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Science News Archive March 2020 - Page 30


Page 30 of 41

Spending on experiences versus possessions advances more immediate happiness

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that consumers derive more happiness from experiential purchases than material ones. The researchers recruited over 2,600 adults and monitored their emotions and purchasing behavior, discovering that happiness was higher for those who spent on experiences a...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 9, 2020

Underrepresented college students benefit more from 'active learning' techniques in STEM

Active learning techniques have been shown to significantly narrow the achievement gap between overrepresented and underrepresented students in STEM fields. In a recent study, instructors incorporated more active learning methods into undergraduate STEM courses, resulting in exam scores narrowing by 33-42% and course passing rates impr...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Violence faced by sexual minority adolescents

A new study has quantified the risk of physical and sexual violence faced by LGBTQ+ high school students in the US. The research found a significant association between sexual minority status and increased rates of violence, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 9, 2020

A flexible brain for AI

Scientists at Osaka University created a flexible computing device from field-programmable gate arrays, increasing circuit density by 12 times and reducing energy usage by 80%. This innovation may lead to custom machine learning hardware with enhanced performance and reduced electricity consumption.

Stone-Age social networks

A study of ostrich eggshell bead exchange reveals that relationships among hunter-gatherer groups existed across hundreds of kilometers in late Middle Stone Age southern Africa. The size of the network provided access to high ecological diversity and offered a social strategy against scarcity.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

New study presents stretchable and colorless solar cells, using Si microwire composites

Researchers at UNIST have developed flexible and transparent solar cells that can absorb reflected light, increasing their efficiency. The new solar cell structure takes advantage of the theoretical light absorption mechanism to recycle reflected light, enabling it to maintain over 95% initial efficiency even after bending tests.

Tax incentives for businesses could contribute to the decline of the middle class

A new study by West Virginia University researchers found that economic development incentives may contribute to the decline of middle-class jobs. The study examined the impact of tax breaks on employment trends in two cities, San Antonio and Birmingham, and found that incentivizing creative-class industries led to job losses in workin...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateMar 9, 2020

Modern women with heart disease need flexible lifestyle programs

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that women with heart disease often face barriers to cardiac rehabilitation due to lack of time, social support and transportation issues. The authors identified ways to modernize cardiac rehabilitation by offering enjoyable physical activities, flexible class tim...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateMar 7, 2020

Neuroscientists discover new structure of important protein in the brain

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have successfully mapped a novel conformation of LeuT, a bacterial protein similar to neurotransmitter transporters. This discovery sheds light on the mechanism of these proteins and may lead to better drugs for treating conditions such as ADHD, depression, and epilepsy.

Older beetle parents 'less flexible'

Researchers found that younger females adapt their reproductive strategy based on the size of the carcass available, while older females consistently put high effort into reproduction. This age-dependent plasticity in parental care allows younger beetles to conserve resources for future reproductive opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateMar 6, 2020

Showing robots how to do your chores

Researchers at MIT developed a system called PUnS that lets robots plan and perform complex tasks like setting a dinner table under uncertain conditions. The system enables robots to weigh multiple requirements and choose the most likely action, based on a 'belief' about probable specifications for the task.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateMar 6, 2020

Music intervention and mindfulness reduces the effect of mental fatigue

A new study found that music-intervention (binaural beats) and 4 weeks of daily mindfulness training significantly reduced the effect of mental fatigue on sustained attention. The experienced mindfulness group performed better than others, indicating that practicing mindfulness helps focus and handle stressful situations.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Cognitive Enhancement·DateMar 6, 2020

How communication about environmental issues can bridge the political divide

A new study from Ohio State University suggests that communication about environmental issues can help bridge the political divide by appealing to moral foundations. The researchers found that conservative moral messaging was more effective at increasing support for transitioning away from fossil fuels among conservatives, especially w...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·DateMar 6, 2020

How drones can hear walls

Researchers have developed an algorithm that uses the transit time of sound waves to assign echoes to specific walls. The drone's six degrees of freedom are sufficient for optimal microphone placement, reducing ghost wall detection. This innovation opens a new pathway towards practical applications in various fields.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Algebra and Geometry·DateMar 6, 2020

SARS influencing response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Singapore

The article highlights key areas of review for diagnostic radiologists, vascular and interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging specialists, as well as radiographers and nursing units. It emphasizes the need for rapid sharing of accurate information, infection prevention, and control knowledge, and emotional ma...

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMar 6, 2020

NASA satellite offers urban carbon dioxide insights

A new NASA/university study uses satellite data to track carbon dioxide emissions in 20 major cities worldwide, revealing that densely populated cities tend to emit less CO2 per person. However, exceptions exist, such as cities with major power generation facilities and affluent areas with high rates of driving.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 6, 2020

Confusing standards lead to extra sugar in kids' breakfast cereals

A new study found that breakfast cereals marketed to children often contain more sugar per ounce than intended due to inadequate industry guidelines. Many companies participating in self-regulation programs like CFBAI fail to promote lower-sugar options, leading parents to unknowingly consume excessive sugar.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 6, 2020

Machine sucks up tiny tissue spheroids and prints them precisely

Researchers at Penn State developed a novel bioprinting technique that uses aspiration-assisted printing to place tiny tissue spheroids in precise locations, enabling the creation of homogeneous and heterocellular tissues. This method has potential applications in regenerative medicine, drug screening, and microphysiological systems.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2020