of debris were more likely to be wounded or have eggs at risk due to flooding.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateApr 10, 2017

Putting a spin on logic gates

Researchers have developed a prototype for a spin-wave majority logic gate that utilizes wave interference to process information. This innovation uses spin waves instead of classical currents or voltages, enabling the creation of nanoscale devices with improved efficiency and reliability.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 10, 2017

Two new species of orchids discovered in Okinawa

Researchers have discovered two new species of parasitic orchids, Gastrodia nipponicoides and Gastrodia okinawanesis, on the main island of Okinawa. The plants are related to the common orchid Gastrodia nipponica but can be distinguished by differences in their petals' lips and column structure.

SourceKobe University·JournalPhytotaxa·DateApr 10, 2017

Rice U. scientists add to theory about Huntington's mechanism

Researchers use computer simulations to show how N-terminal sequence encourages aggregation of huntingtin protein fragments while polyproline inhibits it. This discovery offers a new target for drug development to halt Huntington's disease progression. The study also highlights the involvement of the cytoskeleton in the disease mechanism.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2017

Greenhouse gas effect caused by mangrove forest conversion is quite significant

A seven-year study reveals that mangrove conversion to agricultural uses results in a land-use carbon footprint of 1,440-1,603 pounds of CO2 for beef and shrimp production, respectively. This amounts to approximately the same greenhouse gas emissions as driving a fuel-efficient automobile from Los Angeles to New York City.

SourceOregon State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateApr 10, 2017

Forget sponges: The earliest animals were marine jellies

A team of evolutionary biologists from Vanderbilt University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison devised a new approach to settle contentious phylogenetic tree-of-life issues. They found that comb jellies have considerably more genes supporting their 'first to diverge' status in the animal lineage than do sponges.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 10, 2017

Patients at hospital-based primary practices more likely to get unnecessary tests

Patients at hospital-based primary care practices are more likely to receive unnecessary tests and services for common conditions like back pain and upper respiratory infections. The study found that clinic location, not ownership, is the key factor driving this disparity, with hospital-owned community clinics delivering similar care t...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 10, 2017

Brain stimulation influences honest behavior

Researchers found that brain stimulation increased honest behavior in people who experienced a moral conflict between material and moral interests. The stimulation mainly reduced cheating in those with strong moral inclinations, but did not affect decision-making process in those committed to maximizing earnings.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2017

Children notice what adults miss, study finds

Researchers found that children tend to pay attention to all information presented, even when asked to focus on one item. This helps them notice things adults miss due to selective attention. The study's findings have implications for education environments and suggest a need to design classrooms with fewer distractions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 10, 2017

Soy protein concentrate can replace animal proteins in weanling pig diets

Researchers found that soy protein concentrate (SPC) ground to three particle sizes showed improved digestibility of crude protein and amino acids compared to traditional protein sources. The results indicate that SPC can be used as an alternative to animal proteins in weanling pig diets without negative effects on growth performance.

Dry needling offers alternative to cortisone injection for hip pain

A new study published in JOSPT found that dry needling is as effective as cortisone injection in reducing pain and improving movement problems caused by greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Researchers treated patients with chronic hip pain, finding that both treatments resulted in decreased pain and improved function.

SourceJOSPT, Inc. d/b/a Movement Science Media·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy·DateApr 10, 2017

A little inhibition shapes the brain's GPS

A specific class of inhibitory neurons plays a crucial role in encoding spatial information in the brain. The study found that these neurons, which are essential for maintaining precise maps of spatial information, become dysfunctional when they lack a protein called ErbB4, leading to alterations in spatial learning and memory.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 10, 2017

What happens to the boats?

A study of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake reveals a lack of knowledge among Portuguese citizens about tsunamis, yet most recognize the importance of learning more. The authors advocate for including historical and scientific issues in geosciences programs to address seismic risks and responses.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateApr 10, 2017

Mysterious outbreak of disfiguring tropical disease in western Uganda linked to decades of walking barefoot in volcanic soils

A new study finds that long-term exposure to soil minerals from walking barefoot in volcanic soils is the cause of a debilitating and disfiguring skin condition in western Uganda. The researchers found that people had been suffering silently for decades before symptoms became apparent.

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateApr 10, 2017

Why green spaces are good for grey matter

A study of older people found that walking between busy urban areas and green spaces triggers changes in brain activity, reducing frustration and increasing excitement. The research has important implications for architects, planners, and health professionals as the global population ages and becomes more urbanized.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 10, 2017

New study shows that three quarters of deep-sea animals make their own light

A new study by MBARI researchers Séverine Martini and Steve Haddock found that three quarters of deep-sea animals in Monterey Bay waters can produce bioluminescence. The study revealed a surprising similarity in the proportion of glowing to non-glowing animals at different depths, with various groups of animals responsible for light pr...

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 10, 2017

Are your sensors spying on you?

Researchers at Newcastle University found that malicious websites and installed apps can crack four-digit PINs with a 70% accuracy using smartphone sensor data. The study revealed that people are unaware of the risks, and despite industry awareness, no solution has been found yet.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalInternational Journal of Information Security·DateApr 10, 2017

Obesity may influence rheumatoid arthritis blood tests

New research reveals that obesity influences blood tests for C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, particularly in women with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found greater BMI was associated with increased CRP levels in these individuals.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateApr 10, 2017

Common sedatives linked to increased risk of pneumonia in people with Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found a 30% increased risk of pneumonia in patients with Alzheimer's disease taking benzodiazepines, particularly within the first 30 days of treatment. The study suggests that benzodiazepines' sedative nature may increase the risk of pneumonia by increasing saliva or food aspiration into the lungs.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 10, 2017