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Science News for February 8, 2017


Study provides clues to the sex difference in dyslexia

Research suggests males are more likely to be diagnosed with dyslexia, possibly due to differences in reading performance and processing speed. Variability in processing speed may also contribute to co-occurring attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateFeb 8, 2017

The origin of stem cells

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered how shoot stem cells form in plants, a process similar to animals. The transcription factor WOX2 regulates the balance between plant hormones cytokinin and auxin, allowing stem cells to maintain their unlimited potential for development.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 8, 2017

New study finds that eating whole grains increases metabolism and calorie loss

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that substituting whole grains for refined grains increases calorie loss by reducing calories retained during digestion. Participants who ate a whole-grain diet lost close to an extra 100 calories per day due to increased resting metabolic rate and greater fecal ...

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateFeb 8, 2017

Believe in the American dream?

A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Management found that materialistic consumers who believe they can improve their financial status through hard work are more likely to save money and regulate their spending. Conversely, those with pessimistic views on economic mobility are more prone to impulse purchases.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateFeb 8, 2017

Can parental education improve effectiveness of school-based BMI screening?

A study published in Childhood Obesity found that parents who received educational material along with BMI screening results were more likely to express a desire to change at least one obesity-related risk factor. This suggests that parental education can improve the acceptance and utility of BMI screening in school-age children.

Analysis uncovers racial bias in fatal shootings by police

A recent analysis found that Black civilians were over twice as likely to be unarmed when fatally shot by US police in 2015 compared to their white counterparts. The study also revealed that civilians from other minority groups were more likely not to pose a threat to officers or others.

SourceWiley·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateFeb 8, 2017

'Who needs a flu shot? -- not me'

A study by Hyunmin Lee found that individuals tend to think the media's coverage of flu epidemics influences others more than themselves. This perception counteracts the message's intended behavior, leading to decreased vaccination intentions.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateFeb 8, 2017

Carnivores more seriously threatened by roads than previously acknowledged

A global study found that carnivores are more seriously threatened by roads than previously acknowledged. The research highlights the need to update the protection status of species such as the puma, American black bear, and brown bear, which are severely affected by road habitats cut through their habitat.

Snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets are about one-quarter livestock

A study published in PLOS ONE found that around a quarter of snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets consist of livestock, highlighting the challenges for conserving these endangered species. The research analyzed DNA and hairs in scats from 182 snow leopards and 57 wolves, revealing prey preferences and diet composition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 8, 2017

Deep groundwater aquifers respond rapidly to climate variability

Researchers found that responses to climate variations can be detected in deep groundwater aquifers within a year, suggesting an intermediate connection between precipitation and groundwater levels. Pumping of aquifers may drive this rapid response, controlled by crop water demand and agricultural industry activities.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 8, 2017

How can marijuana policy protect the adolescent brain?

Experts recommend that laws legalizing marijuana outline restrictions on age, frequency of use, potency, and advertising to prevent abuse. They also emphasize the need for additional research to guide informed policy decisions.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2017

Is it time for a dedicated tax to fund the NHS?

The BMJ publishes a debate article on whether a dedicated tax is needed to fund the NHS, with proponents arguing it would reflect public wishes and provide welcome certainty. Critics, however, believe a hypothecated tax would not protect funding from economic uncertainty and that simpler solutions exist.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 8, 2017

Pure iron grains are rare in the universe

New research suggests that pure iron grains are extremely rare in the universe, contrary to previously thought, and may be forming invisible metal particles. A study published in Science Advances used a rocket-based experiment to simulate the formation of pure iron grains in space, revealing grain formation is highly unlikely.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 8, 2017

Measuring time without a clock

Researchers at EPFL have determined a delay of one billionth of one billionth of a second in photoemission by measuring the spin of photoemitted electrons. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the properties of electrons in solids and advancing spectroscopy techniques.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 8, 2017

Record-breaking material that contracts when heated

Nagoya University researchers have developed a new class of composite materials with negative thermal expansion, offering potential solutions for industrial applications. The reduced ruthenate ceramic material shrinks by up to 6.7% when heated, making it more than double the current record-holding material.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2017

Genetic profiling can guide stem cell transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Researchers discovered genetic mutations in TP53, RAS pathway genes, and JAK2 gene associated with shorter survival and increased relapse risk after stem cell transplant. The findings provide a guide for identifying patients most likely to benefit from a transplant, enabling personalized treatment strategies.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2017

Study finds naps may help preschoolers learn

A new study found that preschoolers who napped after learning new verbs had a better understanding of the words when tested 24 hours later. The study suggests that parents may want to consider maintaining regular naptimes for preschoolers, who are at an age where naps have a tendency to dwindle.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 8, 2017

CU Anschutz research investigates role of protein in obesity among Latin American women

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Biology found that limited access to dietary protein is a potential driver of obesity among women of low socioeconomic status in Latin America. The researchers used the protein leverage hypothesis to understand differences in obesity among socioeconomic groups and discovered an ...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateFeb 8, 2017

Towards equal access to digital coins

Scientists at the University of Luxembourg developed Equihash, a memory-hard problem algorithm that resolves Bitcoin's centralization issue. This allows for more democratic digital currencies like Zcash, where users can contribute to mining with standard hardware, reducing investment costs and increasing decentralization.

Men experience greater cognitive impairment and short-term death following hip surgery

A recent study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that men are more susceptible to cognitive impairment following hip surgery. Cognitive limitations significantly increase the risk of dying within six months for both men and women, with men being up to five times more likely to die than unimpaired women.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 8, 2017

Decoding ocean signals

Ocean absorbing more carbon dioxide reduces atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, but promotes acidification in marine organisms. A study by UC Santa Barbara geographer Timothy DeVries and colleagues found that a slowdown of the ocean's overturning circulation is likely the cause.

Could drugs replace gastric bypass surgery?

Researchers have identified B0AT1 inhibitors as a potential replacement for gastric bypass surgery in treating obesity and related disorders. These compounds, including benztropine, could replicate the effects of gastric bypass by reducing nutrient absorption, offering a new treatment option.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateFeb 8, 2017