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Science News Archive February 2017 - Page 23


Page 23 of 37

Insurance status impacts complication rates after shoulder replacement surgery

A study analyzing over 100,000 shoulder replacement surgery cases found that patients with Medicaid or no insurance had significantly higher complication rates compared to privately insured patients. Disparities in postoperative outcomes were attributed to lack of access to preoperative and postoperative care due to socioeconomic factors.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery·DateFeb 13, 2017

Success by deception

Researchers developed a novel neural network method that can categorize complex datasets without prior knowledge. By using an 'act as if' principle, they trained networks to mimic human intuition, allowing them to identify boundaries in data. This method has potential applications in physics analysis, machine learning, and data mining.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 13, 2017

Low birth weight babies at higher risk for mental health problems later in life

Babies born with extremely low birth weight are at risk for mental health problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. The studies found these risks began in childhood and extended into adulthood, with significantly higher levels of depression and social problems among adults born with extremely low birth weight.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateFeb 13, 2017

How many calories in that tweet?

A team of scientists invented a new instrument, called the Lexicocalorimeter, to measure the caloric content of social media posts. The device gathers geo-tagged Twitter posts and scores them based on typical calorie content and activity burn rates to provide insights into public health.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2017

Looking at Sardinian DNA for genetic clues to an island's -- and Europe's -- past

A recent study analyzing 3,491 modern Sardinian mitochondrial DNA genomes reveals that the island is home to unique genetic haplogroups, which likely arose after its initial occupation. These findings support archaeological evidence of a Mesolithic occupation and suggest a dual ancestral origin of the first inhabitants.

Neurons support cancer growth throughout the body

Recent studies found that tumors exploit neuronal signals to grow and thrive. Researchers aim to develop targeted therapies by interrupting specific molecular pathways co-opted by tumor cells. This growing understanding sheds light on cancer pathology observations.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cancer·DateFeb 13, 2017

The damage of discrimination

A Harvard study found that minority workers perform worse under biased managers, with a 53rd percentile performance rate compared to the 79th percentile under unbiased managers. This disparity is due to biased managers interacting less with minorities, leading to reduced productivity and lower pay for minority workers.

SourceHarvard University·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateFeb 13, 2017

Your brain on exercise

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that low-intensity exercise increases activation in the visual cortex, enhancing information representation and selectivity. This effect is linked to increased arousal, which may provide a competitive advantage.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateFeb 13, 2017

How evolution alters biological invasions

Rutgers scientists studied evolution in invaded ecosystems using glass jar experiments with thousands of microscopic organisms. The study found that microbes' interactions altered performance and led to differences in resident and invading species.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 13, 2017

For decision-makers who want the best, focus on the strategy

Research shows that people who focus on finding the best option (maximizers) may experience frustration and regret when re-evaluating their choices. Maximizing can lead to depression, lower life satisfaction, and procrastination. On the other hand, a strategic approach to decision-making can lead to satisfying outcomes.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateFeb 13, 2017

New method to detect ultrasound with light

Northwestern University scientists have developed a tiny, transparent device that can detect ultrasound waves, potentially helping diagnose diseases like macular degeneration and diabetes. The Micro-ring resonator detector uses optical ultrasound detection methods to create high-resolution images of biological materials.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 13, 2017

How eating less can slow the aging process

Researchers found that reducing calorie consumption slows down ribosome production, giving cells extra time to repair themselves and maintaining overall bodily function. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of aging and may help inform decisions about diet and nutrition.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateFeb 13, 2017

Using high-resolution satellites to measure African farm yields

Researchers developed a method to estimate crop yields from space using high-resolution satellites, which could improve agricultural productivity and test intervention strategies. By combining satellite imagery with computer models of crop growth, they achieved surprisingly accurate predictions of actual productivity on the field.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2017

Gut bacteria may play a role in Alzheimer's disease

A study from Lund University found that intestinal bacteria can accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The researchers discovered a direct causal link between gut bacteria and the disease, suggesting that modulating the gut microbiota through diet and probiotics could prevent or delay its onset.

SourceLund University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2017

Researchers solve fish evolution mystery

A University of Wyoming researcher and her team have discovered that the rapid evolution of Lake Victoria cichlids was facilitated by earlier hybridization between two distantly related species. This phenomenon has resulted in over 700 species of fish evolving in just 150,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2017