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Science News Archive July 2018 - Page 27


Page 27 of 38

Want an expensive engagement ring? Looks count

Research suggests that men will purchase more expensive engagement rings when imagining themselves with an attractive woman, while women prioritize larger rings with their less attractive partner. Women who rate themselves as physically attractive also opt for pricier rings.

SourceSpringer·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateJul 10, 2018

Unplugged holidays tipped to increase

Research from James Cook University suggests digital-free tourism is gaining traction, with luxury resorts and isolated island destinations capitalizing on the trend. The study found growing media coverage of digital-detox holidays, which are expected to expand into more services and programs.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalTourism Management·DateJul 10, 2018

Stop antibiotics before resistance 'tipping point'

New evidence suggests that reducing antibiotic course length can reduce the risk of resistance. Microbial communities can reach a tipping point when exposed to antibiotics, leading to an irreversible shift towards drug resistance. Stopping treatment too soon may not prevent resistance from occurring.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 10, 2018

Game changing game changes

A new framework, described in a paper published in Nature, models the evolution of cooperation based on repeated stochastic games. The system shows that even if cooperation does not evolve in individual games, it can emerge when combined with multiple games.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2018

Ecology and AI

Researchers from Harvard University and others demonstrated that deep learning can identify animal images with 99.3% accuracy, automating a laborious process. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like wildlife ecology and conservation.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 10, 2018

Developmental screening and surveillance rates remain low, new study suggests

A new study suggests that developmental screening and surveillance rates remain low in the US, with only about one-third of young children receiving recommended screenings. The study found significant variations in rates across states, with Oregon performing as the top state and Mississippi struggling to meet the 17% benchmark.

Two new USPSTF recommendation statements

The USPSTF concludes that current evidence is insufficient to make recommendations on screening for PAD and CVD risk with ABI in asymptomatic adults. Additionally, the task force finds that adding ABI, hsCRP level, and CAC score to traditional risk assessments does not prevent CVD events in asymptomatic adults.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 10, 2018

Challenging the conventional wisdom on calculus

A Harvard University study of over 6,000 college freshmen found that students who mastered algebra, geometry, and trigonometry had twice the impact on college calculus success as those who took calculus in high school. Weaker math students who took calculus in high school actually benefited the most from the class.

SourceHarvard University·JournalJournal for Research in Mathematics Education·DateJul 10, 2018

Face value

Researchers developed a video game, VERITAS, that improves players' ability to discern truth from lies. After one hour of training, players can accurately detect truth 68% of the time, compared to 56% initially.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateJul 10, 2018

Living in areas with less sun may increase your risk of OCD

A study from Binghamton University found that individuals living in areas with lower sunlight exposure may have a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers suggest that reduced morning light exposure could disrupt the internal biology and external light-dark cycle, leading to increased OCD symptoms.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders·DateJul 10, 2018

Unique brain 'fingerprint' can predict drug effectiveness

Researchers developed a personalized Therapeutic Intervention Fingerprint (pTIF) to predict the effectiveness of targeting specific biological factors for controlling neurological disease progression. This technique can categorize patients with their unique physiological needs, leading to more effective and tailored treatments.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuroImage·DateJul 10, 2018

As brain extracts meaning from vision, study tracks progression of processing

A new study tracked how the brain processes visual information from simple sensory inputs to meaningful categories, finding a continuum of activity across multiple cortical regions. The research challenges classic beliefs about separate regions playing distinct roles, suggesting a more integrated network of functional similarities.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 10, 2018