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New finding helps understand feeding ecology of Pleistocene proboscideans

A recent study using cutting-edge 3D dental microwear texture analysis reveals that Sinomastodon and Stegodon were obligate browsers of foliages, while Elephas had a broader diet of grasses and trees. This complex process suggests that biotic factors played a more substantial role in Pleistocene faunal turnovers than previously thought.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalQuaternary International·DateAug 3, 2016

Rice wins interdisciplinary 'big data' grant

The new research training group will develop scientists with combined education in statistics and computer science to address complex data science challenges. The three-year program aims to integrate students from various disciplines, including machine learning, into a collaborative environment.

Analyzing the psyche of risky drivers

A study from McGill University found that repeat drunk drivers and speeding offenders have unique emotional and behavioral profiles, making prevention strategies more effective when tailored to their characteristics. The research suggests that high-risk drivers respond better to targeted interventions addressing their specific traits.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 28, 2016

Medicaid expansion significantly boosts insurance coverage among low-income adults

Researchers found significant increases in health insurance coverage, quality of coverage, and diagnoses for chronic health conditions among low-income adults in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and residents in states with ACA Medicaid expansions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 18, 2016

'Lifespan machine' probes cause of aging

A study published in Nature suggests that aging does not have a single molecular cause but is rather a systemic process. Researchers found a statistical regularity in how genetic and environmental factors affect the life span of Caenorhabditis elegans worms, revealing an unexpected uniformity among life span distributions.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 2016

A statistical study of first-year college rape

A statistical study of first-year college rape found that 18.6% of freshmen women experienced completed or attempted rape, with a significant increase in risk among women who had previously been victimized. The study emphasizes the need for colleges to develop effective prevention and counseling programs.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMay 20, 2015

Game intelligence can be learned

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a mathematical theory on game intelligence in team sports. They studied former NHL player Nicklas Lidström's moves during games and found that he used principles such as minimizing the opponents' best alternative to gain an edge.

The Lancet: New study reveals 40 million deaths a year go unrecorded

A new study by The Lancet reveals that two-thirds of global deaths and one-third of births go unreported. This lack of data hampers informed policy-making and decision-making, leading to lost opportunities to improve population health. Mobile phone data collection and technology advances are proposed as solutions to crack the problem.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 11, 2015

Making sense through order

A study by Ting Qian and Richard Aslin shows that our brains are wired to detect patterns in data, even if they don't lead to correct conclusions. This tendency is built into cognitive processes, providing information on possibilities that might not have been considered otherwise.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 15, 2014

The Lancet Psychiatry: reclassification of PTSD diagnosis potentially excludes soldiers diagnosed under previous criteria

A new study found that the reclassification of PTSD diagnosis in DSM-5 potentially excludes soldiers who were previously diagnosed under previous criteria. The authors surveyed 1822 US soldiers and found that just under a third were excluded when using DSM-5 criteria, highlighting concerns for treatment and benefits.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateAug 13, 2014