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Surgery for pulmonary embolism may prevent

A new analysis of cases conducted in Northwell Health found that a surgical procedure may be more successful in preventing death than current drug therapies. The study revealed a mortality rate of 4.2% for patients who underwent surgery, compared to higher rates for those who did not.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalTexas Heart Institute Journal·DateFeb 10, 2015

When aid brings conflict, not relief

Research by University of Illinois economist Ben Crost found that aid to villages in the Philippines increased violence. The villages that qualified for aid saw a significant increase in violence, while those that didn't participate experienced less violence. This suggests that aid can inadvertently make communities vulnerable to attacks.

Computers using digital footprints are better judge of personality than friends and family

A new study reveals that computers can make accurate judgments about personalities better than most people, using digital signals like Facebook Likes. The researchers analyzed data from over 86,000 volunteers and found that computers could predict personality traits with greater accuracy than human judges, except for spouses.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 12, 2015

Mediterranean diet linked to longer life

A Mediterranean diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil has been associated with longer telomeres, a biomarker of slower aging. The study found that adherence to the diet was significantly linked to longer telomeres, corresponding to 1.5 years of telomere ageing.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 2, 2014

People's movement perturbed during, but similar after Hurricane Sandy

A study analyzing Twitter data from over 700,000 tweets found that New Yorkers resumed normal mobility less than 24 hours after Hurricane Sandy. The researchers observed similar geographical and statistical distributions of locations before and after the hurricane, suggesting resilience in human movement during the disaster.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 19, 2014

Climate change in drylands

Research reveals that annual plant growth in drylands is severely affected by droughts, but the ability to recover varies depending on the type of ecosystem and grazing regime. The study found that perennial plants dominate areas with higher drought resistance and lower recovery potential.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateNov 19, 2014

New leopard frog species discovered in New York

A new species of leopard frog, Rana kauffeldi, has been identified in the New York City metropolitan area through a combination of acoustic and genetic data. The species is found in open-canopied wetlands with upland patches and its range extends from central Connecticut to northeastern North Carolina.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 29, 2014

University of Delaware study connects penguin chick weights to local weather conditions

A recent University of Delaware study has found that Adélie penguin chick weights are most closely linked to local weather conditions, including high winds and precipitation. The researchers discovered a significant impact on chick weight variations over time, with even small changes in weather causing notable differences in chick mass.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateOct 27, 2014

Extinct giant kangaroos may have been hop-less

New research suggests that extinct giant kangaroos likely walked instead of hopped, with stiff backs and strong joints supporting their body posture. The study analyzed anatomical differences in limb bones compared to other kangaroo species.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 15, 2014

Rate of diabetes in US may be leveling off

The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the US population has plateaued for adults between 2008 and 2012, with a slight decrease in incidence. However, certain subgroups continue to experience an increase in diabetes rates, exacerbating existing racial and socioeconomic disparities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 23, 2014

Waistlines of US adults continue to increase

The prevalence of abdominal obesity and average waist circumference increased significantly among US adults between 1999-2012. The overall age-adjusted average waist circumference rose by 1.2 inches in men and 1.5 inches in women, with significant increases seen across different racial groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 16, 2014

Testing the fossil record

Researchers have re-examined the British fossil record over 550 million years and found that only the area of preserved rock drives biodiversity, casting doubt on previous methods used to correct for bias in the fossil record.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2014

How good is the fossil record?

A study from the University of Bristol and Bergen found that geological factors like rock area drive biodiversity, rather than measures like fossil collections or formations. This discovery alters our understanding of life's history through time.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2014