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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 26


Page 26 of 40

Connection between home energy efficiency and respiratory health in low-income homes

A new study published in Environmental Research found that people living in drafty homes in low-income, urban communities are at a higher risk of respiratory health issues such as asthma. The study revealed that residents in homes with the highest air-exchange rates were more likely to report chronic cough and asthma-like symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateFeb 11, 2019

Keeping SDGs from being a zero-sum game

Scientists at AAAS Annual Meeting explore ways to address unintended consequences of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers discuss strategies for reducing tradeoffs between human well-being, nature conservation, and resource management.

Your genes could impact the quality of your marriage

A study at Binghamton University found that variation on the Oxytocin Receptor gene impacts marital quality by influencing how partners provide and receive support from each other. Couples with certain genotypes, particularly those associated with social deficits, reported lower satisfaction with their marriages.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateFeb 11, 2019

Beyond romance

A new study explores how an individual's genetics and brain activity correlate with altruistic behaviors directed toward romantic partners. The team found that pathways related to bonding in other animals showed up in humans, suggesting a link between empathy and altruism more generally.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateFeb 11, 2019

More than a courier

A study by Harvard Medical School researchers suggests that axon growth cones can make decisions locally and function semi-autonomously without the cell body. This challenges traditional dogma about neurons, proposing a more intricate web of decision-making and the existence of semi-independent units.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateFeb 11, 2019

Stress-free training may enhance surgical skill

Researchers found that students trained in a relaxed environment acquired microsurgical suturing and cutting skills rapidly, with performance levels comparable to seasoned surgeons. The study's results challenge traditional training doctrines, suggesting that stress-free conditions can improve skill acquisition and retention.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 11, 2019

Surrounded by low achievers -- High on positive emotions?

A recent study by Professor Thomas Götz found that students feel better in an environment with lower overall standards than in one with higher standards. The study, involving over 7,700 German school students, suggests a reciprocal effect where achievement influences emotions and emotions influence achievement.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 11, 2019

Why Mr. Nice could be Mr. Right

A new study from Michigan State University suggests that finding someone who is nice and conscientious can lead to higher levels of relationship satisfaction. The research found that even among couples with similar personalities, traits like neuroticism and extroversion have a negative impact on relationship happiness

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateFeb 11, 2019

Potent marijuana edibles can pose a major unrecognized risk to patients with cardiovascular disease

A case report describes a patient who developed cardiac events after consuming potent marijuana edibles, emphasizing the importance of understanding THC's effects on the cardiovascular system. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate patients with cardiovascular disease about cannabis use and its complications.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateFeb 11, 2019

Grocery-store based nutrition education improves eating habits

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that grocery store-based nutrition counseling was effective in changing dietary habits of patients with hypertension. The program improved intake of fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, while reducing sodium and saturated fat consumption.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateFeb 11, 2019

Machine learning algorithm helps in the search for new drugs

A machine learning algorithm has been developed to speed up the process of discovering new medicines, identifying four new molecules that activate a protein relevant to symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. The algorithm is twice as efficient as industry standards and can analyze vast amounts of chemical data.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019

Lefty or righty molecules lend a hand to material structures

Researchers at Rice University have created chiral polymers that can enable materials with unique properties, such as optical and sensing capabilities. The discovery could lead to the creation of metamaterials with tunable properties, including tough-but-flexible compounds with distinct functions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019

It is all about electrons, not names

Researchers identified genes encoding oxidoreductases as key attributes for characterizing global microbial communities. This approach provides a new diagnostic tool for assessing ecosystem services and developing management policies. The study sheds light on the critical role of microorganisms in planetary physiology.

SourceUniversidad de Concepción·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019