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Doing good deeds helps socially anxious people relax

A study published in Motivation and Emotion found that performing acts of kindness can help socially anxious individuals reduce their desire to avoid social situations. This intervention showed a greater reduction in patients' avoidance goals compared to those only exposed to social interactions without engaging in good deeds.

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateJul 1, 2015

To shed weight, go vegan

A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials found that vegetarian diets lead to significant weight loss, with vegan diets showing the greatest results, and benefits attributed to high intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 30, 2015

Food for thought: Use more forages in livestock farming

Researchers argue that increasing the use of forages to feed livestock can enhance food security and improve productive capacity in poor producers. They suggest introducing new forage varieties and animal management practices to specific farming areas, as well as coordinated efforts by farmers, extension workers, and scientists.

SourceSpringer·JournalAMBIO·DateJun 29, 2015

Chimps are sensitive to what is right and wrong

A study found that chimpanzees are sensitive to behaviors towards infants and react emotionally to violations of social norms within their own group. They show a 'bystander effect' when an infant from another group is harmed, but not otherwise.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateJun 25, 2015

Oh, to have Dr. Facebook on call!

A national survey found that patients are interested in using email and Facebook to manage their health, but few actually do so. Only 7% of respondents use their physicians' websites to access their own health information, highlighting a disconnect between patient interest and current institutional practices.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 24, 2015

Lower heart rate variability turns women off

A new study published in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback found a significant link between lower heart rate variability and sexual dysfunction in women. Women with below-average heart rate variability were more likely to report sexual arousal problems and overall sexual difficulties.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback·DateJun 17, 2015

Pedophiles more likely to have physical irregularities

Research suggests pedophiles are more likely to have minor physical anomalies in the face and head, developing during the prenatal period. The study found a higher prevalence of these deviations among left-handed men, who may be more susceptible to disruptive events during fetal development.

SourceSpringer·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateJun 10, 2015

Fond memories make fragrances a favorite

A study published in Springer's Chemosensory Perception journal found that fragrance preferences are driven by personal emotional memories. The researchers discovered that odor-evoked memories elicit potent emotional responses, influencing customers' likes and ratings.

SourceSpringer·JournalChemosensory Perception·DateJun 3, 2015

Weight-loss surgery puts spark back into relationships

Bariatric surgery not only benefits patients' health but also strengthens their relationships with partners, according to a new study. Couples reported improved intimacy, better conflict resolution, and enhanced sexual relationships after one partner underwent weight loss surgery.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateJun 2, 2015

The costs of conflict: Amputees and the Afghan war

A new study predicts that British military amputees will require medical care and rehabilitation for more than 25 years, with estimated costs of up to £288 million over 40 years. The study suggests that long-term financial commitment is necessary to provide sustained support and resources.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJun 1, 2015

Life's a yawn for budgie buddies

Contagious yawning has been observed in budgies, a bird species for the first time, corroborating previous observations in social parrots. In experiments, yawns occurred more frequently when birds could see each other or viewed video clips of another bird yawning.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateMay 28, 2015

Friendships start better with a smile

A study led by Belinda Campos found that people are highly attuned to others' positive emotions and can form new social bonds based on these displays. Awareness of others' positive emotions can provide important relationship information, helping individuals feel secure in their relationships and resolve conflicts.

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateMay 26, 2015

Odds are that chronic gamblers are often also depressed

A longitudinal study found that chronic gamblers are more likely to experience depressive problems, with 73% of those with significant gambling issues also suffering from depression. Early prevention programs targeting impulsive individuals and poor relationships with friends may help prevent these issues.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Gambling Studies·DateMay 21, 2015

Mountain gorilla mamas sidestep having inbred offspring

In a study of mountain gorillas, researchers found that females avoid mating with their fathers to curb inbreeding. On average, seven out of ten offspring in groups with multiple males are sired by the dominant male, but none of his daughters' offspring

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMay 20, 2015

Organic nanoparticles, more lethal to tumors

Researchers have found that carbon-based nanoparticles can produce low-energy electrons through plasmon excitation, making them more lethal to tumors and potentially inducing focused destruction of cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel types of sensitizers for proton radiotherapy.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMay 18, 2015

Electricity generating nano-wizards

Scientists have made a significant discovery in thermoelectric effects, which are crucial for nanoscale energy harvesting. Using quantum dots, researchers found that the actual performance of systems is less optimistic than predicted calculations, highlighting the importance of optimizing structures at the nanoscale.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 18, 2015

A helping paw for a sinking rat

Researchers found that rats learn to help a distressed cagemate gain access to safety in exchange for rewards, indicating empathy-like feelings. Those with previous water experiences were quicker to learn this skill.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateMay 12, 2015

Noise produces volcanic seismicity, akin to a drumbeat

Researchers found that external noises can induce volcanic activity by inducing stick-slip behavior, causing large-amplitude oscillations and high seismicity. The study used experimental data from Mount St. Helen's eruption to demonstrate the link between noise intensity and drumbeat-type plug movement.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 11, 2015

Space lab to elucidate how liquid cocktails mix

Experimental data from zero-gravity experiments on the International Space Station provides insights into thermodiffusion effects in ternary liquid mixtures. The results, published in the European Physical Journal E, offer a benchmark for future theoretical and numerical models.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 11, 2015

First beef with the goodness of fish

Researchers have successfully introduced a gene into foetal cells from Luxi Yellow cattle to increase the levels of beneficial omega-3 oils in beef. The study found that introducing the fat1 gene resulted in over five times higher levels of these fatty acids.

SourceSpringer·JournalBiotechnology Letters·DateMay 11, 2015

Stan Yavno receives Arnold Berliner Award 2015

Stan Yavno's research on non-native pumpkinseed sunfish found high levels of morphological plasticity, facilitating their ecological adaptations in new areas. This finding is significant as it suggests that invasive species can outcompete native populations through phenotypic plasticity.

Insight into the Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly mechanism

Researchers solved the structure of Ebola virus nucleoprotein core domain to 1.8 Å resolution, revealing RNA binding groove similarities with other viral NPs. The findings provide valuable insights into EBOV genome assembly and transcription mechanism, as well as potential antiviral therapies targeting RNP formation.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateMay 6, 2015

Gambling is all an illusion

Research found habitual gamblers exhibit probability matching behavior and perceive illusory patterns in random sequences. Gamblers are also less able to resist impulses, leading to impulsive betting decisions.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Gambling Studies·DateApr 30, 2015

Big Data reveals classical music creation secrets

A study analyzing classical music networks reveals the evolution of cultural styles and predictions for the recording market. The research, published in EPJ Data Science, uses modern data techniques to understand how composers collaborate and influence each other.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateApr 30, 2015

Soldier beetle went a-courtin'

A study by Denson McLain found that larger male soldier beetles exhibit a size-related preference for large females, resulting in stronger assortative mating. This preference increases their likelihood of encountering and mating with more fecund females.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 29, 2015

Keep moving, studies advise cancer survivors

Studies published in Journal of Cancer Survivorship found that walking three hours a week can improve hormone functioning and vitality in prostate cancer survivors. Regular physical activity also reduces symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer survivors, improving quality of life.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateApr 16, 2015

Novel plasma diagnostics method

Researchers have created a novel plasma diagnostics method by studying the pressure change at the inner walls of energy-saving light bulbs. The technique measures the force exerted on a solid surface by plasma, providing insights into processes that conventional probes can't detect.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 16, 2015

A beggars banquet -- life in a shared nest

Researchers found that crow chicks raised alongside a cuckoo chick begged less intensely than those in nests without any unrelated broods present. Despite this, the young crows ultimately grew bigger than the cuckoos. The study suggests that sharing the nest with a cuckoo may be advantageous for crow chicks.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 15, 2015

Actual dating requires calibration down to the last ion

Researchers developed a new calibration technique for thermoluminescence dating, improving accuracy to within 1% using oxygen and lithium ions. The method employs a pulsed ion beam and a combination of detectors to replicate natural radiation exposure.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateApr 15, 2015

Drug regulations tied to fewer prescriptions of effective gout drug

A retrospective cohort study of nearly 217,000 patients with gout found that prescription rates for effective gout treatment decreased after the FDA increased prices. The study also showed significant increases in monthly total prescription bills, highlighting the negative impact of regulatory actions on access to affordable medications.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 9, 2015

Are plants passive smokers?

Researchers found that plants like peppermint take up high concentrations of nicotine from cigarette smoke and contaminated soils. This discovery may explain the presence of high levels of nicotine in spices, herbal teas, and medicinal plants.

SourceSpringer·JournalAgronomy for Sustainable Development·DateApr 8, 2015

Rodeo in liquid crystal

Researchers successfully created and controlled defect pairs in liquid crystals using optical tweezers. This achievement opens the door to controlling light flow using specific frequencies in liquid crystal photonic microdevices, with potential applications in photonics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 31, 2015

Flocks of starlings ride the wave to escape

Flocking behavior of European starlings is studied in a computational model called Star Display. Researchers found that agitation waves form when individuals repeat the fear reaction or escape maneuver of a close neighbor.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMar 26, 2015

Damselfly war games

Male damselflies employ various strategies to decide whether to fight, including assessing wing pigmentation and choosing non-contact aerial display fights. Stronger males use aggressive tactics like chasing and biting to wear down weaker opponents.

The new frontier in plasma medicine

Researchers developed new plasma models applicable to medicine using data on oxygen ion transport and interaction with water molecules. These models account for how discharges are created in water vapour, enabling the development of novel therapeutic treatments for wound healing and dermatology.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 18, 2015

New remote control for molecular motors

Physicists remotely control magnetic molecules spinning like tops using circularly polarised magnetic field changes. Theoretical findings by Iosif Davidovich Tokman and Vera Il'nichna Pozdnyakova may lead to designing rotating magnetic molecule rotors for powering molecular motors.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMar 16, 2015