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Science News Archive April 2017 - Page 16


Page 16 of 37

U of I study ranks which production attributes are most important to consumers when buying beef, chicken

A University of Illinois study reveals which production attributes matter most to consumers when buying beef and chicken, with 'no growth hormones' topping the list. The study found that organic was ranked lowest in importance, sparking surprise among researchers who attribute this to a lack of understanding about the term's meaning.

Predictive power

The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) developed a model of the Watts Bar Unit 2 reactor core before startup and simulated its initial cycle. The simulations confirmed engineers' predictions on safe operation and provided detailed hour-by-hour behavior during power escalation. CASL's high-fidelity code su...

Chaining up diarrhea pathogens

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that vaccine-induced IgA antibodies 'enchain' bacteria in the intestine, forming clumps that prevent disease and genetic exchange of resistant genes. This approach could lead to a new strategy for intestinal infections, including farm animal vaccination and potential human applications.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateApr 18, 2017

Researchers identify tactic Dengue virus uses to delay triggering immune response

Researchers identified cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) as the protein responsible for detecting viral infection, but dengue virus counteracts this by degrading cGAS. This study sheds light on a novel mechanism by which viruses evade immune detection and may inform techniques to dampen pro-inflammatory responses.

Individualizing health care one byte at a time

A team of scientists has developed an algorithm called PhenomeNET Variant Predictor (PVP) that can identify genetic changes in patients with genetic disorders. PVP uses data from non-human model organisms and a large database of gene-to-phenotype associations to prioritize variants with their likelihood of involvement in human disease.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 18, 2017

Well-kept vacant lots can help reduce crime

A new study by Michigan State University found that well-kept vacant lots can help reduce crime rates in urban areas. The research analyzed nine years of crime data in Flint, Michigan, and discovered a correlation between greening efforts and decreased crime rates, including violent and property crimes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalApplied Geography·DateApr 18, 2017

Understanding decisions: The power of combining psychology and economics

A collaborative effort between psychologists and economists reveals that combining both disciplines leads to better understanding of decisions. The research focuses on individuals' expectations for major life events, such as finding work or having children, and shows that teens are capable of estimating numerical probabilities with acc...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2017

Paper: Nutrition label readers favor food quality over quantity

Researchers found that nutrition label users tend to select healthier foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and beans, while avoiding refined grains and fried foods. The study suggests that dining facilities can encourage healthy eating behaviors by increasing nutrient-dense food options and product reformulations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateApr 18, 2017

Inflammatory bowel diseases on the rise in very young Canadian children

A new study finds that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cases are rising rapidly among young Canadian children, particularly those under five years old. The incidence of IBD has stabilized for children over five but continues to rise in younger age groups, with an estimated 600-650 children diagnosed annually.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalThe American Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 18, 2017

For young adults, cigarettes more pleasurable with alcohol than with pot

A recent study by UCSF found that young adults experience greater pleasure from smoking cigarettes while under the influence of alcohol compared to marijuana. The study, which used self-reported data from 500 participants aged 18-25, suggests that co-use of cigarettes and alcohol may be more pleasurable than co-use with marijuana.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAddiction Research & Theory·DateApr 18, 2017

Bacteriophages, natural drugs to combat superbugs

Researchers discover bacteriophages that can effectively reduce bacterial levels and improve health in mice infected with antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs.' The study's findings suggest phages could be a promising alternative to antibiotics, with potential benefits including fewer side effects and the ability to evolve against resistance.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 18, 2017

Narcissism and social networking

A recent meta-analysis of 57 studies involving over 25,000 participants found a weak to moderate link between social media activity and narcissistic tendencies. Grandiose narcissists are more likely to frequent social networking sites, whereas vulnerable narcissism is associated with insecurity and social withdrawal.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Personality·DateApr 18, 2017

Sea scorpions: The original sea monster

Researchers at the University of Alberta have found that sea scorpions likely used their serrated tail spines to kill ancient early vertebrates. The study suggests that these prehistoric predators could slash their tails from side to side, using a horizontal slashing motion to capture and dispatch their prey.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalThe American Naturalist·DateApr 18, 2017

Climate change and risk to fossil fuel industry: Sustainability train has left the station

The article highlights that climate change threatens the sustainability of the fossil fuel industry, with emissions accounting for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions. The industry faces increasing pressures due to carbon-based businesses and economies facing impediments to consumption, according to Jim Krane and Ritchie D. Priddy.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalMRS Energy & Sustainability·DateApr 18, 2017