End-of-life care preferences of chinese adults vary based on whether they have children

(New York University) Chinese adults who have children prefer to receive end-of-life care from family members at home, while those who lost their only child prefer to be cared for in hospice or palliative care institutions, finds a new study led by an international team of researchers and published in the November issue of The Journal of Palliative Medicine. Income, property ownership, and support from friends also influenced individuals' end-of-life care preferences.

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New study to decode what makes people immune to influenza

(Human Vaccines Project) The key to lasting protection against influenza may be in your bones. The cells that naturally protect you against illness originate and live in your bone marrow -- and that is one spot where scientists are looking to understand the human immune system's response to influenza in a new study led by the Human Vaccines Project. The goal is to harness an understanding of the immune system to develop longer lasting protection against the flu.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2RuWaOJ

Dangerous blood pressure caused by specific signalling in the brain

(Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute ) Scientists at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute have found that high blood pressure caused by specific signalling from the brain promotes heart disease by altering stem cells with the bone marrow. The results, published in Haematologica demonstrate how an overactive sympathetic nervous system that causes elevated blood pressure can instruct bone marrow stem cells to produce more white blood cells that clog up blood vessels.

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Study buckles down on child car seat use in ride-share vehicles

(Virginia Tech) The average Uber or Lyft vehicle does not generally come equipped with a car seat, and only in certain cities is it an option to request one.

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Virtual program successful in linking adult protective services, geriatric specialists

(University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) In its first year, an innovative virtual program has substantially increased mistreated elderly Texans' access to elder mistreatment and geriatric experts with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

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Top O.R. and analytics professionals convene in Phoenix for 2018 INFORMS Annual Meeting

(Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) More then 5,900 of the world's leading operations research (O.R.) and analytics professionals will arrive in Phoenix this weekend to participate in the 2018 INFORMS Annual Meeting taking place November 4-7 at the Phoenix Convention Center.

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Empathetic machines favored by skeptics but might creep out believers

(Penn State) Most people would appreciate a chatbot that offers sympathetic or empathetic responses, according to a team of researchers, but they added that reaction may rely on how comfortable the person is with the idea of a feeling machine.

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Eggs evolved color and speckles only once — during the age of dinosaurs

Birds’ colorful eggs were inherited from their nonavian dinosaur ancestors.

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Insilico Medicine to present innovation analytics at SAPHEX 2018

(InSilico Medicine, Inc.) Insilico Medicine announces the keynote of Iraneus Ogu the director, Africa Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for Healthcare Initiative at at SAPHEX 2018. The Keynote by Iraneus Ogu will address the theme innovation analytics and the developments in the pharmaceutical sector, which have the potential to not only transform healthcare and help address most tropical healthcare challenges but could help transform the economic landscape in Africa.

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Stimulating the spinal cord helps 3 more paralyzed people walk

There’s more evidence that with targeted spinal cord stimulation, paralyzed people can move voluntarily — and even walk.

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PAPPA2: A genetic mystery

(Children's National Health System) While a PAPPA2 mutation is rare, endocrinologists, who understand its function and dysregulation can create solutions to support IGF-1 bioavailability, thereby supporting patterns of healthy growth and development in children. This research was presented at the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology in Athens and will be discussed at endocrinology conferences in 2019.

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Domestic violence is widely accepted in most developing countries, new study reveals

(University of Bristol) Societal acceptance of domestic violence against women is widespread in developing countries, with 36 per cent of people believing it is justified in certain situations.

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Muscle-building proteins hold clues to ALS, muscle degeneration

(University of Colorado at Boulder) Amyloid-like protein assemblies, long believed to be toxic and fuel diseases like ALS, have been found to play a key role in healthy muscle regeneration.

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Baby-naming trends reveal ongoing quest for individuality

(University of Edinburgh) Choosing a baby's name that is distinctive is becoming harder, research reveals. Greater media access, global communication and rising immigration have increased people's exposure to different names, but also ensures these become common more quickly.

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Cooling 'brains on fire' to treat Parkinson's

(University of Queensland) A promising new therapy to stop Parkinson's disease in its tracks has been developed at The University of Queensland. UQ Faculty of Medicine researcher Associate Professor Trent Woodruff said the team found that a small molecule, MCC950, stopped the development of Parkinson's in several animal models. The team hope to commence human clinical trials in 2020.

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Breakthrough neurotechnology for treating paralysis

(Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Three patients with chronic paraplegia were able to walk over ground thanks to precise electrical stimulation of their spinal cords via a wireless implant. In a double study published in Nature and Nature Neuroscience, Swiss scientists Grégoire Courtine (EPFL and CHUV/Unil) and Jocelyne Bloch (CHUV/Unil) show that, after a few months of training, the patients were able to control previously paralyzed leg muscles even in the absence of electrical stimulation.

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Three gas clouds nearly grazed the edge of the Milky Way’s black hole

Gas clumps cozy up to the Milky Way’s enormous black hole, new observations reveal.

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What happened in the past when the climate changed?

(University of California - San Diego) New research shows for the first time how the changing climate in Asia, from 5,000 to 1,000 years ago, transformed people's ability to produce food in particular places. The model enables the co-authors to get at the causes of some dramatic historic and cultural changes.

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Major corridor of Silk Road already home to high-mountain herders over 4,000 years ago

(Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) Using ancient proteins and DNA recovered from tiny pieces of animal bone, archaeologists at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History (MPI-SHH) and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography (IAET) at the Russian Academy of Sciences-Siberia have discovered evidence that domestic animals -- cattle, sheep, and goat -- made their way into the high mountain corridors of southern Kyrgyzstan more than four millennia ago, as published in a study in PLOS ONE.

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A new robot decides how and when to transform to get the job done

A bot made of smaller robotic pieces autonomously changes its shape to trundle across flat ground, squeeze into tight spaces or climb stairs.

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The appendix is implicated in Parkinson’s disease

Removal of the appendix reduced the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, an analysis of nearly 1.7 million health records in Sweden suggests.

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Children's hospitals form NIH-funded consortium to study novel causes of growth disorders

(Children's National Health System) A new NIH-funded pediatric endocrinology consortium, led by Children's National Health System, will use the electronic health records of four large pediatric health systems combined with DNA samples from dozens of children, with the goal of enabling endocrinologists to study clinical and genetic markers of severe growth disorders.

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Diagnosing and treating personality disorders needs a dynamic approach

(University of California - Davis) New UC Davis research suggests that lumping those with personality disorders into a package of traits should be left behind for more dynamic analysis instead.

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Machines that learn language more like kids do

(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) In a paper being presented at this week's Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing conference, MIT researchers describe a parser that learns through observation to more closely mimic a child's language-acquisition process, which could greatly extend the parser's capabilities.

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Tracking Aedes aegypti across the ages with vector genomics

(American Institute of Biological Sciences) The BioScience Talks podcast features discussions of topical issues related to the biological sciences.

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Best practices in palliative care supported by growing evidence base, study finds

(RAND Corporation) Best practices in the growing field of palliative care have been created on several occasions based upon consensus among experts. However, the latest version of palliative care clinical guidelines were aided by a systematic review of published research that found the evidence base for best practices in palliative care is larger than generally appreciated.

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Previously jailed vets at increased risk of suicide

(University of Connecticut) Researchers are now looking at the healthcare services used by people who attempted suicide to find patterns that could help identify who is most at risk before an attempt is made.

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Too many fishers in the sea: The economic ceiling of artisanal fisheries

(University of California - San Diego) Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and the University of British Columbia found that even if fishers used the most efficient and sustainable known practices, they wouldn't generate enough revenue to maintain a living above poverty level.

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Trading sex for sleep -- Aging dormice shorten their hibernation for more reproduction

(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) Edible dormice are extremely long-lived thanks to their seasonal dormancy with hibernation periods lasting between at six and eleven months. Factors influencing the variable duration, apart from specific environmental conditions, have so far been unknown. Researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna hypothesised that older animals should shorten their winter dormancy in favour of a reproductive advantage and confirmed this for both sexes in a database analysis, published in Scientific Reports.

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Could bariatric surgery make men more virile?

(Springer) Men who have undergone bariatric surgery as a long-term way of losing weight might also benefit from increased testosterone levels post-surgery. However, there is no evidence that the sperm quality of a patient improves. These are the findings of a comprehensive review in the Springer journal Obesity Surgery, which is the official publication of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO).

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New book 'The City as Power' explores sway of urban landscape over national identity

(University of Kansas) A new book co-edited by a University of Kansas geographer explores cities' power to build, uphold and challenge national identity, state power and a sense of belonging.

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A bullet-proof heating pad

(American Chemical Society) Sometimes nothing feels better on stiff, aching joints than a little heat. But many heating pads and wraps are rigid and provide uneven warmth, especially when the person is moving around. Researchers have now made a wearable heater by modifying woven Kevlar® fabric with nanowires that conduct and retain heat. They report their results in ACS' journal Nano Letters.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/acs-abh103118.php

Grant to Brown will expand opioid treatment in state's correctional facilities

(Brown University) A new $1.5 million federal grant to Brown University will expand the scope and address gaps in a medication for addiction treatment program that has successfully reduced post-incarceration drug overdose deaths in its initial stages.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/bu-gtb103118.php

Hard cider, with a shot of sugar

(American Chemical Society) Autumn is the season for falling leaves, pumpkin-spice-flavored everything and apple cider. Yet new research indicates that, in addition to alcohol, some hard ciders may contain a hefty dose of added sugar, which may not be disclosed on the label. The researchers report their results in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/acs-hcw103118.php

High-end solutions to extreme climate change in a new online resource

(Pensoft Publishers) The High-end Solutions Information Hub is a synthesis of the knowledge and results acquired during a 5-year collaboration of 26 partners from different scientific backgrounds and 16 European countries, who have worked intensively with numerous stakeholders. The resource guides scientists and practitioners alike through interactive and user-friendly collections of results, recommendations and methods, to assist decision-making and future research in adaptation and mitigation measures in a future involving extreme climate and socio-economic change.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/pp-hst103118.php

Physical and human capital rather than military spending key for economic growth in Russia

(Pensoft Publishers) Investment in education, healthcare, sports, road infrastructure and transportation, rather than national defense and, to a lesser extent, national security and law enforcement, is what drives economic growth rates upwards in Russia, suggests a recent analysis of government expenditure data gathered between 2002 and 2016. The empirical study, conducted by Dr Alexey Kudrin and Dr Alexander Knobel, was published in the open-access journal Russian Journal of Economics.

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Cold therapy offers promising prevention against taxane-induced dermatologic events

(George Washington University) Researchers at the George Washington University found skin cooling methods may be the best preventative intervention against taxane-based chemotherapy side effects.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/gwu-cto103018.php

Prenatal exposures to medication affecting brain neurotransmitter systems and risk of ASD

(JAMA Network) An exploratory study that examined autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk and prenatal exposure to medications that affect neurotransmitters, including the typical targets of antidepressants and antipsychotics, suggests that most medications weren't associated with higher estimates of ASD risk. The study used data from a large health maintenance organization in Israel for an analytic sample that included 34 groups of medications and 96,249 children, including 1,405 with ASD.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/jn-pet102918.php

Common medications taken during pregnancy are not associated with risk for autism

(The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine) New method developed by Mount Sinai team allows systematic study of effects of a wide range of drugs on the developing fetus.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/tmsh-cmt102918.php

Why polarized politicians can represent citizens best

(University of Chicago Press Journals) Do ideologically extreme politicians deemed 'polarized' misrepresent a more moderate populace? According to the article 'The Delegate Paradox: Why Polarized Politicians Can Represent Citizens Best' published in the October 2018 issue The Journal of Politics by Douglas J. Ahler and David E. Broockman, that's not the case. In fact, they argue, enacting campaign finance or election reform to reduce polarization in government would likely degrade the quality of political representation.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uocp-wpp103018.php

Supplemental issue honors the life and scholarship of Nobel Laureate Gary S. Becker

(University of Chicago Press Journals) A special supplement to the most recent issue of the Journal of Political Economy (JPE) (October 2018) commemorates the life and work of the late Nobel laureate Gary S. Becker. The issue contains contributions from economists such as fellow Nobel laureate and JPE editor James J. Heckman, as well as Richard Blundell, Edward P. Lazear, Pierre-Andre Chiappori, Monica Costa Dias, James Liang, John Eric Humphries, and Gregory Veramendi. The articles in this issue extend, explore, and honor Becker's influential research and scholarship.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uocp-sih103018.php

A new pharmacological molecule improves the safety of canine sedation and anaesthesia

(University of Helsinki) Vatinoxan reduces the adverse effects on the cardiovascular system of pharmacological agents used for animal sedation and anaesthesia. Also, other drugs achieve their therapeutic effect faster when administered simultaneously with vatinoxan.

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Cocaine adulterant may cause brain damage

(University of Zurich) People who regularly take cocaine cut with the animal anti-worming agent levamisole demonstrate impaired cognitive performance and a thinned prefrontal cortex. These findings from two recent studies at the University of Zurich indicate that levamisole could have a toxic effect on the brain. Drug-checking programs should therefore be expanded, argue the researchers.

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Springer launches interdisciplinary portal on urban studies

(Springer) To meet the changing needs of the research community, Springer has significantly expanded its urban studies publication programme and set up a specially dedicated urban studies portal. The portal compiles a comprehensive collection of books, open access publications, journal articles and reference works related to urban studies and is now available on springer.com.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2PzzqQe

The science of studying the effects of extraordinary beliefs on consumer behavior

(University of Chicago Press Journals) The study of superstition and other extraordinary beliefs in the marketplace brings challenges and opportunities for the enhancement of consumer well-being. In 'Superstition, Ethics, and Transformative Consumer Research,' published in the October issue of the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, Stuart Vyse examines the ethical issues involved in research on consumer superstitions and how the principles of Transformative Consumer Research can be applied to this area of investigation to promote consumer welfare and sustainability.

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Cutting societal alcohol use may prevent alcohol disorders developing -- Otago research reveals

(University of Otago) Society must take collective responsibility to reduce the harm caused by alcohol use disorders, a University of Otago academic says.

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The when, where and what of air pollutant exposure

(American Chemical Society) Scientists have linked air pollution with many health conditions including asthma, heart disease, lung cancer and premature death. Among air pollutants, fine particulate matter is especially harmful because the tiny particles (diameter of 2.5 μm or less) can penetrate deep within the lungs. Now, researchers have integrated data from multiple sources to determine the personal exposure of people in peri-urban India to fine particulate matter. They report their results in Environmental Science & Technology.

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How roaches fight off wasps that turn their victims into zombies

Cockroaches kick attacking emerald jewel wasps to avoid being incapacitated and buried alive as living meat for the wasps’ young.

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AI systems shed light on root cause of religious conflict

(University of Oxford) Artificial intelligence can help us to better understand the causes of religious violence and to potentially control it, according to a new Oxford University collaboration.The study published in The Journal for Artificial Societies and Social Stimulation, combined computer modelling and cognitive psychology to create an AI system able to mimic human religiosity, allowing them to better understand the conditions, triggers and patterns for religious violence.

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Body mass index associated with deaths from most causes

(London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) Body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat, is linked to risk of death from every major cause except transport accidents, according to new research published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

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Army, university study suggests brain structure could influence behavior

(U.S. Army Research Laboratory) New research focusing on how brain structure may impact brain activity and ultimately human behavior could one day lead to technology that can be catered to an individual Soldier in a training environment or operational setting.

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The planet-hunting Kepler space telescope is dead

The Kepler space telescope is officially out of fuel and will hunt planets no more, NASA announced.

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Economic impact of excess weight now exceeds $1.7 trillion

(Milken Institute) The impact of obesity and overweight on the U.S. economy has eclipsed $1.7 trillion, an amount equivalent to 9.3 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, according to a new Milken Institute report on the role excess weight plays in the prevalence and cost of chronic diseases.

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How people perceive cities and suburbs is not merely a matter of boundary lines

(University at Buffalo) What separates cities and suburbs isn't always a geographic boundary. Subjective social factors also play a role, particularly school quality and public safety, according to a new study.

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Three Harvard Medical School scientists receive prestigious Allen awards

(Harvard Medical School) Three Harvard Medical School scientists have received the prestigious Allen Distinguished Investigator awards for their work in the fields of neuroimmunology, developmental biology and cancer.

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Insilico to present its research in AI at BioCentury China Healthcare Summit

(InSilico Medicine, Inc.) The CEO of Insilico Medicine, Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD will present Insilico's latest results in the generation of novel small molecule leads using the Generative Adversarial Networks and Reinforcement Learning, as well as the multi-modal biomarkers of human aging and age-related diseases.

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When silence acts as a mirror

(Society for Consumer Psychology) Findings from a new study suggest that people assume that those who are silent in a conversation would agree with their own opinion, even if the majority of the speakers in the group have a different opinion. This has implications for how people form opinions about products, politics, and much more.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2CR7S1N

Lifespan and sexual maturity depends on your brain more than your body

(Vanderbilt University) New Vanderbilt research finds how long humans and other warm-blooded animals live -- and when they reach sexual maturity -- may have more to do with their brain than their body. More specifically, it is not animals with larger bodies or slower metabolic rates that live longer; it is animals with more neurons in the cerebral cortex, whatever the size of the body.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2qijuDJ

Becoming more sensitive to pain increases the risk of knee pain not going away

(University of Montreal) A new study by researchers in Montreal and Boston looks at the role that pain plays in osteoarthritis, a disease that affects over 300 million adults worldwide.

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How researchers flinging salmon inadvertently spurred tree growth

Scientists studying salmon in Alaska flung dead fish into the forest. After 20 years, the nutrients from those carcasses sped up tree growth.

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Spay and neuter for dogs: Avoiding the health consequences

(Parsemus Foundation) In the United States, spaying or neutering a dog has become standard practice to reduce pet overpopulation. Yet recent research has shed light on the long-term health impacts of the lack of natural hormonal balance resulting from removal of the gonads. This research article includes details on alternatives to traditional spay and neuter and encourages an individualized approach to determining the best contraceptive option for each dog.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Q4Y0oV

UA pharmacologists seek to prevent opioid tolerance, addiction

(University of Arizona Health Sciences) A $1.7 million federal grant will help researchers striving to put an end to opioid tolerance -- a phenomenon that often leads to opioid dependence, abuse and addiction.

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Research sheds light on conspiracy theory elements

(Virginia Tech) 'Our study also suggests that alternative media spreading conspiracy theories appear to better align with anti- and pro-globalism than with left- and right-leaning political ideologies.'

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2P2F3Hj

One month of abstinence from cannabis improves memory in adolescents, young adults

(Massachusetts General Hospital) A Massachusetts General Hospital study finds that one month of abstaining from cannabis use resulted in measurable improvement in memory functions important for learning among adolescents and young adults who were regular cannabis users.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Swv9eT

The Indians of the Ecuadorian Amazon were using cocoa 5300 years ago

(Cirad) An international team* associating archaeologists, anthropologists, biochemists and geneticists recently found for the first time archaeological traces of cocoa use in South America in pre-Columbian times. This result is published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

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Young people’s memories improved when they stopped using marijuana

After just a week of not using pot, teens’ and young adults’ abilities to remember lists of words got better, a small study finds.

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Single protein controls thousands of genes essential for sperm development

(Case Western Reserve University) A single protein regulates a battery of key genes inside developing sperm, according to a new study out of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Scientists discovered the protein--called Dazl--controls a network of genes essential for developing sperm to replicate and survive. The findings, published in Cell Reports, could lay the groundwork for future research into therapies for infertile men.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2AAjZyY

Farm Holidays: The 1st World Congress on Agritourism to be held in Bolzano/Bozen

(Eurac Research) Agritourism allows travellers and tourists to come to farms to have contact with the land and to experience the fundamental sector of agriculture. Agritourism is also about offering farmers a chance to diversify their activities and generate additional income, permitting them to safeguard their farms and contribute to the development of rural communities. The first world congress on agritourism will be held in Bolzano/Bozen, with contributions from important sectorial actors from around the world.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2EMNyRQ

Silicon valley philanthropist and Alzheimer's Association build the research pipeline

(Alzheimer's Association) Innovative research aimed to possibly rejuvenate brain cells is being funded by Alzheimer's Association grants as part of its ongoing efforts to fill the gap and accelerate the process in Alzheimer's disease drug development.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2AAoFoe

Study reconstructs Neandertal ribcage, offers new clues to ancient human anatomy

(University of Washington) An international team, which included researchers from universities in Spain, Israel, and the United States, including the University of Washington, has completed the first 3D virtual reconstruction of the ribcage of the most complete Neandertal skeleton unearthed to date. Using CT scans of fossils from an approximately 60,000-year-old male skeleton, researchers were able to create a 3D model of the chest -- one that is different from the longstanding image of the barrel-chested, hunched-over 'caveman.'

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Q1xuN7

Study reconstructs Neandertal ribcage, offers new clues to ancient human anatomy

(University of Washington) An international team, which included researchers from universities in Spain, Israel, and the United States, including the University of Washington, has completed the first 3D virtual reconstruction of the ribcage of the most complete Neandertal skeleton unearthed to date. Using CT scans of fossils from an approximately 60,000-year-old male skeleton, researchers were able to create a 3D model of the chest -- one that is different from the longstanding image of the barrel-chested, hunched-over 'caveman.'

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology https://ift.tt/2Q1xuN7

Mount Sinai researchers find wheat oral immunotherapy to be therapeutic for allergic patients

(The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine) In a major step towards understanding the safety and efficacy of wheat oral immunotherapy, Mount Sinai researchers report promising results from the first multicenter, rigorous clinical trial in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Q7IU2e

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards ten scientists for psychiatric research

(Brain & Behavior Research Foundation) The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored ten scientists with its 2018 Outstanding Achievement Prizes and awarded the Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health at its International Awards Dinner on Friday, October 26, at the Pierre in New York City.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2qj1mcE

Young men more likely to die in summer, older people in winter despite local climate

(eLife ) Young men living in the US are overall more likely to die in the summer months, according to a new study in eLife.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Q6aAVb

Halloween associated with increased risk of pedestrian fatalities

(JAMA Network) Children in the United States celebrate Halloween by going door-to-door collecting candy. New research suggests the popular October 31 holiday is associated with increased pedestrian traffic fatalities, especially among children.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2ql0apq

Pedestrian fatalities increase on Halloween, particularly among children

(University of British Columbia) Children are more likely to be fatally struck by a vehicle on Halloween than on other nights of the year, according to new research led by the University of British Columbia.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Q4MBp9

Owls help JHU scientists unlock secret of how the brain pays attention

(Johns Hopkins University) Studying barn owls, scientists believe they've taken an important step toward solving the longstanding mystery of how the brain chooses what most deserves attention.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2qfnqVM

If you want to believe your home’s bug free, don’t read this book

‘Never Home Alone’ reveals the hidden world living in human-made spaces.

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When the Syrians bathed like the Romans

(Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics") Classical scholars from Münster explore rare Roman bathing facility and magnificent early Christian basilica in southeastern Turkey -- Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence make new archaeological findings in the ancient town of Doliche -- northern Syrian town flourished across epochs and religions -- Roman and Christian influences can be proven

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Dopamine drives early addiction to heroin

(eLife ) Scientists have made a major advance in untangling the brain circuits that lead to the powerful addictive effects of heroin, a study in the open-access journal eLife reports.

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AAFP releases new how to feed a cat consensus statement to the veterinary community

(SAGE) The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) today released the AAFP Consensus Statement, 'Feline Feeding Programs: Addressing Behavioral Needs to Improve Feline Health and Wellbeing' and accompanying client brochure to the veterinary community. The Consensus Statement, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, explores the medical, social, and emotional problems that can result from the manner in which most cats are currently fed.

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An end to arachnophobia 'just a heartbeat away'

(University of Sussex) Researchers have discovered that exposing people with phobias to their fear -- for examples, spiders for those who have arachnophobia -- at the exact time their heart beats, led to the phobia reducing in severity.

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When the Syrians bathed like the Romans

(Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics") Classical scholars from Münster explore rare Roman bathing facility and magnificent early Christian basilica in southeastern Turkey -- Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence make new archaeological findings in the ancient town of Doliche -- northern Syrian town flourished across epochs and religions -- Roman and Christian influences can be proven

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How LSD changes perception

(University of Zurich) LSD changes the communication patterns between regions of the brain, a new study by researchers of the University of Zurich and Yale University shows. The study also provides insights into how mental health disorders develop and how these could be treated.

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Report outlines priorities to improve the lives of cancer survivors and caregivers

(American Cancer Society) A new report from the American Cancer Society creates a set of critical priorities for care delivery, research, education, and policy to equitably improve survivor outcomes and support caregivers.

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Your blood pressure and heart rate change to meet physical and social demands

(Binghamton University) Blood pressure and heart rate are not fixed, but rather they adapt to meet physical and social demands placed on the body, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University at New York.

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New devices could help turn atmospheric CO2 into useful supplies

New electrochemical cells transform carbon monoxide into useful chemical compounds like ethylene and acetate much more efficiently than their predecessors.

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The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group announces 10 new Allen Distinguished Investigators

(Allen Institute) The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, a division of the Allen Institute, today announces $13.5 million in Allen Distinguished Investigator (ADI) awards to ten researchers in the U.S., Canada and Portugal. Each ADI project will receive $1.5M over three years for studies that will expand our knowledge of lymphoma, our cells, our brains and the biology of aging.

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APA Stress in America: generation z stressed about issues in the news but least likely to vote

(American Psychological Association) Headline issues, from immigration to sexual assault, are causing significant stress among members of Generation Z -- those between ages 15 and 21- - with mass shootings topping the list of stressful current events, according to the American Psychological Association's report Stress in America™: Generation Z released today.

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Suicide more prevalent than homicide in US, but most Americans don't know it

(University of Washington) A new study by the University of Washington, Northeastern University and Harvard University delves into public perceptions of gun violence and the leading causes of death in the US.

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Most Americans underestimate minorities' environmental concerns -- even minorities

(Cornell University) A new study shows most Americans underestimate just how concerned minorities and lower-income people are about environmental threats, including members of those groups.

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Opioid-affected births to rural residents increase in rural and urban hospitals

(University of Minnesota) Pregnant women with opioid addiction may have particular challenges in receiving the care they need when they live in rural areas. Both maternal opioid use disorder and neonatal abstinence syndrome, also known as infant withdrawal, are increasing faster in rural areas than in urban areas.

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Eye-tracking glasses provide a new vision for the future of augmented reality

(Dartmouth College) Battery-free eye-tracking glasses creates an even more realistic experience for augmented reality enthusiasts, improving player controls for gaming and allowing for more realistic image displays.

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Animal species becoming extinct in Haiti as deforestation nearly complete

(Oregon State University) Species of reptiles, amphibians and other vertebrates are becoming extinct in Haiti as deforestation has claimed more than 99 percent of the country's original wooded areas.

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New study: reduced screen time for young highly recommended for well-being

(San Diego State University) Utilizing National Survey of Children's Health data from 2016, Twenge and Campbell analyzed a random sample of more than 40,300 surveys from the caregivers of children aged 2 to 17. The study provides further evidence that the American Academy of Pediatrics' established screen time limits -- one hour per day for those aged 2 to 5, with a focus on high-quality programs -- are valid.

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New techniques allow medicine to see the whole again

(Wageningen University and Research) Medical diagnoses mostly focuses on resolving isolated issues. But, fixing one problem may create others and even invoke an overall health collapse. Scientists now found a new approach to assess the risks of such collapse in humans and other animals using data from wearable sensors.

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Interior northwest Indians used tobacco long before European contact

(Washington State University) Washington State University researchers have determined that Nez Perce Indians grew and smoked tobacco at least 1,200 years ago, long before the arrival of traders and settlers from the eastern United States. Their finding upends a long-held view that indigenous people in this area of the interior Pacific Northwest smoked only kinnikinnick or bearberry before traders brought tobacco starting around 1790.

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People in the Pacific Northwest smoked tobacco long before Europeans showed up

Ancient indigenous groups in the Pacific Northwest used tobacco roughly 600 years before European settlers ventured west with the plant.

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Exercise may lessen fall risk for older adults with Alzheimer's

(American Geriatrics Society) A research team decided to explore whether exercise could reduce the risk of falling among community-dwelling people with Alzheimer's Disease who also had neuropsychiatric symptoms. Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Kessler Foundation and UAB study aerobic exercise to improve cognitive deficits in MS

(Kessler Foundation) 'This study is the first to examine two different exercise programs as potential treatments for MS-related learning-and-memory impairment,' remarked Brian Sandroff, PhD, principal investigator of the study, and assistant professor at UAB School of Health Professions. 'Through this rigorous study, we anticipate we will provide important evidence for the potential role of exercise training for managing learning and memory problems in MS.'

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Casino lights and sounds encourage risky decision-making

(University of British Columbia) The blinking lights and exciting jingles in casinos may encourage risky decision-making and potentially promote problem gambling behaviour, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia.

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Insilico to present its latest advances in human aging biomarker development

(InSilico Medicine, Inc.) Insilico Medicine will present its latest advances in human aging biomarker development at the Investing in the Age of Longevity Conference in London, 1 of November.

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Researchers to study binge eating disorder treatment in veterans

(University of California - San Diego) For the first time, the United States Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded a grant to researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine to study binge eating disorder treatments in veterans and active duty military.

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UC psychologists devise free test for measuring intelligence

(University of California - Riverside) Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices is a widely used standardized test to measure reasoning ability. One drawback, however, is that the test takes 40 to 60 minutes to complete. Another is that the test kit and answer sheets can cost hundreds of dollars. University of California psychologists have now developed a highly comparable free test that takes 10 minutes to complete. The user-friendly test measures abstract problem-solving ability and works on tablets and other mobile devices.

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Combination drug targeting opioid system may help relieve symptoms of major depression

(Massachusetts General Hospital) Two clinical trials of an investigational drug that targets the opioid system support its safety and effectiveness in reducing symptoms of major depression, when added to standard antidepressant treatment.

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Severity of crime increases jury's belief in guilt

(Duke University) A laboratory experiment with 600 mock jurors has found the more severe an alleged crime, the higher a juror's confidence in guilt becomes, regardless of the evidence. 'If the crime is more serious or more heinous, [mock jurors] are more likely to be convinced by the same amount of evidence,' said lead study author John Pearson of Duke University.

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Sweet discovery: New UBC study pushes back the origins of chocolate

(University of British Columbia) As Halloween revelers prepare to feast on chocolate, a new study from an international team of researchers, including the University of British Columbia, is pushing back the origins of the delicious sweet treat.

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Mass shootings may trigger unnecessary blood donations

(Northwestern Memorial HealthCare) A new Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery analyzed the blood resource needs and blood donations in Las Vegas compared to other mass shooting incidents offering insight into medical needs following a mass shooting incident, which may help guide preparedness for future events.

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Mass shootings trigger blood donations

(Vanderbilt University Medical Center) The report, appearing this week in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, is focused on blood transfusion needs and the influence of media coverage on blood bank operations. The report includes comparisons with other recent mass shootings.

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Sweet discovery: New UBC study pushes back the origins of chocolate

(University of British Columbia) As Halloween revelers prepare to feast on chocolate, a new study from an international team of researchers, including the University of British Columbia, is pushing back the origins of the delicious sweet treat.

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Earliest hominin migrations into the Arabian Peninsula required no novel adaptations

(Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) A new study suggests that early hominin dispersals beyond Africa did not involve adaptations to environmental extremes, such as to arid and harsh deserts. The discovery of stone tools and cut-marks on fossil animal remains at the site of Ti's al Ghadah provides evidence for hominins in Saudi Arabia at least 100,000 years earlier than previously known. Stable isotope analysis indicates a dominance of grassland vegetation at the site, similar to other early hominin environments.

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Ancient South Americans tasted chocolate 1,500 years before anyone else

Artifacts with traces of cacao push back the known date for when the plant was first domesticated by 1,500 years.

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UC San Diego signs MOU with Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe

(University of California - San Diego) UC San Diego Signs 5-year MOU with Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe to promote joint research.

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Thrill-seeking, search for meaning fuel political violence

(American Psychological Association) What drives someone to support or participate in politically or religiously motivated acts of violence, and what can be done to prevent them? While one factor may be a search for meaning in life, research published by the American Psychological Association suggests people may be further driven by an increased need for excitement and feeding that need with thrilling but non-violent alternatives may curb the desire.

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New guidelines on best practices for videoconferencing-based telemental health

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) New guidance is available from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) to assist in the development and delivery of effective and safe interactive videoconferencing-based mental health services.

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Veterans with PTSD improve mental health after therapeutic horseback riding intervention

(Baylor University) Veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder were less anxious and depressed and had an improved quality of life after an eight-week therapeutic horseback riding program, according to a Baylor University study.

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Mount Sinai recognized for excellence in mitochondrial care

(The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine) The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been recognized as a certified Mitochondrial Medicine Center by the Mitochondrial Care Network, a newly established collaborative founded by four national mitochondrial disease advocacy groups. The certification recognizes centers for dedication to mitochondrial medicine.

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Free movement can protect humans from environmental threats

(University of Exeter) Greater freedom of movement and investments in human rights and social opportunities can help protect humans from environmental threats like rising sea levels, new research says.

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Can attending a top high school reduce teens' marijuana abuse?

(University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences) Low-income students who attended a top-achieving high school were less likely to abuse marijuana than those who weren't offered admission. For boys, the risk dropped 50 percent by 11th grade.

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At least one year between pregnancies reduces risks for mother and baby

(University of British Columbia) Twelve to 18 months seems to be the ideal length of time between giving birth and getting pregnant again, according to new research from the University of British Columbia and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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User-friendly tools help older adults guide future medical care

(University of California - San Francisco) A user-friendly website on advance care planning, as well as easy-to-read advance directives, can be highly effective in empowering both English- and Spanish-speaking older adults to plan for their future medical care, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco.

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Why people have lateral preferences when kissing and hugging

(Ruhr-University Bochum) Typically, a person will initiate a hug with the right hand. Similar preferences are also present in other forms of social touch. The question of right resp. left-handedness plays a role in the process. However, it is not the only relevant aspect.

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Chimpanzees react faster to cooperate than make selfish choices

(University of Michigan) When it comes to cooperation, there's no monkey business in how some chimpanzees respond.

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The future is now: Prototype of a flying taxi of the future assembled at NUST MISIS

(National University of Science and Technology MISIS) A prototype of the aircraft of the future has been assembled at the NUST MISIS KINETICA High Complexity Prototyping Center at the request of the Russian company Bartini. The 'air taxi' has even successfully passed several tests. Bartini plans to complete development and present the air taxi on the commercial market by 2020.

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The future of energy supply: Combined energy storage as a key technology

(Graz University of Technology) A system developed at TU Graz uses water as a storage medium for electricity and thermal energy. This should promote the construction of renewable power plants. The technology could also be used to satisfy 90 percent of our energy demand.

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Sniffer dogs could detect malaria in people

(Durham University) Dogs could be trained to sniff out malaria in people according to new research aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly disease.

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The long-term effects of alcohol demand on retail alcohol markets

(Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation) As new study by the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation and the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics examined the determinants of the number of licensed bars, restaurants, and liquor stores across neighborhoods in 53 California cities from 2000 to 2013.

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$1.5 million FEMA award to fund first-of-its-kind study of health effects on wildland firefighters

(University of Maryland) With a $1.5 million award from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, University of Maryland (UMD) Associate Professor Michael Gollner will co-lead a first-of-its-kind research effort to quantify the pulmonary and cardiovascular health consequences to firefighters exposed to wildland fire smoke.

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Lifetime peer influences, and parenting, predict adult coercive relationships

(Arizona State University) Researchers in the Arizona State University Department of Psychology have found peer socialization and disruptive parenting were strong predictors of whether adults age 28-30 years were in a coercive romantic relationship. The 230 study participants were followed starting at age 11, and those who engaged in deviancy training at age 16-17 were more likely to end up in unhealthy relationships as adults.

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Australia's changing relationship with alcohol

(La Trobe University) New research from La Trobe University has revealed that 30 per cent of Australians recently reduced the quantity of their alcohol consumption and a further 29 per cent reduced the frequency of their drinking, while six per cent kicked the habit for good.

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Zapping substances with electrons can quickly map chemical structures

Speedy molecular identification originally developed for proteins might benefit crime lab researchers and drugmakers.

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Consequences-focused cognitive training may promote healthier habits

(Association for Psychological Science) Interventions aimed at reducing unhealthy behaviors often focus on retraining people's mental associations, but a series of studies suggests that showing people the consequences of the behaviors may be more effective. The findings are published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

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‘18 Miles’ is full of interesting tales about Earth’s atmosphere

The new book ‘18 Miles’ takes readers on a journey through the atmosphere and the history of understanding climate and weather.

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Estrogens in cows' milk are unlikely to pose a threat to adult health

(European Society of Endocrinology) Estrogens found naturally in cows' milk are likely to be safe for consumption in adults, according to a new review published in the European Journal of Endocrinology. The review brings together scientific evidence in rodent and human studies that examined the effects of ingesting estrogen-containing cows' milk on fertility and the risk of cancer development. The findings suggest that the levels of estrogens found in milk are too low to pose health risks to adults.

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What the approval the new flu drug Xofluza means for you

Xofluza, the first flu antiviral to be approved in 20 years, works differently from other flu drugs.

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Surprising network activity in the immature brain

(Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience) Scientists have identified spontaneous activity in the visual cortex that serves as a template for the subsequent development of the long-range neural connections.

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Link between what we see and how we remember 'breaks' as we get older

(Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care) Forgetfulness and age-related memory lapses are a common complaint among older adults, but what is still not understood is what causes these changes. Recent research published by scientists at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI) brings us a step closer to uncovering the answer, which could help with distinguishing signs of dementia earlier.

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Unprecedented growth in the college labor market

(Michigan State University) For the ninth year in a row, the job market for college graduates is booming, according to Michigan State University's Recruiting Trends, the largest annual survey of employers in the nation.

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Cigarette pictorial warning labels most effective when including body parts, testimonials

(University of Pennsylvania) As the United States moves toward implementing image-based warning labels on cigarette packs, label designers must consider what types of pictorial warnings will be most effective. New research from the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania examines individual features to determine effectiveness, finding that diseased body parts like gangrene feet and testimonials from real smokers have the greatest impact.

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While eating, these tiny worms release chemicals to lure their next meal

As they eat insects, one nematode species releases chemicals that attract more insect prey.

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Majority of CIS economies halt growth

(National Research University Higher School of Economics) Experts from the HSE Centre for Business Tendency Studies (CBTS) analysed for the first time the growth of the manufacturing industry in CIS countries between 2004 and 2016. It was conducted within the framework of a regional project of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 'Improvement of industrial statistics and development of indicators of industrial performance for policy-relevant analysis in CIS countries'.

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High on the highway -- stoned-driving on the increase

(De Gruyter) Getting behind the wheel after cannabis use is on the rise in the US, and THC, not alcohol, is now the most commonly detected intoxicant in US drivers. Detecting levels of THC, however, is challenging and the methods used so far cannot accurately determine a person's level of impairment.

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Five out of five? Study reveals psychological influences in online reviews

(University of East Anglia) A new study reveals how psychological factors affect the ratings people provide and how they describe their experiences when posting online reviews.Researchers at the University of East Anglia found the length of time between product or service consumption and posting affects the review given.

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Loss of work productivity in a warming world

(Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) Heat stress affects the health of workers and reduces the work productivity by changing the ambient working environment thus leading to economic losses. Scientists identified the regions of vulnerability to heat waves that might have been overlooked in the past.

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Brainwave activity reveals potential biomarker for autism in children

(Kanazawa University) Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects children's social and intellectual development. Conventional diagnostic methods for ASD rely on behavioral observation. Researchers based at Japan's Kanazawa University have identified a potential quantifiable biomarker for diagnosing ASD. Using magnetic brainwave imaging, they correlated altered gamma oscillation with the motor response of children with ASD, which is consistent with previous key hypotheses on ASD. The means of observation potentially offers a noninvasive, impartial form of early diagnosis of ASD.

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Sex, drugs and estradiol: why cannabis affects women differently

(Frontiers) Sex differences in cannabis use are beginning to be explained with the aid of brain studies in animals and humans. A new paper in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience brings us up to date on progress.

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The body weight bias in sales

(Society for Consumer Psychology) Findings from a new study suggest that sales employees are more likely to recommend round products for customers that are overweight or obese, but there is no evidence that these customers prefer round products.

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WSU to lead new center for Alzheimer's research in Native people

(Washington State University) Washington State University will lead the establishment of a new center to advance research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Native populations across the United States. Funding for the new Native Alzheimer's Disease-Related Resource Center in Minority Aging comes from a recently awarded $2.8 million five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, a component of the National Institutes of Health.

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Coral larvae survive being frozen and thawed for the first time

Cryopreservation might help save some coral reefs at risk from climate change and other dangers.

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Baby's tears and mom's libido

(University of Tokyo) A substance in young mice's tears makes female mice more likely to reject male sexual advances. This research is part of ongoing efforts at the University of Tokyo to understand how animals communicate using chemicals called pheromones. Direct connections between human and mouse behavior cannot be made because pheromones are highly species specific.

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Medicaid expansion linked to reduced mortality among dialysis patients

(Brown University) A new Brown University study finds that fewer patients with end-stage kidney disease died within a year of starting dialysis in states that expanded Medicaid coverage in the wake of the Affordable Care Act.

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Texas Governor's Office honors four UTA disability programs

(University of Texas at Arlington) Four disability-focused programs at The University of Texas at Arlington have been awarded the Martha Arbuckle Award, a statewide award recognizing the most innovative local committee project. In addition, to the 2018 Taft Labor History Prize for her book, Rose also won the 2018 Disability History Association's Outstanding Book Award and the 2017 Award for Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the New York State Archives.

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Kent State biologist wins grant to study neurological roots of chronic stress and fear

(Kent State University) People who suffer trauma will, with few exceptions, never forget what happened to them. But a Kent State University researcher may be able to offer them the hope of living without constant fear and anxiety, thanks to a three-year, $450,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.

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Study: 4.6 percent of Massachusetts residents have opioid use disorder

(Boston Medical Center) A recent study estimates that more than 275,000 people -- or 4.6 percent of people over the age of 11 in Massachusetts -- have opioid use disorder, a figure nearly four times higher than previous estimates based on national data. Led by researchers at Boston Medical Center, the study involved an analysis of several linked public health data sets, allowing for a more accurate picture of the impact of opioids in the state.

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What makes a good working dog? Canine 'aptitude test' might offer clues

(University of Arizona) A canine cognition test could help organizations that train working dogs identify the dogs that are most likely to succeed, according to new research led by the University of Arizona. If organizations could better predict which dogs will succeed in working roles, it could save thousands of dollars in training costs and ensure people in need get dogs faster.

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Not enough fruits, vegetables grown to feed the planet, U of G study reveals

(University of Guelph) Study results show that the global agriculture system currently overproduces grains, fats and sugars, while production of fruits and vegetables and, to a smaller degree, protein is not sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the current population.The researchers also found that shifting production to match nutritional dietary guidelines would require 50 million fewer hectares of arable land, because fruits and vegetables take less land to grow than grain, sugar and fat.

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Older adults with strong grip, good memory may avoid or delay disability

(American Geriatrics Society) To learn more about how and whether being strong can ward off disability, a team of researchers examined information from a study called SHARE, and published their findings in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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NIH grant to UTA researchers aims to reduce caregiver stress

(University of Texas at Arlington) Two UTA social work professors are using an NIH grant to find ways to reduce stress of families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. Noelle Fields and Ling Xu, both assistant professors in The University of Texas at Arlington's School of Social Work, were awarded a $459,994 National Institutes of Health grant for their research titled "The Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus): A Psychoeducational Intervention for African American Dementia Caregivers."

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Scientists uncover key brain mechanism in salience processing

(Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters) A study carried out by professor ZHU Yingjie from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, in collaboration with Prof. CHEN Xiaoke from Stanford University, uncovered the brain mechanism underlying salience processing.

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The first vertebrates on Earth arose in shallow coastal waters

After appearing about 480 million years ago in coastal waters, the earliest vertebrates stayed in the shallows for another 100 million years.

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Offering employees a helping hand can backfire

(San Francisco State University) When a coworker or employee is struggling, is it better to offer help on the job or just a shoulder to cry on? A new study led by San Francisco State University researchers shows that the two forms of support do roughly the same thing -- but that sometimes, it's best not to address the situation at all.

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FNIH and C-Path achieve first ever qualification of a clinical safety biomarker by FDA

(Critical Path Institute (C-Path)) The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Biomarkers Consortium (BC) and the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) Predictive Safety Testing Consortium (PSTC) have received the first ever qualification of a clinical safety biomarker awarded by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- a major milestone that will improve the detection of drug-induced kidney injury in early phase drug development.

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Unique patterns of neural communications found in brains of children with autism

(San Diego State University) A research team studying MRI scans of school-age children's brains found unique patterns of neural communication involving the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for processing social information. In children with ASDs, the amygdala connections with other parts of the brain proved to be weaker with some regions -- and stronger with others -- when compared with typically developing children of the same age.

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Researchers observe novel bat behavior in Panama

(Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute) According to a new report from researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) who studied Peters' tent-making bats (Uroderma bilobatum), mothers prod their young with their forearms, perhaps encouraging them to fledge and wean.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2CD2UWu

At last, a simple way to solve the complex mysteries of the microbiome

(University of Virginia Health System) Understanding how the microbes in the microbiome interact -- and how they influence human health -- is a gargantuan task, akin to counting the grains of sand on a beach.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2CDsfQ4

Parent-child bond predicts depression, anxiety in teens attending high-achieving schools

(Arizona State University) Researchers in the Arizona State University Department of Psychology have found the quality of the parent-child relationship steadily declined starting in grade 6, and levels of alienation, trust and communication in middle school predicted depressive symptoms and anxiety in grade 12.

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Researchers find gene that makes some susceptible to middle ear infections

(University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found multiple genetic variants within the FUT2 gene that makes some people especially susceptible to middle ear infections.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2z1GJ94

Head and neck cancer survivors at increased risk of suicide

(Saint Louis University) Despite improved survival rates among cancer patients, the risk of death by suicide remains high, especially among those treated for head and neck cancers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2SlMqaP

IN-PEACE tackles burdensome symptoms, challenges of dementia for patients and caregivers

(Regenstrief Institute) With the goals of improving care for symptom management and other burdens of dementia as well as empowering their family caregivers, researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Center for Aging Research are integrating state of the art dementia care with palliative care through an innovative supportive care model they have named IN-PEACE. The initiative is funded by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institute on Aging.

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Fighting mosquitoes in your backyard with scientists' help

(Rutgers University) Thanks to an innovative mosquito control approach developed at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, residents in several Maryland neighborhoods reduced populations of invasive Asian tiger mosquitoes by an impressive 76 percent, on average. The Rutgers-led project, called Citizen Action through Science (Citizen AcTS), mobilizes neighbors guided by scientists to address local problems, according to a study in the journal Scientific Reports this week.

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People overestimate benefits, and underestimate risks, of medical interventions

(University of Plymouth) From major heart surgery to a course of minor drugs, people overestimate the benefits and underestimate the risks of a variety of medical procedures, according to new research. led by the University of Plymouth, UK.

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Students in health enrichment programs benefit from early team-based exposure

(Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) A study conducted by LSU Health New Orleans researchers provides new evidence that early exposure to multiple health disciplines in pipeline programs targeting underserved/underrepresented students interested in health professions reduces the development of traditional role and leadership stereotypes about professional health care teams and practice.

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Three proteins may play key roles in female fertility and cancer biology

(Rutgers University) Three proteins regulate each other with surprising twists and turns in female mouse eggs, a finding that may play an important role in female fertility and cancer biology, according to Rutgers-led research.

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Just a few drinks can change how memories are formed

(Brown University) Researchers at Brown found that alcohol hijacks a conserved memory pathway in the brain and changes which versions of genes are made, forming the cravings that fuel addiction.

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To get a deeper tan, don’t sunbathe every day

Skin cells make protective melanin on a 48-hour cycle.

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Major meeting on science of sound next month in Victoria, Canada

(Acoustical Society of America) The Acoustical Society of America's 176th Meeting, to be held in conjunction with the Canadian Acoustical Association's 2018 Acoustics Week in Canada, will take place next month, Nov. 5-9, 2018, at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, Canada. It will be largest gathering of acoustical experts anywhere in the world this year and the premiere meeting on the science of sound.

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£2.7m study to focus on dementia support workers in primary care

(University of Plymouth) A new study is investigating how to introduce dementia support workers into doctors' clinics in the UK, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life for dementia patients and their carers.

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Why relationships -- not money -- are the key to improving schools

(Ohio State University) Strong relationships between teachers, parents and students at schools has more impact on improving student learning than does financial support, new research shows. The study found that social capital had a three- to five-times larger effect than financial capital on reading and math scores in Michigan schools.

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Targeted Facebook ads shown to be highly effective in the 2016 US Presidential election

(University of Warwick) Intensive, micro-targeted Facebook adverts increased Republican turnout by up to 10 per cent among key voter groups, according to a new study published by the University of Warwick. The study raises important questions about whether more regulation or transparency is needed.The paper was produced in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the University Carlos III in Madrid.

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Trust in others predicts mortality in the United States

(Stockholm University) Do you trust other people? It may prolong your life. According to a study by researchers from Lund University and Stockholm University, people who trust others live longer -- Those who do not increase their risk of a shortened life. The study is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

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Can tiny doses of magic mushrooms unlock creativity?

(Springer) The use of minute doses of magic mushrooms and truffles containing psychedelic substances could induce a state of unconstrained thought that may produce more new, creative ideas. 'Microdosing' in this way may allow people to experience the creative benefits of psychedelic drugs without the risk of the so-called 'bad trips' that often come with high doses of such substances.

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Science Agora 2018

(Japan Science and Technology Agency) Science Agora is a public square connecting science and society, which is open to everyone. It is a forum in which various people promote activities in each region independently by connecting parties involved in different fields, sectors, generations, and nationalities. People who think about the connections between science and technology gather together from all regions, and deepen their ideas through dialogue with the attendees through the sessions and booth exhibitions.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2O6EsyC

Deaths due to tainted herbal medicine under-recorded

(University of Adelaide) A University of Adelaide forensic pathologist is warning that potentially harmful substances found in herbal medicines may be playing a bigger role in deaths of 'health tourists' than previously thought.

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How a snake named Hannibal led to a discovery about cobra cannibalism

Scientists discovered that cobras in southern Africa eat each other more often than thought. And that may be true for cobras in other places as well.

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Could thyroid screening make your baby smarter?

(Frontiers) Thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development, but many pregnant women do not produce enough. Thyroid testing and replacement therapy are simple and widely available -- so why do countries like the UK and USA not offer screening to all newly pregnant women?

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Facial exercise speeds Botox's wrinkle-reducing effects

(Northwestern University) For people who can't wait the three or four days for the wrinkle smoothing effects of botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to kick in, a new study shows facial exercise after the injections speeds the change in appearance by one day. This is the first time facial exercise has been rigorously tested in Botox. Faster time is important to patients who leave Botox for last minute before social event.

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Binary bias distorts how we integrate information

(Association for Psychological Science) When we evaluate and compare a range of data points -- whether that data is related to health outcomes, head counts, or menu prices -- we tend to neglect the relative strength of the evidence and treat it as simply binary, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Jgl29V

Tetris: It could be the salve for a worried mind

(University of California - Riverside) The venerable video game Tetris was used in a recent experiment to create a state of 'flow' -- the term psychologists use to describe a state of mind so engaged it makes the rest of the world fall away, and time pass more quickly. UCR researcher Kate Sweeny and her team have found that state of perfect disengagement may improve the otherwise-emotionally unpleasant experience of awaiting uncertain news. The participants who achieved flow - those in the adaptive group - experienced less negative emotion.

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Good news for immersive journalism: Look at your audience

(Frontiers) A joint study by the BBC, UCL and the University of Barcelona shows that in virtual reality news experiences, basic interactivity can increase buy-in without compromising faithful reporting.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2JhGbAk

Ecolabelling no help in sustainable seafood sales

(Norwegian University of Science and Technology) When researchers tested how ecolabels for sustainably harvested seafood would affect shopping choices in Germany and Norway, they found that customers bought significantly more seafood overall -- including options that were not sustainably harvested.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2O5K786

Study identifies factors that predict opposition to the Black Lives Matter Movement

(Crime and Justice Research Alliance) A new study looked at a nationally representative sample of Americans to identify factors related to individuals (e.g., political affiliation, gender) and states (e.g., voting patterns) that predict opposition to Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2PkSl0W

New study shows advertizing for alcohol is prevalent in UK television

(Oxford University Press USA) A new study in the Journal of Public Health indicates that advertising for alcohol is common in British television, and may be a potential driver of alcohol use in young people.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2POiRg1

Liverwort plants contain a painkiller similar to the one in marijuana

Cannabinoids found in liverwort plants could spell relief for those suffering from chronic pain.

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Stress can impair memory, reduce brain size in middle age, study finds

(University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio) Stress may be causing impaired memory and brain shrinkage in middle-age adults, even before symptoms of Alzheimer's or other dementia begin, according to a new study that included a researcher from UT Health San Antonio.

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Governor's office funds two UTA projects through crime victims grant

(University of Texas at Arlington) The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $500,000 grant from the Office of the Governor that fund two projects that aid crime victims and the services that help them.The governor's Criminal Justice Division awarded $418,000 to UTA's Police Department to fund campus victim services and about $100,000 to the School of Social Work to evaluate the programs that crime victims use.

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Hispanics face significant racial discrimination in New York City's rental housing market

(Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs) Hispanics experience significant levels of racial discrimination in the rental housing market, according to a new study. Compared to whites, they are 28 percent less likely to have a landlord return their calls and 49 percent less likely to receive an offer at all.

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Study finds glyphosate in cat and dog food

(Cornell University) A new Cornell study published this month in Environmental Pollution finds that glyphosate, the active herbicidal ingredient in widely used weed killers like Roundup, was present at low levels in a variety of dog and cat foods the researchers purchased at stores. Before you go switching Fido or Fluffy's favorite brand, however, be aware that the amounts of the herbicide found correspond to levels currently considered safe for humans.

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New test measures men's fertility

(Cornell University) At a time when more than half of male infertility cannot be explained by current methods, a new test developed by Androvia LifeSciences is able to measure male fertility. The proprietary Cap-Score Male Fertility Assay is based on research patented by the Travis lab at the Baker Institute for Animal Health and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine and was recently the subject of a study that appeared in the journal Molecular Reproduction and Development.

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Cannabis pain relief without the 'high'

(McGill University Health Centre) In the wake of cannabis legalization, a team of scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University have delivered encouraging news for chronic pain sufferers by pinpointing the effective dose of marijuana plant extract cannabidiol (CBD) for safe pain relief without the typical 'high' or euphoria produced by the THC. The findings of their study have been published in the journal PAIN (The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2D0hEzP

Ancient Clovis people may have taken tool cues from earlier Americans

Ancient Americans’ spearpoints may have heralded later Clovis weapons.

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Hurricane Katrina's linguistic transformation on New Orleanians

(Virginia Tech) In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Carmichael's research has focused on understanding the deeper linguistic changes that occurred because of the storm.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2EI7Go6

New projectile point style could suggest two separate migrations into North America

(American Association for the Advancement of Science) Through excavation of a site in Texas, researchers have identified a particular style of projectile point -- or triangular blade often attached to a weapon that would be thrown -- dated between 13,500 and 15,500 years ago, they say. This is earlier than typical Clovis-style technologies dated to 13,000 years ago.

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A new palm-sized drone is mini, but mighty

Unlike other small drones, this flying robot can tote objects up to 40 times its own weight.

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Why some people may be more susceptible to deadly C. difficile infections

Proline, a type of amino acid, increases when gut microbe mixes are disturbed, giving this pathogen a ready food source.

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Autonomous vehicles and moral decisions: What do online communities think?

(CNRS) In 2016, researchers at CNRS, MIT, Harvard University and the University of British Columbia launched the 'Moral Machine' online platform to ask users about moral dilemmas facing us in the development of autonomous vehicles. The researchers gathered 40 million decisions from millions of web users worldwide. The results show global moral preferences that may guide decision makers and companies in the future. The analysis of this data was published in Nature on October 24, 2018.

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How should autonomous vehicles be programmed?

(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) A massive new survey developed by MIT researchers reveals some distinct global preferences concerning the ethics of autonomous vehicles, as well as some regional variations in those preferences.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2PUAHy8

Anti-aging molecule NAD+ gets a boost from blocking an enzyme

(Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Scientists at EPFL have found a new way to boost the famous anti-aging molecule NAD+ in the kidney and liver by blocking an enzyme that limits its production. Publishing in Nature, the researchers have also developed two enzyme blockers that are shown to protect against kidney and liver disease.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2PlaeNd

Messing with fruit flies’ gut bacteria turns them into speed walkers

Without the right gut microbes, fruit flies walk faster and take shorter rests, results that highlight a new connection between the gut and brain.

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FSU researchers find low resilience puts men at risk for depression

(Florida State University) Men who lack resilience are exponentially more vulnerable to becoming severely depressed after their spouse dies, according to a new study from Florida State University researchers.

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Researchers to enhance guidelines for ethical human-animal chimera research

(Case Western Reserve University) Insoo Hyun, PhD, and colleagues will identify ways of improving existing guidelines and ensuring professional accountability and responsibility in human-animal chimera research. The interdisciplinary bioethics project is supported by a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2z0bStp

Anti-Trump women's group used Facebook & email to secretly organize in rural Texas

(International Communication Association) Disagreeing with the political views of the majority in your community can feel isolating, and even frightening. Sometimes dissenting from the community, and instead connecting with like minded individuals seems like a far better, and safer option. That is what 136 women, who voted for Hillary Clinton, secretly did in rural Texas, USA. A recent study by a researcher at University of Texas at Austin explored how these women connected, why they chose to organize secretly, and how this affected their political image

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Individual stress susceptibility and glucose metabolism are linked to brain function

(Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz) Researchers at the Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Mainz University Medical Center and the German Resilience Center (DRZ) in Mainz have now discovered that stress-induced mental disturbances in mice are directly linked to abnormal glucose metabolism. Normalizing the stress-induced alterations in glucose levels, using the anti-diabetic drug empagliflozin, restored spatial memory as well as long-term glucose metabolism.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2yxXj0V

Digital device overload linked to how first impressions are formed

(Rice University) Beware, media multitaskers: New research from Rice University researchers has found a link between spending too much time on digital devices and how first impression are formed.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2R9YWbL

Army scientists develop computational model to predict human behavior

(U.S. Army Research Laboratory) Army researchers have developed for the first time an analytic model to show how groups of people influence individual behavior.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2q8Hnxi

Drug improves survival in metastatic breast cancer

(Northwestern University) The drug palbociclib, used in combination with standard treatment, improved survival for women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, according to a large phase III clinical trial.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2yxTnNH

The APS rewards INRS professor for his involvement in developing countries

(Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS) Capitalizing on his vision of societal development based on sharing scientific knowledge, Professor Federico Rosei of INRS has devoted much of his career to providing ongoing support to scientists from developing countries. The American Physical Society (APS) has recognized his exemplary commitment by presenting him with the 2019 John Wheatley Award for his efforts and achievements in education and research in developing countries.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2R6lv18

A new model for how working memory gets you through the day

(Picower Institute at MIT) MIT neuroscientists present a new model of working memory that explains how the brain holds information in mind (the 'memory' part) and also executes volitional control over it (the 'working' part).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2q7mum3

Study: Racism, sexual assault contribute to college mental health challenges

(North Carolina State University) A text mining analysis of academic and news articles related to mental health issues in higher education finds that racism, violence and sexual assault are key contributors to mental health challenges for students. The research also highlights the need for mental health services, and outlines some ways that mobile technologies may be able to help address these needs.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2PU72Fs

Mary Robinson awarded Kew International Medal

(Royal Botanic Gardens Kew) Mary Robinson has been awarded the prestigious Kew International Medal for work on food security and climate justice

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2EHE9uK

Brain-eating amoebae halted by silver nanoparticles

(American Chemical Society) Halloween is just around the corner, and some people will celebrate by watching scary movies about brain-eating zombies. But even more frightening are real-life parasites that feed on the human brain, and they can be harder to kill than their horror-movie counterparts. Now, researchers have developed silver nanoparticles coated with anti-seizure drugs that can kill brain-eating amoebae while sparing human cells. The researchers report their results in ACS Chemical Neuroscience.

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New clinical protocol after general surgery cuts opioid prescribing in half

(Lawson Health Research Institute) Recognizing the role that opioid prescribing plays in the opioid crisis, a team of researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University have developed a new clinical protocol called STOP Narcotics.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2CFLA2S

Loss of first baby tooth a positive experience for children

(University of Zurich) Scared, ashamed, happy or proud -- how do children feel when they lose their first baby tooth? An interdisciplinary research group at the University of Zurich has now found that children's feelings are predominantly positive. The study also reveals that previous visits to the dentist's as well as parental background and level of education affect how children experience the loss of their first tooth.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2Ar3UM1

Air pollution and noise increase risk for heart attacks

(Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute) Air pollution and transportation noise are both associated with an increased risk of heart attacks. Studies on air pollution, which do not take into account traffic noise, tend to overestimate the long-term effect of air pollution on heart attacks. These are the results of a study conducted by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, and published today in the European Heart Journal.

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Choice architecture for architecture choices

(University of Portsmouth) New research, led by the University of Portsmouth, could help decision makers make more effective choices when designing social housing initiatives.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2RaPJQv

2018 NCRI Cancer Conference

(National Cancer Research Institute) 2018 NCRI Cancer Conference -- the UK's largest cancer conference is only a few weeks away. It will take place from Sunday 4 to Tuesday 6 November in Glasgow, UK. Registration for bona fide journalists is free.

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Researchers make mice lose weight by imitating effects from cold and nicotine

(University of Copenhagen The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) Inspired by some of the effects from winter swimming and smoking, researchers from the University of Copenhagen, among others, have found a way to improve the metabolism of mice and make them lose weight. They have done so by stimulating the body's so-called cold and nicotinic receptors.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2ApRxQ9

Free online casino games linked with higher risks of gambling problems for young people

(Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) A new CAMH study shows that free gambling-themed games may be a gateway to paid gambling for young people, and gameplay is linked with a higher risk of gambling problems among some adolescents. Called social casino games, they let people try their hand at casino table games, slots, poker or bingo without betting real money. Nearly one in eight high school students said they had played social casino games in the past three months.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2ApuZPG

Political competition is hurting our charitable giving

(Brigham Young University) As the midterm election heats up and the fallout of the Supreme Court nomination rings across the political divide, a new study presents a unique angle of American politics: how party affiliation affects charitable donations. Researchers representing four institutions found voters who live in counties where political competition is high give less to charity.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2PQyS5d

Air pollution leads to millions of ER visits for asthma attacks worldwide

(George Washington University) Nine to 33 million visits to the emergency room (ER) for asthma worldwide may be triggered by breathing in air polluted by ozone or fine particulate matter -- pollutants that can enter the lung's deep airways, according to a study published today.

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Irish Famine victims' heavy smoking led to dental decay, new research reveals

(University of Otago) Irish Famine victims were heavy smokers which caused badly rotten teeth, researchers from the University of Otago and Queen's University Belfast, in Ireland, have discovered.

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Computers use social media data to predict crime

(RMIT University) Researchers used location and activity data from users of the Foursquare app in New York City and Brisbane, coupled it with recommendation algorithms, and predicted specific crimes more accurately than ever before.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2D0JrjB

Research supports the ump, distance to a close play is critical in making the right call

(Arizona State University) New research from Arizona State University is showing that when it comes to the bang-bang plays in baseball viewing distance from the play is critical for judging what actually happened. In other words, the umpire being much closer to the action is in a better position to make the right call compared to a fan in the stands 100 or 200 feet away.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2JiiFDC

HPTN 075 study demonstrates high rate of HIV infection among African MSM and TGW

(FHI360) HPTN 075 study demonstrates high rate of HIV infection among African men who have sex with men and transgender women. The incidence among study participants was substantially higher than the estimated incidence among heterosexual men and women in the general population in the same countries.

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Study reveals how the brain overcomes its own limitations

(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) MIT neuroscientists have discovered how the brain tries to compensate for its poor performance in tasks that require complicated mental transformations.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2OHZcC9

Data does the heavy lifting: Encouraging new public health approaches to promote the health benefits of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE)

(Elsevier) According to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, almost 75 percent of US adults do not comply with public health guidelines recommending two or more muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) sessions a week, with nearly 60 percent of the population doing no MSE at all. Using the data from a nationally representative sample of US adults, the investigators also linked low-to-moderately frequent MSE with fewer reported health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

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Hurricane Willa breaks an eastern and central Pacific storm season record

The combined might of eastern and central Pacific hurricanes produced a record-breaking year of storm energy.

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Managing high blood pressure in diabetics may prevent life-threatening organ damage

(Rutgers University) For diabetics, managing high blood pressure may help to prevent life-threatening organ damage according to a Rutgers study. The study findings suggest that extremely high blood pressure, not just diabetes, is responsible for severe organ damage due to hypertensive emergencies in African-Americans with diabetes.

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Anti-terrorism education effort wins $1 million from US Department of Justice

(University of Massachusetts Lowell) A team of UMass Lowell students, graduates and researchers working to stop young people from joining terrorist organizations has been awarded $1 million from the US Department of Justice to support that goal.

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Flavored capsule cigarettes pose a threat to smokefree goals

(University of Otago) New research from ASPIRE2025, a University of Otago research theme, challenges tobacco companies' claims they are working towards a smokefree world and suggests young people are vulnerable to tobacco companies' product innovations.

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Perot Museum leaders, paleoanthropologist Lee Berger unveil Dinaledi virtual reality app

(Perot Museum of Nature and Science) Renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger and Perot Museum of Nature and Science leaders, in partnership with University of the Witwatersrand, today announced a world-first virtual reality app to view some of the most famous ancient human fossils in scientific history. Experience the South African cave where a team led by Berger discovered Homo naledi, a new species of ancient human relative. Search Perot Museum for free download in the Google Play and Apple App Store.

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OU sociologist examines attitudes toward LGT individuals in new study

(University of Oklahoma) A University of Oklahoma sociologist, Meredith G. F. Worthen, examines how measures of social contact and social distancing relate to attitudes toward lesbian, gay and transgender individuals in a new study. Worthen uses a scale she developed and data from college students in the United States (Oklahoma and Texas), Italy and Spain to offer the first cross-cultural comparisons of attitudes toward transgender people in the United States and European Union.

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Perot Museum leaders, paleoanthropologist Lee Berger unveil dinaledi virtual reality App

(Perot Museum of Nature and Science) Renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger and Perot Museum of Nature and Science leaders, in partnership with University of the Witwatersrand, today announced a world-first virtual reality app to view some of the most famous ancient human fossils in scientific history. Experience the South African cave where a team led by Berger discovered Homo naledi, a new species of ancient human relative. Search Perot Museum for free download in the Google Play and Apple App Store.

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Symposium explores new ways for pediatricians to harness technology for best patient care

(American Academy of Pediatrics) The Pediatrics for the 21st Century symposium, "Leveraging New Technologies to Transform Child Health," kicks off the American Academy of Pediatrics 2018 National Conference & Exhibition on Friday, Nov. 2, in Orlando.

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American Academy of Pediatrics announces 2018 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando

(American Academy of Pediatrics) More than 11,000 pediatric healthcare providers will gather in Orlando Nov. 2-6 for the 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, featuring cutting-edge pediatric research and state-of-the-art technologies that improve child health care.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science https://ift.tt/2NUwZ5T

Measuring immigrant integration

(Stanford University - Immigration Policy Lab ) Researchers at the Immigration Policy Lab at Stanford University and ETH Zurich developed a new pragmatic survey tool to measure immigrant integration. The IPL Integration Index provides researchers, policymakers, and service providers with quick and easy to implement survey modules to measure various dimensions of integration. The measure is available in a 12-item short form (IPL-12) and 24-item long form (IPL-24).

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