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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 36


Page 36 of 41

Venture capitalists' reputations take a hit when publicly listed companies they once endorsed fail

New research from Singapore Management University suggests that venture capitalists' reputations can be damaged when their endorsed companies fail to meet expectations. The study found that VCs create high expectations for their portfolio companies, which can have long-lasting consequences for their own reputations.

SourceSingapore Management University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateAug 6, 2018

Male birds sing less to females on antidepressants

A new study by the University of York found that dilute concentrations of Prozac make female starlings less attractive to males during courtship. The researchers discovered increased male aggression towards females receiving the medication, leading to a higher risk of mate failure and population decline.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalChemosphere·DateAug 6, 2018

The value of pride

Research finds that pride serves an evolved function in human nature, helping individuals weigh self-interest against social approval. The study reveals a close link between pride and the values of those around us, suggesting it's a win-win rather than a sin.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2018

Injectable trace minerals improve mineral status in beef heifers

Researchers found that injectable trace mineral Multimin90 improved conception rates in some herds, but not others. In one study, selenium and copper status improved compared to saline injections. The value of injectables lies in ensuring every animal receives the supplement at a chosen timing.

Enzyme helps build motor that drives neuron death

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a key enzyme that drives neuron death in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS. The enzyme histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) modifies a molecular motor that triggers signaling agents to travel down the axon, killing the neuron.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateAug 6, 2018

Small birds fly at high altitudes towards Africa

Researchers at Lund University tracked the flight height of two small bird species migrating from Scandinavia to Africa, finding they flew as high as 3,950m. The study used a data logger to measure acceleration, air pressure, and temperature during flight, revealing the birds' altitude adjustments in response to changing wind conditions.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateAug 6, 2018

Vaping draws strong support -- from bots

A study found that more than 70% of tweets about e-cigarettes were posted by robots, while human users showed strong support for vaping. The team analyzed nearly 194,000 geocoded tweets and identified adolescent Twitter users as particularly enthusiastic about e-cigarettes.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateAug 6, 2018

People process bad news better under stress

A laboratory and natural experiment demonstrate how threat dissolves human optimism bias, allowing individuals to flexibly shift between optimistic and pessimistic patterns. The study suggests that stress can improve the processing of bad news, enabling people to adapt their optimistic outlook to changing environmental conditions.

Next-generation metabolomics may facilitate the discovery of new antidepressants

Next-generation metabolomics may facilitate the discovery of new antidepressants by providing broader coverage and higher resolution than traditional methods. The technique has demonstrated great potential in accelerating pharmaceutical R&D, particularly for natural products like albiflorin, a promising multi-target drug candidate.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateAug 6, 2018

A deeper look at severe asthma yields NET results

A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers models allergic lung inflammation in mice, revealing the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in triggering and amplifying an allergen-initiated immune response. The findings have implications for designing more precise clinical trials for severe asthma treatment.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Immunology·DateAug 3, 2018