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Balancing renewable energy costs

A French scientist has developed an open source simulation method to calculate the actual cost of relying on a combination of electricity sources. The study found that an optimal mix contains a large amount of nuclear power and a small amount of fluctuating energies like wind and solar.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateOct 13, 2014

Back off: Female chimps stressed out by competing suitors

A study of wild East African chimpanzees found that females with high levels of male competition experience lower C-peptide levels, indicating energy deficit and potential weight loss. This can negatively affect their reproductive ability and fertility rates.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 7, 2014

Atmospheric chemistry hinges on better physics model

A new theoretical physics model reveals improved calculations of nitrous oxide photoabsorption, shedding light on its role in stratospheric ozone destruction. This breakthrough improves the accuracy of absorption cross sections and predicts major dissociation pathways.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateOct 6, 2014

Fat chats: The good, the bad and the ugly comments

A study analyzing over 1.37 million social media posts found pervasive negative stereotypes and jokes about weight, as well as instances of support and advice. Blogs and forums offered a safe space for online discussions about healthy eating and weight management.

SourceSpringer·JournalTranslational Behavioral Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014

Americans undergo colonoscopies too often, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that healthy Americans who undergo colonoscopies do so too frequently, with many receiving repeat screenings long before they should. The study suggests that endoscopists should adhere to national guidelines more closely.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 30, 2014

Dolphins are attracted to magnets

A study by French researchers has found that dolphins are able to discriminate between objects based on their magnetic properties, indicating a magenetic sense. The findings provide new evidence for magnetoreception in cetaceans and suggest they may use this ability to navigate themselves.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateSep 29, 2014

Taking advantage of graphene defects

Researchers discovered graphene's ability to rectify electric current using artificial triangular holes, offering a new approach for security screening detectors. The study provides an analytical framework for estimating the ratchet effect, which could lead to terahertz radiation detection.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 24, 2014

Nano-pea pod model widens electronics applications

Researchers have developed a new theoretical model that explains how nanostructures like the nano-pea pod can exhibit localized electrons. The findings reveal that localised electrons' appearance is strongly dependent on the variation of the length of the connecting wires in the bent chain.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 4, 2014

Enjoying the possibility of defeat

A study by Sami Abuhamdeh and colleagues found that players' enjoyment of games is linked to suspense and uncertainty, not just winning. Participants preferred playing games with close margins over those with predictable outcomes. This suggests that games with unpredictable outcomes can be more engaging and enjoyable for some players.

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateSep 3, 2014

Inter-dependent networks stress test

Interdependent networks, such as energy production systems, are more vulnerable to cascading failures due to one-directional connections. The study found that redundancy in connections can impact robustness, with less reliable systems operating near critical thresholds.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateAug 28, 2014

Water window imaging opportunity

Researchers develop theoretical framework to generate coherent radiations in the water window range, enabling high-contrast imaging of biological samples. The study extends previous work on hydrogen and applies it to argon atoms, paving the way for improved spectroscopy techniques.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateAug 21, 2014

Blood pressure medication does not cause more falls

A comprehensive study in patients with type 2 diabetes found no evidence that blood pressure medication increases the risk of falling and breaking bones. In fact, results showed possible trends towards fewer fractures in intensive treatment groups.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 18, 2014

Hoopoes' eggs show their true colors

Researchers found that hoopoes' eggs change from bluish-grey to greenish-brown when exposed to preen gland secretion, which contains antimicrobial properties. This color change may serve as a signal about the mother bird's breeding quality.

Springer launches ChemTexts

ChemTexts offers contemporary knowledge at a high didactic level for students and lecturers, with peer-reviewed texts and supplementary materials like videos and animated presentations.

Training schemes help jobless men feel better about themselves

UK government's active labor market programs increase life satisfaction, happiness, and feelings of life worth among the unemployed, particularly men. These work-oriented programs replicate the paid work environment through features like time structure, social activity, and routine, leading to greater psychosocial resilience.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateAug 5, 2014

Rituals can help older people remember to take their asthma meds

A study found that storing medication in the bathroom and incorporating it into daily routines can improve adherence to prescribed inhalers. The research identified six strategies that aid elderly asthmatics in managing their condition, providing clinicians and care coaches with useful ideas to support patients.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 5, 2014

Still no 'justice for all' for female athletes

A study review by María José Martínez-Patiño and others highlights the need for refined policies to protect female athletes from media attention and sex tests. The International Olympic Committee's hyperandrogenism policy is being called into question, with experts advocating for greater equity and inclusivity in sports.

SourceSpringer·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateAug 4, 2014

Plastic surgeons or nurses: Who are the better injectors?

A recent study led by American scientists found that plastic surgeons believe they are the most skilled at performing aesthetic injections. However, nurses with specialized training in this area may be considered more capable of administering vaccines. The study highlights the importance of training requirements and guidelines for inje...

SourceSpringer·JournalAesthetic Plastic Surgery·DateAug 1, 2014

Older adults are at risk of financial abuse

A study of over 4,100 New York State residents aged 60+ found that 2.7% were financially exploited in the past year, with 78% having their money or property stolen. Family members, particularly adult children, are the most common perpetrators.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 30, 2014

Unleashing the power of quantum dot triplets

Researchers have discovered a way to control quantum dot triplets using electrical impulses, which could lead to faster quantum computers. The study shows that changing the coupling of three coherently coupled quantum dots can induce a phase transition between entangled and disentangled electron states.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 24, 2014

Refined biological evolution model

A new study by Petri Kärenlampi refines the biological evolution model by incorporating species interactions and varying degrees of symmetry. The results show that anti-symmetric interactions lead to large, stable ecosystems, while symmetric systems remain small.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 21, 2014

Novel mechanism for invasion of EV71 virus demonstrated

A new study determines glycosylation and pH-dependent conformational changes of virus receptor SCARB2 as crucial for EV71 attachment and entry. Researchers found that SCARB2 opens a lipid-transfer tunnel to trigger viral uncoating at acidic conditions, releasing the viral genome into host cells.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateJul 18, 2014

Improving tumor radiation therapy: When basic ions break DNA down

Scientists have discovered new fragmentation pathways that occur universally when DNA strands are exposed to metal ions, leading to the creation of charged intermediates. This finding could contribute to optimizing cancerous tumour therapy by improving understanding of how radiation interacts with complex DNA structures.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 16, 2014

Ultra-cold atom transport made simple

Researchers developed a filtering device for ultra-cold neutral atoms based on tunnelling, enabling efficient and robust transport. The technique can be applied to various high-precision applications like quantum metrology and quantum simulation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 7, 2014

Deeper insights into protein folding

Scientists develop a new statistical mechanics model to explain protein folding and unfolding in an aqueous environment. The study confirms the validity of their calculations using experimental measurements for two proteins, providing insights into high-energy ions therapy on biological cells.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJun 26, 2014

Lab monitoring tests not always ordered per recommendations

A study found that lab monitoring tests are not always ordered as recommended, with factors such as specialist status, age, and general health influencing the use of these tests. The research suggests that interventions to improve laboratory monitoring should focus on areas with the greatest potential for improvement.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 26, 2014

Ti-V alloys' superconductivity: Inherent, not accidental

Physicists from India reveal Ti-V alloys' superconductivity is influenced by local magnetic fluctuations and spin fluctuations. The competition between these fluctuations and electron-phonon interaction determines the superconducting temperature threshold, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 23, 2014

Springer launches comprehensive open access journal

The new journal, Research in the Mathematical Sciences, covers applied math, pure math, and theoretical computer science. It aims to publish high-quality original articles and seminal papers on emerging areas of mathematical research.

SourceSpringer·JournalResearch in the Mathematical Sciences·DateJun 18, 2014

Male dwarf spiders make sure offspring is their own

Male dwarf spiders use mating plugs made of a liquid material that hardens over time to block access to the female's sperm storage organ. Small plugs are less effective than large ones, but both size and age play important roles in their efficacy.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJun 10, 2014

Being Sardinian puts a smile on the face of the elderly

A new study reveals that Sardinians' active lifestyle, social connections, and access to healthcare contribute to lower levels of depression among the elderly. In contrast, residents from Northern Italy face higher rates of depression due to factors like limited social support and high-stress lifestyles.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateMay 22, 2014

Shared custody is becoming the norm

A significant shift is observed in US custody patterns with a dramatic decline in mother-sole custody cases over the past two decades. Shared custody has become more prevalent, particularly among higher-income families, while the gender and age of children involved do not significantly impact custody decisions.

SourceSpringer·JournalDemography·DateMay 21, 2014

Stability lost as supernovae explode

A new model of supernovae represented as dynamical systems subject to a loss of stability sheds light on the phenomenon. This approach could be used to predict natural catastrophes before they happen.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 15, 2014

Distance influences accuracy of eyewitness IDs

Research found that eyewitness accuracy decreases by 0.55% per yard in correct identifications, while false alarms increase by 0.44% per yard. The study's findings have implications for the trustworthiness of eyewitness accounts used in criminal cases.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMay 13, 2014

Nanoscale heat flow predictions

Researchers developed a predictive theoretical model for heat flux in novel nanomaterials using atom-scale calculations. This could help optimize thermal budget of nanoelectronic devices and produce energy through thermoelectric effects.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 7, 2014

Spotting a famous face in the crowd

A study by Volker Thoma found that humans can only process a few faces at a time, whether they are familiar or not. This limits our ability to recognize faces in crowded spaces. The study used famous faces like Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger to test this theory.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMay 5, 2014