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New study shows impact of movies on dog breed popularity

A new study from the University of Bristol and partners found that movies featuring dogs can increase breed popularity by up to 10 years, with the strongest influence in the early twentieth century. The research analyzed data from the American Kennel Club and found a correlation between movie viewership and breed registration trends.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 10, 2014

First Nations people less likely to receive coronary angiography after heart attack

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that First Nations people are less likely to receive guideline-recommended coronary angiography after a heart attack. This disparity results in poorer long-term survival rates for this population, highlighting the need for improved access to cardiovascular care.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 20, 2014

Protein Data Bank: 100,000 structures

The Protein Data Bank has surpassed 100,000 entries, providing a wealth of structural data for researchers to understand biological mechanisms and discover new medicines. The archive's growth is driven by the efforts of structural biologists worldwide, who continue to deposit new structures and improve the resource.

Students on field course bag new spider species

A team of biology students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Naturalis Biodiversity Center discovered a new spider species during their Tropical Biodiversity field course in Malaysian Borneo. The students created a makeshift taxonomy lab, wrote a joint publication, and sent it to a major taxonomic journal for review.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateMar 27, 2014

Data are lost to science at 'astonishing rate'

A recent study found that most scientific data is inaccessible after just 20 years, with over 80% of publicly funded research data lost forever. Researchers are calling for journals to require authors to share their data on public archives before publication.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 19, 2013

Should your surname carry a health warning?

Researchers found a significant link between the surname Brady and an increased risk of bradycardia, with patients named Brady more likely to require pacemakers compared to the general population. The study suggests that people may have a preference for careers connected to their name, influencing their health outcomes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 12, 2013

Early spatial reasoning predicts later creativity and innovation, especially in STEM fields

A new study found that early spatial reasoning skills at age 13 predict creative and innovative achievements, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) domains. This unique skill contributes to the development of new knowledge and innovation above traditional measures of mathematical and verbal ability.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 15, 2013

A privacy risk in your DNA

Researchers developed an algorithm that can identify last names using Y chromosome data, compromising individual privacy. The study highlights the risk of revealing personal information through genetic data, calling for better encryption techniques and legislation to protect participants' identities.

Local funding leads to big things in parrot genomics

The genome sequence of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot was successfully assembled using locally funded community efforts. The project showcases how accessible genomic technology has become, with a small institution in Puerto Rico achieving this feat without relying on large international genome centers.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateSep 28, 2012

Do women's voices really allow men to detect ovulation?

A new study published in PLOS ONE challenges the idea that women's voices contain cues for men to detect ovulation. The researchers found that the variation in women's vocal quality throughout the menstrual cycle does not provide reliable information about the timing of ovulation, making it a poor mating clue.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 21, 2011

Web experts ask scientists to use the Web to improve understanding, sharing of their data in science

Researchers Peter Fox and James Hendler outline a new vision for scientific data visualization, encouraging scientists to adopt web-based approaches. They highlight the advantages of interactive and dynamic visualizations, such as those found on the web, which can facilitate collaboration, reduce costs, and increase accessibility.

The quest for the modern day Methuselah

A global research team gathered over 600 supercentenarians, nearly 20 of whom lived beyond 115, and created the International Database on Longevity. The study reveals that many of these individuals avoided dementia until shortly before death, sparking interest in understanding the secrets behind their longevity.

The eScience revolution

The eScience revolution aims to hasten scientific discovery by providing a toolkit for scientists and educators to access and interpret vast amounts of data. Semantic Web technology enables computers to provide meaning to words, linking users to related information and facilitating collaboration between experts and non-experts.

Open source DNA

A new mathematical formula and software solution ensure the protection of individual identities in genetic research studies. This allows researchers to access valuable DNA information while maintaining privacy, potentially leading to groundbreaking medical discoveries.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 31, 2009

Why Obama's dog has curly hair

Researchers from the University of Utah and NIH identified three genes controlling seven major types of dog coat, including curly hair. The study used data from Portuguese water dogs to understand complex human diseases caused by multiple genes.

M.D.-Ph.D. graduates look more towards career in research

Recent M.D.-Ph.D. graduates are more likely to pursue research careers due to factors such as substantial career involvement in research and lower educational debt. Variables associated with a lower likelihood of pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D. program include female sex, race/ethnicity underrepresented in medicine, and planned training in emer...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 9, 2008