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Amazonian frog has its own ant repellent

A team of researchers discovered that the tiny yellow-striped Amazonian frog has a special skin chemical that allows it to live comfortably among leaf-cutting ants. The frogs' skin extracts mimic the ants' own chemical signals, preventing attacks and enabling coexistence.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 20, 2016

Breaking up: a convoluted drama at nuclear scale, too

Scientists from Aarhus University used a state-of-the-art detector to measure the precise disintegration of carbon into three helium nuclei. Their findings reveal a sequence of fragmentations, relevant to developing aneutronic fusion reactions and improving our understanding of astrophysics phenomena.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal A·DateOct 18, 2016

Exercising the elderly heart: No value in overexertion

A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that frequent participation in multiple types of leisure activities reduces heart-related deaths among seniors. Engaging in low-intensity daily physical activity can provide cardiovascular protection.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 17, 2016

Germs in wastewater often become airborne

A new study reveals that household wastewater can release disease-causing pathogens into the air during irrigation, contaminating crops. On moderately windy days, up to 89% of these pathogens were released within half an hour of soil irrigation.

SourceSpringer·JournalAgronomy for Sustainable Development·DateOct 13, 2016

Inadequate state children's mental health structure hampers chances for improved care

A national survey of state mental health directors reveals poorly organized state agency structures, workforce shortages, limited accessibility, and stigma concerns are hindering improvements in children's mental health care. The survey highlights the need for increased public awareness and understanding to increase access to services.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research·DateOct 11, 2016

Why you smell better with your nose than with your mouth

A study by Thomas Hummel found that the nasal cavity's epithelial lining reacts stronger to inhaled odors, making it easier to detect them. The results suggest that retronasal olfaction, which involves smelling through the mouth, is less sensitive but still allows for a more nuanced experience of food and drinks.

SourceSpringer·JournalChemosensory Perception·DateOct 6, 2016

Here's looking at you -- finding allies through facial cues

Researchers found that men prefer masculine men as allies in a physical fight but feminine-looking women in emotional support, while women's preferences are the opposite. This suggests an evolutionary basis for these differences, with alliances benefiting ancestral males and improving their social rank.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 5, 2016

Hip fractures: Most elderly unlikely to fully recover

A new study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that most elderly individuals who suffer a hip fracture will not regain their pre-injury level of physical activity or independence. The likelihood of recovery was particularly low for those over 85, with dementia, or multiple comorbid conditions.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 8, 2016

YouTube videos promote positive associations with alcohol use

A recent study found that YouTube music videos often glamorize excessive drinking and link it to sexual attractiveness and luxury lifestyles. The research analyzed 49 UK Top 40 videos containing alcohol content, revealing a strong association between alcohol consumption and sociability, personal image, and lifestyle.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Medicine·DateSep 6, 2016

Biofuels not as 'green' as many think

A recent study challenges the assumption that biofuels are carbon neutral, finding a net increase in CO2 emissions from their use in the US. The research suggests that crop-based biofuels like corn ethanol and biodiesel offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 25, 2016

Study takes a step back to look at use of restraints in hospitals

A recent study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that hospitals with adequate staffing levels, particularly registered nurses, experience reduced restraint use. The research suggests that the type of nursing staff rather than just total staffing is a crucial factor in preventing restraints from being used.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 24, 2016

New method helps stabilize materials with elusive magnetism

Researchers introduce two approaches to stabilize itinerant ferromagnetic state in quantum gases, allowing for experimental detection and study of this elusive physical state. By imposing moderate optical lattices or studying cloud evolution, the methods reduce three-body recombination rates, enabling longer-lived ferromagnetic domains.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateAug 10, 2016

Tiger sharks can be marine 'hyenas' too

Tiger sharks exploit easy food sources during nesting season, turning into scavengers when abundant dead sea turtles are available. The research found that tiger sharks spend more time patrolling surface waters near shore, indicating they are searching for carcasses or weakened turtles.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateAug 8, 2016

Adaptation to climate risks: Political affiliation matters

A new study reveals that Democratic voters are more likely to perceive a higher probability of flood damage, expect climate change to increase the risk, and invest in individual protection measures. Republicans, on the other hand, are less likely to trust government to address flood risks and receive federal disaster relief.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 4, 2016

Blood sugar slumps affect how lean men treat the more rotund

A study found that lean men who experience low blood sugar are less fair in their economic decision-making, especially when it comes to hiring and salary decisions involving obese individuals. This bias can lead to employment disparities and unfair treatment of corpulent people in the workplace.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateAug 3, 2016

Adis launches new open access pharmacoeconomics journal

PharmacoEconomics - Open will provide readers with the latest on cost and health outcomes associated with drugs, devices, and healthcare interventions. The new journal aims to disseminate credible open access information to researchers, decision makers, and patients, maximizing the reach of their work.

SourceSpringer·JournalPharmacoEconomics - Open·DateAug 2, 2016

Cuttlefish do not bluff in battle

Male cuttlefish exhibit a hierarchy of threat displays to signal aggressive intent, with frontal and shovel displays predicting subsequent lateral displays. These displays allow rivals to determine the opponent's level of aggression, enabling tactical decisions about contest escalation or withdrawal.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJul 28, 2016

Cracking the mystery of Zika virus replication

Researchers from Tianjin University and Nankai University have unraveled the puzzle of how Zika virus replicates. They discovered a tunnel in the enzyme that holds viral RNA, allowing it to unwind its genetic material. This breakthrough could lead to the development of antiretroviral drugs against this spreading disease.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateJul 26, 2016

Asymmetrical magnetic microbeads transform into micro-robots

Researchers have discovered that asymmetrical magnetic microbeads can be transformed into useful tools controlled by a changing external magnetic field. The Janus particles, inspired by the Roman god of two faces, exhibit unique behavior under oscillating fields, forming linear chains and expanding to create micro-muscles on a chip.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 26, 2016

Black bear links real objects to computer images

A study found that American black bears can recognize visual features of objects they know in real life when presented with photographs. This ability has important implications for the use of photographs in computerized studies involving bears and their welfare.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJul 14, 2016

Drug-use may hamper moral judgment

Research suggests that prolonged drug use can damage the brains of cocaine and methamphetamine users, leading to difficulty with moral decision making. The study found abnormal neural activity in the frontal lobes and limbic regions of their brains during moral processing.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateJul 13, 2016

Surprising neutrino decoherence inside supernovae

A new study reveals that neutrinos produced in the core of a supernova are highly localized compared to all other known sources. Theoretical wave packet size is irrelevant in simpler cases, providing a more solid foundation for standard neutrino behavior theories.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateJul 12, 2016

How cooperation emerges in competing populations

Researchers developed a theoretical framework to understand cooperation in competing populations, applying it to consensus votes and epidemic models. The model shows that long-range spatial correlations affect switching between cooperative and non-cooperative behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 7, 2016

Media not the scapegoat when it comes to teen sex

A meta-analysis of 22 studies found a weak link between media consumption and teen sexual behavior, with parents playing a greater role in shaping moral values. The study suggests that parents should be encouraged to discuss sex with their children, while media may have limited influence on actual behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychiatric Quarterly·DateJun 30, 2016

Electron scavenging to mimic radiation damage

A new study uses electron scavenging to mimic radiation damage in a material called trifluoroacetamide (TFAA), triggering selective reactions and creating specific negative ions. The findings provide insights into the effects of low-energy electrons on biological tissues, potentially leading to better protection methods.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJun 30, 2016

Surprising qualities of insulator ring surfaces

Researchers have discovered that ring-shaped topological insulators display characteristics similar to those in spherical materials. The study reveals a zero-energy state on the surface of ring-shaped insulators and a coupling between charge carriers and curvature, leading to gauge fields and unique electron spin behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 29, 2016

Gamble on your opponent's gaze if you want to win

Researchers found that players with high-value hands glance right, while those with low-value hands glance left. This suggests that gaze patterns can be used to infer hand value, potentially helping blackjack players make better decisions.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateJun 21, 2016

Versatile method yields synthetic biology building blocks

Researchers have developed a high-throughput method for creating stable vesicles of controlled size using microfluidics. The approach works for both liposomes and polymersomes, enabling applications in synthetic biology such as encapsulation of biological agents and creation of artificial cell membranes.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJun 21, 2016

Sweden's 100 percent carbon-free emissions challenge

A Swedish study investigates the feasibility of replacing nuclear power with wind power in Sweden's energy mix. The authors conclude that a backup system based on fossil fuels would be required to maintain constant emissions, leading to doubled CO2 levels.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateJun 21, 2016