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Science News Archive May 2017 - Page 2


Page 2 of 42

Sharing voluntarily makes young kids happy

A new study shows that preschool kids who share their own accord are happier than those who are obliged to do so. When given stickers, children aged 3-5 years old exhibited greater happiness when sharing voluntarily rather than being forced to do so.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMay 31, 2017

Sizzling snails prioritize protein stability

The study reveals that Echinolittorina snails have a unique enzyme structure that enables them to maintain protein stability at high temperatures, allowing them to thrive in hot environments. The researchers found that subtle differences in amino acid sequences between the snail proteins enabled them to remain functional and stable at ...

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 31, 2017

Study offers hard data on food allergies

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 3.6 percent of the population studied had a documented food allergy or intolerance. Shellfish was the most commonly reported food allergy, with the highest rates among females and Asians.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 31, 2017

Giant ringed planet likely cause of mysterious eclipses

An international team of astronomers led by University of Warwick discovered a giant gas planet up to 50x Jupiter's mass with rings, causing regular eclipses of the young star PDS 110 in Orion constellation. The next eclipse is predicted for September, allowing amateur astronomers to witness and gather new data.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 31, 2017

Women 'damned either way' on maternity leave

New research reveals that women are 'damned' either way on maternity leave, with negative perceptions of competence in both work and family domains. The study suggests that policies allowing women to balance work and family life are crucial, but may have unintended consequences.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateMay 31, 2017

Mining for answers on abandoned mines

Researchers found that biochar application successfully reduced soil acidity and made heavy metals less bioavailable, converting them into less toxic forms. This locally sourced biochar can be used to prevent metal accumulation in soils near abandoned mines, potentially reviving degraded ecosystems.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateMay 31, 2017

From terrestrial and marine bioresources and wastes to value-added products

This review article showcases the potential of biomass and its derived wastes in producing sustainable bioproducts and fuels. The authors highlight various conversion processes, including bioethanol, biodiesel, and biomethane production, as well as activated carbon manufacturing from bioresources.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalRecent Innovations in Chemical Engineering (Formerly Recent Patents on Chemical Engineering)·DateMay 31, 2017

Spotting the invisible

Researchers at Umeå University have successfully mapped the structure and function of a transient enzyme state using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The study reveals that the transient state is essential for enzyme function and provides clues on how enzymes speed up reactions with incredible specificity and efficacy.

SourceUmea University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 31, 2017

Linguistic style is key to crowdfunding success

Research at the University of Illinois Chicago found that linguistic styles making campaigns more understandable and relatable to the crowd significantly boosted social campaign success. Short stories with interactive styles are effective for social good campaigns, while commercial campaigns rely more on content.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Business Venturing·DateMay 31, 2017

Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination

A team of Kyoto University researchers has successfully used neural network-based artificial intelligence to decode and predict visual content in the human brain. The technology, known as Deep Neural Network (DNN), shows promise for improving brain-machine interfaces and potentially even understanding consciousness.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 31, 2017

Pay $8 for a Buddha-shaped pear foolish or fun? Your age may predict your answer

A study by the University of Illinois found that younger consumers, particularly those with lower incomes, are more inclined to purchase uniquely shaped fruits. The researchers suggest that marketers can target people who like adventure and seek new experiences by offering avant-garde fruit shapes. The novelty-shaped pears are grown in...