Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Springer


Can metals remember their shape at nanoscale, too?

Physicists from the University of Constance used computer simulations to study shape memory materials down to the nanoscale. They found that the material's atomic-scale crystal structure shifted as the temperature increased, triggering a structural phase transition.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateNov 8, 2011

Benefits of working from home depends on family demands

A study by Professor Timothy Golden found that individuals who juggle conflicting demands between their work and home lives experience more work exhaustion. However, those with lower levels of conflict benefit from teleworking during traditional or non-traditional work hours, leading to reduced exhaustion.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·DateNov 8, 2011

Not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 clones!

Researchers have developed a theory for a quantum cloning machine that can produce four approximate copies of an initial quantum state, overcoming previous limitations to two or three copies. This advancement has significant implications for message encryption systems and analyzing security using shared secret quantum keys.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateNov 4, 2011

How biological capsules respond under stress

Researchers developed a new statistical method to assess the bending elasticity of biological membranes, improving accuracy by up to 80%. The method uses Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and has potential applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 28, 2011

Hard times during adolescence point to health problems later in life

A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that experiencing social stressors during adolescence and young adulthood can lead to increased disease risk factors in middle age. The researchers analyzed data from 822 participants and discovered a significant link between early adversity and allostatic load, a measure of phys...

SourceSpringer·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateOct 27, 2011

Hospital patients suffer in shift shuffle

Inadequate handovers during patient care shifts lead to decreased continuity of care and higher risk of adverse events. Effective strategies, such as prioritizing acutely ill patients and minimizing discussion on straightforward cases, can improve the quality of sign-out processes.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2011

What makes tires grip the road on a rainy day?

Researchers from Italy and Germany created a model to predict friction on rough surfaces in wet conditions, shedding light on the flow of liquid at contact interfaces. The study confirms experimental findings and offers potential applications for creating microstructured tyres with improved grip in rainy weather.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 19, 2011

Time on your hands -- good or bad?

A balanced amount of spare time is crucial for happiness in a consumer society. Materialistic teenagers with compulsive buying issues need just the right amount of leisure time to feel happier. Moderate time affluence alleviates negative side effects of material values and compulsive buying on adolescent happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateOct 19, 2011

The next stage of heart function testing

A new technique measures myocardial perfusion reserve and volume reserve to predict severe stenosis in coronary arteries. This method detects 50% or greater narrowing with excellent sensitivity, enabling timely intervention for high-risk patients.

SourceSpringer·JournalEuropean Radiology·DateOct 10, 2011

Unlocking jams in fluid materials

Researchers developed a theoretical model to understand how to best avoid jamming of soft matter, which can be applied in food and cosmetics production. The model takes into account common properties between three classes of materials: soft matter, metallic liquids, and granular materials.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 5, 2011

Quantum teleportation analysed by mathematical separation tool

Researchers from the University of Vienna have proven that the entanglement or separability of a quantum state depends on the perspective used to assess its status. By using mathematical density matrices, they showed how different factorisations can lead to entanglement or separability in complex physical systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateSep 27, 2011

Link between racial discrimination and stress described in new study

Researchers found that African Americans experiencing racial discrimination had higher levels of oxidative stress, a potential pathway for cardiovascular and other age-related disease risks. The study suggests that psychological stress from racial discrimination may contribute to racial health disparities.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine·DateSep 14, 2011

Does race dictate quality of care?

A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research found that African American patients are less likely to be admitted to high-volume hospitals for total knee replacement surgery, receiving instead lower-quality care. This racial disparity affects access to high-quality arthroplasty care.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateSep 13, 2011

A deep male voice helps women remember

A study by David Smith and colleagues found that women's memory is sensitive to male voice pitch, a cue important for mate choice. Women preferred low pitch male voices and remembered objects more accurately when introduced by deep male voices.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateSep 12, 2011

Songs about sex – how they affect kids

Researchers analyzed Billboard Hot 100 song lyrics from 1959 to 2009, finding a significant increase in sexually explicit references over time. The study suggests degrading music can negatively impact teens' self-worth and lead to poor body image, depression, and substance abuse.

SourceSpringer·JournalSexuality & Culture·DateSep 6, 2011

Suicide methods differ between men and women

Research finds that women are less likely than men to use suicide methods that disfigure the face or head. Men are nearly twice as likely as women to have used such methods, suggesting a potential gap in understanding and prevention strategies for gender-specific risk factors.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateAug 30, 2011

Getting back from a trip 'ahead of time'

A new study by Niels van de Ven and colleagues found that people tend to overestimate the length of their outward journey, making the return journey feel shorter. The researchers believe this is due to prior expectations rather than familiarity with the route.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateAug 25, 2011

Sexist men and women -- made for each other

A new study by Jeffrey Hall and Melanie Canterberry suggests that women with negative attitudes towards their own gender are more likely to prefer men who adopt similar attitudes. Women who open to casual sex also tend to respond to aggressive courtship strategies.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateAug 23, 2011

Embryo development obeys the laws of hydrodynamics

A study published in the European Physical Journal B demonstrates that embryo development follows hydrodynamic principles, where cells flow like a fluid, resulting in the formation of the head. This challenges previous theories suggesting chemical gradients drive cell movement, providing new insights for regenerative medicine.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateAug 18, 2011

Cells die so defensive organs can live

New study reveals that programmed cell death is involved in mandibular regression in termites. During termite development, body form and structure change, including the formation of defensive organs like the nasus and regressed mouth parts.

Heavy metal: Titanium implant safety under scrutiny

Researchers developed a highly sensitive method to determine titanium levels in human blood, establishing a baseline for natural levels and measuring levels in patients with surgical implants. The study found significantly higher titanium concentrations in patients with implants, shedding light on the potential harmful biological effects.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·DateJul 25, 2011

Painful legacy of teen sports

Research reveals abnormal femur development in young athletes due to high-intensity sports, leading to osteoarthritis and hip deformity. Athletes are ten times more likely to experience impaired hip function than non-athletes.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 19, 2011

Talking about faith increases hospital patients' overall satisfaction

A new study found that hospital patients who had conversations about religion and spirituality with their healthcare team were the most satisfied with their overall care. Despite 20% of patients wanting these discussions but not having them, having a conversation led to higher patient satisfaction rates.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 13, 2011

Can gulls smell out a good partner?

A recent study suggests that black-legged kittiwakes use body odor to determine genetic compatibility in potential partners. The research found distinct signatures of individual and sex-specific odors, which may play a role in mate choice.

Evolution of sport performances follows a physiological law

Research by Berthelot and Len found that athlete performance follows an exponential growth curve to a peak before declining irreversibly between the ages of 20 and 30. This pattern is also observed in other physiological parameters such as lung function and cognitive skills, suggesting a universal law governing human capability evolution.

SourceSpringer·JournalAGE·DateJul 1, 2011

Men play post-op catch-up

Women show greater improvements in function and reduced pain than men at three and six months post-surgery. After a year, men recover as well as women, indicating that gender-specific knee implants may not be necessary.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJun 29, 2011

Early French had a taste for beer

A new study reveals archaeobotanical evidence of beer brewing in Mediterranean France, dating back to the 5th century BC. The findings suggest that the French had an early passion for beer brewing, alongside regular wine making.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateJun 14, 2011

Canine telepathy?

Researchers investigated how dogs respond to human attention, finding that both domestic dogs and wolves can beg for food based on a human's attentiveness. Dogs' ability to follow human actions stems from their willingness to accept humans as social companions and conditioning to follow human movements.

SourceSpringer·JournalLearning & Behavior·DateJun 9, 2011

The faithless side of suicide bombing

A new study argues that female suicide bombing is a military tactic used by terrorist groups to justify acts that deviate from mainstream Islam. The study's findings suggest that the use of female suicide bombers is not based on Islamic doctrine, but rather on strategic and military utility.

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateJun 6, 2011

Nuclear radiation affects baby gender

A new study by Hagen Scherb and Kristina Voigt found a significant gender gap in human populations exposed to nuclear radiation, with increases in male births relative to female births. The study reveals a long-term, dose-dependent impact of radiation exposure on human sex odds.

SourceSpringer·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·DateMay 26, 2011

Springer launches new open access journal with Korean research society

The new journal will be fully sponsored by the Korea-based Future Technology Research Association International (FTRA) and cover multifaceted aspects of human-centric computing technology and information sciences. All research results will be freely available online under the Creative Commons Attribution license.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman-centric Computing and Information Sciences·DateMay 24, 2011

The odds are against ESP

A new study by Rouder and Morey applies a statistical method to Dr. Bem's ESP experiments, finding modest evidence that doesn't support claims of extra-sensory perception. The researchers conclude that the odds are against ESP existing, given the current scientific knowledge.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMay 18, 2011

Clubbers can smell a good nightspot

A new study suggests that carefully selected fragrances can positively influence nightclub goers' experience, leading to increased dancing activity, improved music ratings, and enhanced mood. The introduction of pleasant ambient scents may also lead to improved quality of the environment and greater spending in nightclubs.

SourceSpringer·JournalChemosensory Perception·DateMay 17, 2011

Using war games to treat post-traumatic stress disorder

A new virtual reality application delivers exposure therapy for PTSD by immersing soldiers in simulated trauma-relevant environments. The system has shown encouraging clinical results, with 80% of patients experiencing clinically meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings·DateMay 16, 2011

Sexy clothes: Too much, too young

A significant proportion of young girls' clothing available online in the US is 'sexy' or sexualizing, according to a new study. The study found that 69% of clothing items studied had only childlike characteristics, while 25% had both sexualized and childlike features.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateMay 9, 2011

New SpringerOpen journal from the Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Kunming Institute of Botany, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Springer are launching a new fully sponsored open access journal called Natural Products and Bioprospecting. This journal aims to serve as an international forum for essential research on natural products and their applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalNatural Products and Bioprospecting·DateMay 9, 2011