'More work needed' for new IVF technique

(University of Leeds) Treating male infertility using a new IVF technique called PICSI, which is already offered in some private clinics, does not increase the likelihood of having a baby, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Rx4Dk5

Climate change might not slow ocean circulation as much as thought

New measurements may call for a rethink of what controls ocean circulation in the North Atlantic.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2Gfi1HA

When neurons get the blues: Hyperactive brain cells may be to blame when antidepressants don't work

(Salk Institute) The most commonly prescribed antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), lift the fog of depression for many people. But for around a third of people with major depressive disorder, SSRIs don't make much of a difference. Now, researchers from the Salk Institute have pinned down a possible reason why -- the neurons in at least some of these patients' brains may become hyperactive in the presence of the drugs. The study appeared in Molecular Psychiatry on Jan. 30, 2019.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2GbvxvC

Progress with geriatrics legislation highlights collaboration for care as we age

(American Geriatrics Society) he American Geriatrics Society today offered a ringing endorsement of the bipartisan Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act, a proposal in the US Senate to ensure communities across the US have access to health professionals and other critical supports improving care for us all as we age.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Tqsof5

Army scientists win award for research on reducing risk for soldiers

(U.S. Army Research Laboratory) Researchers from the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, the Army's corporate research laboratory, have been awarded the Publication Award from the International Test and Evaluation Association for their contributions to test and evaluation, or T&E, procedures that will better equip and protect soldiers in combat.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Gck3YN

Looking to choose a healthy post-workout snack? Decide early, study says

(University of Nebraska-Lincoln) A post-exercise snack can threaten to undo the gains (or losses) of a workout. But the decision itself may depend on when you make it, according to a new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Participants asked to choose between an apple and brownie were about one-third more likely to favor the fruit when deciding before vs. after their workouts.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2GeJoBe

'Working rich' prevail among today's top earners

(Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs) Many blame idle millionaires for the rise in income inequality, but today's top earners are actually the 'working rich,' according to a new working paper co-authored by Princeton University.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G1Tpmh

Persistent low body weight in young kids increases risk for anorexia nervosa later

(University of North Carolina Health Care) A new study has found that a persistent low body mass index (BMI) in children, starting as young as age 2 for boys and 4 for girls, may be a risk factor for the development of anorexia nervosa in adolescence.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MHSvfc

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover weighed the mountain it’s climbing

Curiosity measures gravity as it drives, allowing scientists to weigh Mount Sharp and determine that the rock is less dense than expected.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2UtoX7F

This bacteria-fighting protein also induces sleep

A bacteria-fighting protein also lulls fruit flies to sleep, suggesting links between sleep and the immune system.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2HVja9J

Feeding tubes shouldn't be on POLST forms: JAGS opinion paper

(Oregon Health & Science University) Following years of research that demonstrated feeding tubes can harm patients with dementia, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has published an OHSU opinion paper recommending patient preference for feeding tubes be excluded from Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST, forms. The paper was published after Oregon became the first state to remove the feeding tube section from its POLST form Jan. 2, 2019.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sWflqe

UMD study finds exercise benefits brains, changes blood flow in older adults

(University of Maryland) Exercise training alters brain blood flow and improves cognitive performance in older adults, though not in the way you might think. A new study published by University of Maryland School of Public Health researchers in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease showed that exercise was associated with improved brain function in a group of adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and a decrease in the blood flow in key brain regions.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Gexw28

Imperceptible movements guide juvenile zebra finch song development

(Cornell University) New research from Cornell University shows zebra finches engage in socially guided vocal learning, where they learn their songs by watching their mothers' reactions to their immature songs.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G1epcz

Mean streets: Self-driving cars will 'cruise' to avoid paying to park

(University of California - Santa Cruz) If you think traffic in city centers is bad now, just wait until self-driving cars emerge on the scene, cruising around to avoid paying hefty downtown parking fees.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2GeygEs

Medical cannabis relieves symptoms in children with autism

(American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) Overall, after six months of treatment, 30 percent of patients reported a significant improvement, 53.7 percent reported moderate improvement, and only 15 percent had slight or no change. Quality of life, mood and ability to perform activities of daily living were assessed prior to treatment and at six months. Good quality of life was reported by 31.3 percent of patients prior to treatment initiation. At six months, good quality of life more than doubled to 66.8 percent.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2GdMAgL

For older people, medications are common; AGS Beers Criteria aims to make them appropriate, too

(American Geriatrics Society) The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today unveiled its latest update to one of geriatrics' most frequently cited reference tools: The AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. A compendium of medications potentially to avoid or consider with caution because they often present an unfavorable balance of benefits and harms for older people, the AGS Beers Criteria® plays a vital role in helping health professionals, older adults, and caregivers work together to ensure medications are appropriate.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TqUjM4

Survivors of a firearm injury at risk for subsequent hospitalizations

(Boston University School of Medicine) Ten percent of firearm injury survivors will be readmitted to the hospital for further treatment within 90 days of their original injuries.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2BdfJVI

Springer Nature now offers KBART Automated Holdings Feeds for discovery services

(Springer) As of now, Springer Nature provides its customers with KBART Automation for knowledge bases and discovery services. KBART Automation is a highly beneficial service for libraries and research institutions, which helps to streamline their processes with minimum manual work involved. Springer Nature currently allows for KBART Automation of SpringerLink content to OCLC, Ex Libris' SFX and Alma.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UwVwRZ

A correlation found between psychiatric disorders and events during the prenatal stag

(Aarhus University) Particular genetic variants in the human genome that are important for the development of the brain early in the life of the foetus are frequently found in psychiatric disorders. This is shown by a study carried out by iPSYCH.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2WA3rQn

Hurricane Katrina's aftermath included spike in heart disease hospitalizations

(Tufts University, Health Sciences Campus) Hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease rose precipitously in Orleans and Jefferson parishes after Hurricane Katrina. The increase in rates lasted for more than one month after landfall and rates were higher among the older black population, compared to the older white population.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2WFzyOS

Researchers uncover intracellular longevity pathway

(Baylor College of Medicine) Researchers discovered an intracellular pathway that promotes health and longevity in the worm C. elegans.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G1xGed

Learning new vocabulary during deep sleep

(University of Bern) Researchers of the University of Bern, Switzerland, showed that we can acquire the vocabulary of a new language during distinct phases of slow-wave sleep and that the sleep-learned vocabulary could be retrieved unconsciously following waking. Memory formation appeared to be mediated by the same brain structures that also mediate wake vocabulary learning.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Gbyhcy

Discovery points to innovative new way to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy

(The Ottawa Hospital) Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have discovered a new way to treat the loss of muscle function caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy in animal models of the disease. As reported in Cell Stem Cell, the team restored muscle stem cell function that is impaired in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, resulting in efficient regeneration of the muscle and preventing the progressive loss of muscle strength characteristic of the disease.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2GbyfkW

Pinpointing the cells that control the brain's memory flow

(The Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University) From the cab driver heading for Times Square to the commuter returning home on the freeway, we all carry maps in our head labeled with important locations. And a new Columbia study in mice shows that, by directing the delicate ebb-and-flow of brain activity, a small cluster of cells helps the brain's internal GPS remember which places matter most.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G2O120

Ancient asteroid impacts played a role in creation of Earth's future continents

(University of the Witwatersrand) The heavy bombardment of terrestrial planets by asteroids from space has contributed to the formation of the early evolved crust on Earth that later gave rise to continents - home to human civilization.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2RuMy6a

Giant pandas may have only recently switched to eating mostly bamboo

Giant pandas may have switched to an exclusive bamboo diet some 5,000 years ago, not 2 million years ago as previously thought.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2GcSZbQ

Scientists shed light on processes behind age-related decline in brain structures

(Cardiff University) Ageing can cause damage to support cells in the white matter, which in turn may lead to damage in the grey matter of the hippocampus, finds a new study by Cardiff University.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sW09cP

BDNF-VEGF interplay key to rapid antidepressant actions

(Elsevier) A study by researchers at Yale University reveals a complex interplay of two different growth factors in the rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effects of ketamine.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2WzXl2r

Sleep apnea creates gaps in life memories: Study

(RMIT University) Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is estimated to affect over 936 million people worldwide, and people with OSA are known to suffer memory problems and depression. New research builds on the known links between depression and memory, finding that people with untreated OSA have problems recalling specific details about their lives.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RutxAv

5TONIC lab develops open platform for multi-site NFV experimentation

(IMDEA Networks Institute) The 5TONIC co-creation laboratory in Madrid has successfully designed and deployed an open Management and Network Orchestration (MANO) platform based on ETSI's open source management solution (OSM) that is capable of deploying services across multiple sites.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Ru9T7Q

New knowledge could help predict and prevent depression

(Aarhus University) In a new study, researchers from the Danish iPSYCH project demonstrate that people with the highest genetic propensity are over two and a half times as likely to be treated in a psychiatric hospital for depression compared to people with the lowest propensity. This knowledge could be utilised to strengthen preventative efforts for those who are at risk.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2GceQjD

UN University compares technologies that remove arsenic from groundwater

(Terry Collins Assoc) A UN University study compares for the first time the effectiveness and costs of many different technologies designed to remove arsenic from groundwater -- a health threat to at least 140 million people in 50 countries.Released by UNU's Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health, the report draws on 31 peer-reviewed, comparable research papers published between 1996 and 2018, each describing new technologies tested in laboratories and/or in field studies.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HUQYDV

Risk aversion rises with violent crime

(University of Colorado Denver) Fear in the wake of violent conflicts causes people to take fewer risks, which may come at the expense of bettering their lives and the economy. University of Colorado Denver researchers looked at longitudinal survey data taken before and after the onset of the Mexican war on drugs and found a causal link between the fear of violence and its impact on the risk-taking attitudes of individuals living in affected communities.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Gdi869

No, we don’t know that gum disease causes Alzheimer’s

A recent study linked gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease, but the results are far from conclusive.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2S00Roj

Exercise may fight depression in older adults, study suggests

(American Physiological Society) New research suggests that exercise-induced muscle changes could help boost mood in older adults. The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology -- Cell Physiology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UrWcIv

Cancer causes premature ageing

(University of East Anglia) New research shows that cancer causes premature ageing.Researchers studied Leukaemia, and found that it promotes premature ageing in healthy bone marrow cells.It is well known that ageing promotes cancer development. But this is the first time that the reverse has been shown to be true.Importantly, the aged bone marrow cells accelerated the growth and development of the leukaemia -- creating a vicious cycle that fuels the disease.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Gg3WcV

Females find social interactions to be more rewarding than males, study reveals

(Georgia State University) Females find same-sex social interactions to be more rewarding than males, and females are more sensitive to the rewarding actions of oxytocin than males, according to a research study led by Georgia State University on the brain mechanisms that determine the rewarding properties of social interactions.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TmIgiZ

Athletes can rest easy: Extreme exercise does not raise heart disease risk or mortality

(UT Southwestern Medical Center) High volumes of exercise are safe, even when coronary calcium levels are high.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TnXYdo

How a one-hour 'planting party' lifts spirits, builds skills among women in prison

(University of Washington) Exposure to nature, even through a brief gardening activity, can improve well-being among women in prison, a UW Tacoma-led study finds.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G9c6n4

Researchers identify high-risk areas for infant deaths in Harris County

(University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) To help Harris County target its preventive strategies for sudden unexpected infant death, researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have identified areas of the county where these tragic deaths are most likely to occur.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FXkdE1

Difference in brain connectivity may explain autism spectrum disorder

(University of Alabama at Birmingham) Researchers have identified a possible mechanism of human cognition that underlies autism spectrum disorders, or ASD. They found there was brain overconnectivity in the unimodal-subcortical connections and brain underconnectivity in the supramodal-subcortical connections for ASD individuals, as compared to the typically developing control group, suggesting a relationship between connectivity and the expression of ASD.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HGCvLy

To solve pollinator health crisis, state governments are key, MU study finds

(University of Missouri-Columbia) For the first time, researchers at the University of Missouri have catalogued every pollinator protection policy enacted by state governments from 2000-2017. The resulting database of information allows everyone from legislators to the general public to study how state lawmakers have addressed the pollinator health crisis over time.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2SijNxY

A new kind of thinking cap: Using brain imaging to improve personalized learning

(Worcester Polytechnic Institute) A research team led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute computer science assistant professor Erin Solovey is working to develop a system that could extract information on student's engagement and emotional state by merging computer science with neuroscience. Through a collaborative $1 million National Science Foundation grant, researchers will explore the use of sensors to measure brain activity during learning. They will then compare that information with student log data to understand important mental activities.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HDKOaU

Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time

(Association for Psychological Science) Longitudinal data from adolescents and young adults show no evidence that social media use predicts later depressive symptoms, according to research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. However, the findings do show that relatively higher depressive symptoms predicted later social media use among adolescent girls.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UtLbGC

Most people overlook artificial intelligence despite flawless advice

(U.S. Army Research Laboratory) A team of researchers including Dr. James Schaffer, scientist for RDECOM's Army Research Laboratory, the Army's corporate research laboratory (ARL) stationed at ARL West in Playa Vista, California, recently discovered that most people overlook artificial intelligence despite flawless advice. AI-like systems will be an integral part of the Army's strategy over the next five years, so system designers will need to start getting a bit more creative in order to appeal to users.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Ru5l1a

Baboons provide new insights into the evolution of the genome

(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) A team of researchers including scientists from Vetmeduni Vienna investigated the process of evolutionary diversification by looking at six baboon species. The results of the study provide exciting new insights into the evolution of the genome - including that of humans.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2RWleme

Sexing ancient cremated human remains is possible through skeletal measurements

(PLOS) Ancient cremated human remains, despite being deformed, still retain sexually diagnostic physical features, according to a study released Jan. 30, 2019 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Claudio Cavazzuti of Durham University, UK and colleagues. The authors provide a statistical approach for identifying traits that distinguish male and female remains within a population.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2CUtzwm

Researchers call for big data infrastructure to support future of personalized medicine

(George Washington University) Researchers from the George Washington University, the US Food and Drug Administration, and industry leaders published in PLOS Biology, describing a standardized communication method for researchers performing high-throughput sequencing called BioCompute.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2BcaKVD

Puerto Rico's 'fear lab' mentors neuroscience rigor amid diversity

(NIH/National Institute of Mental Health) A lineage of young neuroscientists from diverse backgrounds trace their scientific roots to a 'fear lab' in Puerto Rico that the National Institutes of Health has been supporting for two decades. A crucible for studies of fear extinction, the lab has so far published 80 papers -- some the first ever from Puerto Rico for certain journals. Of 130 trainees to date, 90 percent are from Puerto Rico and Latin America and half are women.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RrVIQy

New studies reveal deep history of archaic humans in southern Siberia

(University of Oxford) Oxford University scientists have played a key role in new research identifying the earliest evidence of some of the first known humans -- Denisovans and Neanderthals, in southern Siberia.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UoxsAI

New studies reveal deep history of archaic humans in southern Siberia

(University of Oxford) Oxford University scientists have played a key role in new research identifying the earliest evidence of some of the first known humans -- Denisovans and Neanderthals, in southern Siberia.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2UoxsAI

New dates narrow down when Denisovans and Neandertals crossed paths

Mysterious ancient hominids called Denisovans and their Neandertal cousins periodically occupied the same cave starting around 200,000 years ago.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2WsqRHq

Researchers find antidepressants significantly raise risk of GI, intracranial bleeding

(American Osteopathic Association) Nearly 13 percent of Americans 12 years and older take an antidepressant, and SSRIs are among the most frequently prescribed because they are relatively low-cost, effective and safe. However, patients taking these drugs are 40 percent more likely to develop severe gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly when they also use common over-the-counter pain relievers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RZHlbk

First study to find digital ads work, on millennials

(Virginia Tech) 'This is first time we found that digital ads do something and what they do is they increase voter turnout among millennials in municipal elections.' said Haenschen.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RWRGF3

A new AI training program helps robots own their ignorance

AI systems struggle to know what they don’t know. Now scientists have created a way to help autonomous machines recognize their blind spots.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2sZXfDD

Extremely high blood pressure in African-Americans is 5 times the national average

(Rutgers University) Extremely high blood pressure that leads to strokes, heart attacks and acute kidney damage, classified as hypertensive emergency, is five times higher in inner-city African-American patients than the national average, according to a recent study co-led by a Rutgers researcher.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DHYDBl

Taking the bite out of snake venom

(American Chemical Society) According to the World Health Organization, about 100,000 people die from venomous snakebites every year. Many of these fatalities occur in rural areas of developing countries that lack access to antivenoms. That's why researchers are looking for new snakebite antidotes that are easier to make and deploy to remote areas, explains an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Utfflz

Want healthier eating habits? Start with a workout

(University of Texas at Austin) Researchers have found that formerly sedentary young adults who were instructed to exercise regularly for several weeks started choosing healthier foods without being asked to.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DJsXew

Structural colors, without the shimmer

(American Chemical Society) Structural colors, like those found in some butterflies' wings, birds' feathers and beetles' backs, resist fading because they don't absorb light like dyes and pigments. However, the iridescence that enhances their beauty in nature is not always desirable for some applications, such as paints, color displays or printer inks. Now, researchers have developed a new method to produce structural colors that don't change with the angle of viewing. They report their results in ACS Omega.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2WvrbVO

Mental health disorders common following mild head injury

(NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) A new study reveals that approximately 1 in 5 individuals may experience mental health symptoms up to six months after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), suggesting the importance of follow-up care for these patients. Scientists also identified factors that may increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or major depressive disorder following mild mTBI or concussion through analysis of the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) study cohort.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Rqsvpt

Is coronary artery calcification in highly active people like marathon runners associated with increased risk of death?

(JAMA Network) Some studies have suggested that people with high levels of physical activity way beyond current physical activity guidelines, such as marathon runners, can have significant build-up of calcium in the arteries of their heart called coronary artery calcification (CAC). But data are limited about the risk of death in these highly active people with CAC. This study included nearly 22,000 men (average age almost 52) with varying levels of self-reported physical activity and who underwent CAC scanning.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HNRIuu

Chinese ‘tweets’ hint that happiness drops as air pollution rises

A study of more than 210 million social media posts reveals a link between people’s sense of well-being and pollution.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2GcUZRC

New study shows how vegans, vegetarians and omnivores feel about eating insects

(University of Eastern Finland) Many non-vegan vegetarians and omnivores are open to including insects in their diet. For vegans, however, that is not an option, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. Researchers examined consumers' intentions to consume foods of insect origin among vegans, non-vegan vegetarians and omnivores. They examined the attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and food neophobia toward the consumption of foods of insect origin, as well as the conditions for eating insect-based foods among these dietary groups.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HECJmh

Fexinidazole, the first all-oral treatment for sleeping sickness, approved in DRC

(Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative) Fexinidazole will contribute to international efforts to eliminate sleeping sickness, a fatal neglected tropical disease endemic to Africa, by 2020 It is the first all-oral treatment for sleeping sickness, and is effective for both stages of the disease. Democratic Republic of Congo bears the majority of the sleeping sickness disease burden, with around 85 percent of reported cases.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2SaQopm

The first spontaneous animal model of human hypophosphatasia uncovered

(University of Helsinki) A gene defect identified in Karelian Bear Dogs causes a severe bone disease. A gene test has been developed for diagnostic and breeding purposes.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HSjR3B

Architects of Middle Eastern research center receive 2019 AAAS Award for Science Diplomacy

(American Association for the Advancement of Science) Five scientists who made central contributions to the founding and development of the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East laboratory, an institution that has established an unprecedented level of scientific cooperation between political adversaries in a region formerly lacking a major international research center, have been selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science to receive its 2019 Award for Science Diplomacy.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HHQ2T1

This robot learned not to mess with other people’s stuff

Ownership-respecting robots could soon understand the difference between chucking a Styrofoam cup and someone’s favorite mug.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2Gavy2X

New study sheds light on illegal wildlife trade in Hong Kong

(The University of Hong Kong) A study focusing on the type and volume of seizures relating to illegal wildlife trade in Hong Kong over the last five years, documented in the report, 'Trading in Extinction: The Dark Side of Hong Kong's Wildlife Trade,' illustrate the city's central role in global wildlife trafficking and the extent and nature of the associated criminality. It identifies clearly, how future policy and enforcement could be improved to provide the urgently required long-term sustainability.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sX6jJE

Maestro's techniques

(Wiley) Rembrandt van Rijn's paintings are renowned for their masterful representations of light and shadow and a characteristic plasticity generated by a technique called impasto. Now, scientists have analyzed impasto layers in some of Rembrandt's paintings, and the study, which is published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, reveals that the impasto unexpectedly contains a very rare lead mineral called plumbonacrite. This finding suggests that Rembrandt used a unique paint recipe.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sX60yu

UBC research examines living well while dying

(University of British Columbia Okanagan campus) A UBC professor has determined that people diagnosed with terminal cancer -- who have hope, positivity and family support -- are able to live well during the advanced stage of the disease. Carole Robinson, professor emeritus with UBC Okanagan School of Nursing, recently published a paper explaining the process of living well with an awareness of dying.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TjBYQY

Modern humans replaced Neanderthals in southern Spain 44,000 years ago

(University of Córdoba) The University of Cordoba, in collaboration with the University of Granada, participated in an international study published today in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, proving that Neanderthals were replaced by modern humans in southern Iberia 5,000 years before than previously thought

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2Gc63y4

Major study could benefit 11 million Thai people living in vulnerable coastal zones

(Edge Hill University) Research which aims to improve understanding of the vulnerability of Thailand's shoreline and coastal communities to storms, floods and coastal erosion under future climate change scenarios is now underway.The study aims to enhance the resilience and adaptation potential of coastal communities, applying scientific research to inform more robust and cost-effective solutions.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2S0Dtaj

Babies who hear two languages at home develop advantages in attention

(York University) In the study, infants who are exposed to more than one language show better attentional control than infants who are exposed to only one language. This means that exposure to bilingual environments should be considered a significant factor in the early development of attention in infancy, the researchers say, and could set the stage for lifelong cognitive benefits.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G2fWzt

Layered cocktails inspire new form of male birth control

(American Chemical Society) For decades, women have shouldered most of the burden of contraception. However, long-term use of female birth control pills could increase the risk for side effects such as blood clots or breast cancer. Now, inspired by colorful layered cocktails, researchers have developed a medium-term, reversible male contraceptive. They report their results in the journal ACS Nano.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CWhgzT

Aging and chronic diseases share genetic factors, study reveals

(Gero) The study published today in Communications Biology used clinical and genomic data of 300,477 British individuals from UK Biobank to show that the most prevalent chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, dementia, and some others share the common underlying mechanism, that is aging itself, and discover genetic factors associated with healthspan, also known as healthy life expectancy.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2SgVssf

Ancient Mongolian skull is the earliest modern human yet found in the region

(University of Oxford) A much debated ancient human skull from Mongolia has been dated and genetically analyzed, showing that it is the earliest modern human yet found in the region, according to new research from the University of Oxford. Radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis have revealed that the only Pleistocene hominin fossil discovered in Mongolia, initially called Mongolanthropus, is in reality a modern human who lived approximately 34,000-35,000 years ago.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2MEeYJX

Your body image is impacted by those around you

(University of Waterloo) Spending time with people who are not preoccupied with their bodies can improve your own eating habits and body image, according to researchers from the University of Waterloo.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DHiv7j

Vitamin D could lower the risk of developing diabetes

(The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)) The benefits of vitamin D in promoting bone health are already well known. A new study out of Brazil suggests that vitamin D also may promote greater insulin sensitivity, thus lowering glucose levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Uw9iVj

New strategy expands the benefits of Internet-delivered CBT

(Karolinska Institutet) Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have experimented with a new adaptive treatment strategy for Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) that identifies patients within the first month who face a major risk of treatment failure. Published in the scientific journal American Journal of Psychiatry, the results also suggest that such patients may nevertheless benefit if their treatment is adjusted to accommodate their specific needs and challenges.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DHHzeC

BIDMC researchers ID, treat faulty brain circuitry underlying symptoms of schizophrenia

(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) In a first-of-its-kind study, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers determined the underlying anatomical cause of certain symptoms of schizophrenia, then ameliorated them with non-invasive brain stimulation. The scientists reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry that these symptoms arise from a breakdown in a network between the brain's prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum, and that non-invasive brain stimulation restored network function, which in turn improved schizophrenia's most debilitating symptoms.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Uw8TlL

Collective nostalgia makes people prefer domestic products

(University of California - Riverside) Nostalgia for events experienced by members of your own group can make you prefer domestic products over foreign ones, concludes the first systematic investigation into the effects of collective nostalgia on consumer decisions. The results could help countries bolster domestic industries without resorting to hard interventions, such as tariffs or international trade re-negotiations.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G08ODw

Care following opioid overdoses in West Virginia falls short

(Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health) Only a small fraction of people who had non-fatal opioid overdoses in West Virginia received treatment in the aftermath, a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2S9gysD

OU and Smithsonian address challenges of curating ancient biomolecules

(University of Oklahoma) University of Oklahoma researchers, led by Courtney Hofman and Rita Austin, in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, are addressing the challenges of curating ancient biomolecules and working toward the development and dissemination of best practices. In a recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Hofman and her collaborators suggest museums play a critical role among stakeholders in ancient biomolecules research and should be responsive to these concerns.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2UrhGVT

OU and Smithsonian address challenges of curating ancient biomolecules

(University of Oklahoma) University of Oklahoma researchers, led by Courtney Hofman and Rita Austin, in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, are addressing the challenges of curating ancient biomolecules and working toward the development and dissemination of best practices. In a recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Hofman and her collaborators suggest museums play a critical role among stakeholders in ancient biomolecules research and should be responsive to these concerns.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UrhGVT

Scientists name 66 species as potential biodiversity threats to EU

North America’s fox squirrel, the venomous striped eel catfish and 64 other species are now considered invasive in the European Union.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2G5Sy3b

SU2C awards 2019 Laura Ziskin Prize in Translational Research

(Stand Up To Cancer) Stand Up To Cancer awarded the 2019 Laura Ziskin Prize in Translational Research ($250,000 for one year) to Drs. Silvia Formenti of Weill Cornell Medicine Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center and Heather McArthur of Cedars Sinai to support collaboration using radiation and immunotherapy pre-operatively to help the body create its own vaccine to fight breast cancer, working with immunologists, bioinformatics specialists and biostatisticians. A clinical trial is in development.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2ML16Ol

Giving high school students the tools to question classic literature

(Iowa State University) Generations of students have read Shakespeare and Hemingway for high school literature class. Assigning these texts without questioning issues of race or gender may exclude students and make them feel their voices are not valued, says an Iowa State researcher.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DHAFGg

Book offers hope to parents of children who self-injure

(Cornell University) A new book by experts in self-injury offers parents hope: assurance that they didn't cause their child's self-injuring, and guidance on how they can become key allies in helping their child heal.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Rpop0A

RIT to collaborate with Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía to study pulsars

(Rochester Institute of Technology) Rochester Institute of Technology's Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation (CCRG) and Insituto Argentino de Radioastronomía (IAR) are beginning new systematic pulsar timing studies. RIT is helping IAR upgrade its two radio telescopes to get them operational again after decades without use.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2BbIqme

RIT Professor Carlos Lousto recognized as outstanding physicist diversifying the field

(Rochester Institute of Technology) The American Physical Society is recognizing Rochester Institute of Technology's Carlos Lousto for significant contributions to physics research and the advancement of underrepresented minority scientists.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TgiNrj

The GRE fails to identify students that will graduate and hurts diversity, new study finds

(Rochester Institute of Technology) A team of researchers led by RIT Professor Casey Miller discovered that traditional admissions metrics for physics Ph.D. programs such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) do not predict completion and hurt the growth of diversity in physics.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TlLVNU

The inaugural issue of Ethics & Human Research, January -- February 2019

(The Hastings Center) Now published: the first issue of Ethics & Human Research, replacing The Hastings Center's longstanding journal, IRB: Ethics & Human Research, is "widening the lens" on new ethical, policy and regulatory challenges raised by rapid developments in science and medicine.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2BjXwWX

Opioid addiction effects on bones is subject of NIJ research grant

(University of Akron) Thanks to a two-year grant of $370,153 from the National Institute of Justice, Dr. Janna Andronowski and her lab can research the effects of one of our country's costliest and fastest-growing epidemics--opioid addiction--on bone remodeling, the body's continuing process of formation and destruction of bone tissue. Andronowski and her team will use innovative 3D X-ray imaging technology to describe how opioids impact the microscopic bone structures used to estimate age-at-death in forensic anthropology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B5kkcv

Lower obesity rates linked with public transportation use, study shows

(University of Illinois College of Engineering) Public transportation systems provide numerous economic benefits for a community. An added public health bonus provided by such systems may be lower obesity rates. A new study by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Georgia Tech compared and analyzed county data from 2001 and 2009. They found that a single percentage-point increase in mass transit ridership is associated with a 0.473 percentage-point lower obesity rate in counties across the United States.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DGLRTp

Streaming chill vibes? Spotify data says the season is the reason

(Cornell University) Our music choices are influenced by season and time of day, and differ by gender, age, and geography, according to a new study from Cornell University.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UohNBx

Does the 'buddy system' approach to weight loss work?

(Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) One of the more common self-improvement goals, particularly in the winter months before 'beach body' season, is to lose weight. How people attempt to achieve their goals may vary by individual, but one of the more popular approaches is enrollment in a commercial weight loss program that uses a 'buddy system' approach to weight loss. But does it work? According to some new research, it does, but possibly not in the ways most people assume.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DGmUHT

Searching for human remains: Study suggests methodology to improve results

(Boston University School of Medicine) In an effort to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement searches for human remains in the wild, searchers should cover the same area twice from two different angles and work no more than 1 to 2 meters apart while exploring the area

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UsG2ia

'More unites us than divides us' say researchers

(University of Bath) New research suggests that people are much more united in their beliefs and values than media reporting often suggests.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Sb9BXY

Study finds alcohol, space, and time influence young people's sexual encounters

(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) A study conducted by Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania sheds light on the factors that influence young people's access to and use of alcohol, and subsequent engagement in safe or unsafe sexual behaviors.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HBrDi8

Association between economic factors, clinician supply and rate of newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy

(JAMA Network) Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which are symptoms that primarily occur in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy, has increased over the last two decades  but there is limited information on its association with economic conditions or clinician supply.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RViEgd

Long-term unemployment linked to increase in neonatal abstinence syndrome

(Vanderbilt University Medical Center) Babies born after being exposed to opioids before birth are more likely to be delivered in regions of the US with high rates of long-term unemployment and lower levels of mental health services, according to a study from researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the RAND Corporation.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CS4thE

The latest picture of Ultima Thule reveals a remarkably smooth face

Kuiper Belt object MU69, nicknamed Ultima Thule, is largely unmarred by impact craters, suggesting the Kuiper Belt might lack small objects.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2ThfLmt

Sleep, mood affect how 'in control' older adults feel

(North Carolina State University) Psychology researchers have found another reason that sleep, mood and stress are important: they affect the extent to which older adults feel they have control over their lives. The findings can inform efforts to improve an individual's sense of control, which has ramifications for physical, mental and emotional health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CN1BCA

Intermountain Healthcare, MDClone collaborate to transform patient data into actionable insight

(Intermountain Medical Center) Intermountain Healthcare has announced a new collaboration with Israeli healthcare IT company MDClone to increase caregivers' ability to transform data into information they can use to help people lead the healthiest lives possible.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RXVZ34

Listeners get an idea of the personality of the speaker through his voice

(Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona) A paper published by Cristina Baus and Albert Costa, UPF researchers at the Center for Cognition and Brain (CBC), in collaboration with researchers from the Université Aix-Marseille and the University of Glasgow, has shown that listeners across languages form very rapid personality impressions from the voice and this is not modulated by the language of the listener, native or foreign.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CVEYMj

Children looking at screens in darkness before bedtime are at risk of poor sleep

(University of Lincoln) Preteens who use a mobile phone or watch TV in the dark an hour before bed are at risk of not getting enough sleep compared to those who use these devices in a lit room or do not use them at all before bedtime.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DGaMXb

Newborn babies have inbuilt ability to pick out words, study finds

(University of Liverpool) Newborn babies are born with the innate skills needed to pick out words from language, a new study published in Developmental Science reveals.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RZRNzF

Female graduates who wear 'sexy clothes' seen as less capable than counterparts

(University of Surrey) Females who dress 'sexily' at their graduation are perceived as being less competent and are believed to have performed worse in their degree than their peers who dress more professionally, new research from the University of Surrey reports.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2D23prR

New study analyzes cost effectiveness of smoked cannabis to treat chronic neuropathic pain

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Smoked cannabis as an adjunctive second-line therapy to treat chronic peripheral neuropathy can be both effective and cost-effective.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2D23tYD

Use of synthetic drug Flakka rare among high school seniors, but most users take numerous drugs

(New York University) Nearly one percent of high school seniors report using Flakka, a highly potent and potentially dangerous synthetic drug, according to a study by researchers at NYU School of Medicine, the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at NYU College of Global Public Health, and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DF2vCP

Newborn babies have inbuilt ability to pick out words, finds study

(University of Manchester) A research study of newborn babies has revealed that humans are born with the innate skills needed to pick out words from language. The international team of researchers discovered two mechanisms in 3-day-old infants, which give them the skills to pick out words in a stream of sounds.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UjXvJo

Many suffering children in Somaliland need surgery, but most of those needs go unmet

(Baylor University) Children in Somaliland suffer a significant burden of health conditions -- particularly congenital deformities and wound-related conditions -- that could be eased by surgery, but most of those needs go unmet, according to a study by Baylor University and Duke University published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G8D7Ho

R-E-S-P-E-C-T? LGBT views on police legitimacy and authority

(Florida Atlantic University) While there is a lot of research on the LGBT community's relationship with police, there is scant research on how they perceive police legitimacy and what predicts their willingness to obey, cooperate, and recognize police authority. A new study examines the relationship between fairness and perceived respect of the police-citizen encounter and willingness to recognize police authority among a historically marginalized population.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G8D6mO

Study: Predicting gentrification in order to prevent it

(University of Colorado Denver) This first-of-its-kind study offers a new model to identify the U.S. neighborhoods most vulnerable to gentrification. The study, published in the Journal of Urban Affairs, reveals the factors with the greatest influence on gentrification and examines the roles that government and policy can proactively play in limiting its impacts. The research serves as a roadmap to implement proven anti-gentrification strategies before it's too late.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DEtuhS

Do bigger brains equal smarter dogs? New study offers answers

(University of Arizona) Larger dogs have better short-term memory and self-control than smaller breeds, according to research led by the Arizona Canine Cognition Center at the University of Arizona.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RnZtGW

UBC researcher adopts play-by-play method to understand how counsellors can promote health

(University of British Columbia Okanagan campus) Using a page from a coach's playbook, a UBC researcher has come up with a method to analyze behavior change counselling sessions and determine what makes them work. UBC Okanagan Assistant Professor Heather Gainforth researches behavior change with the School of Health and Exercise Sciences. She has recently published research explaining her approach to understanding the play-by-play of counseling sessions to help people make positive changes in their lives.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RoiXev

Hospital patients are leaving their plates half full and it's putting their lives at risk, study shows

(GCI Health NY) The largest analysis to date of US hospital malnutrition prevalence confirms one in three adults are at risk.Majority of patients eat only half of their plates or less, which is linked to greater risk of death.Nutrition care is significantly underutilized in hospitals, and it could greatly improve patients' health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MCLgoI

Five explosive things the 2018 eruption taught us about Kilauea

Kilauea’s 2018 eruption allowed volcanologists a clear window into the processes that have shaped and influenced the world’s most watched volcano.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2FZ8Awq

Heavy drinking may change DNA -- Leading to increased craving for alcohol

(Rutgers University) Binge and heavy drinking may trigger a long-lasting genetic change, resulting in an even greater craving for alcohol, according to a Rutgers-led study in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MCoHQZ

Study: Collaborative video games could increase office productivity

(Brigham Young University) Move over trust falls and ropes courses, turns out playing video games with coworkers is the real path to better performance at the office.A new study by four BYU information systems professors found newly-formed work teams experienced a 20 percent increase in productivity on subsequent tasks after playing video games together for just 45 minutes. The study, published in AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, adds to a growing body of literature finding positive outcomes of team video gaming.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RWPXiW

National study compares options for treating fecal incontinence

(Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University) Fecal incontinence, or accidental stool leakage, affects some 8 to 10 percent of the 325 million people in the United States. In up to half of patients, there is both fecal and urinary incontinence.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2G8KTRK

Exploring the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline

(Brigham and Women's Hospital) A new study led by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital adds to a growing body of evidence that hearing loss is associated with higher risk of cognitive decline.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RT4oVx

Brexit could lead to thousands more heart attacks and strokes

(Imperial College London) Brexit could contribute to thousands more deaths from heart attacks and strokes by 2030, new research has found.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TloHaw

The Lancet: Major progress against hepatitis C by 2030 is possible, but will need vast improvements in screening, prevention and treatment

(The Lancet) A comprehensive package of prevention, screening, and treatment interventions could avert 15.1 million new hepatitis C infections and 1.5 million cirrhosis and liver cancer deaths globally by 2030 -- equal to an 80 percent reduction in incidence and a 60 percent reduction in deaths compared with 2015, according to the first study to model hepatitis C interventions globally published in The Lancet.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B85v97

Decision-making tool fails to ease anxiety for families of life-support patients

(Duke University Medical Center) Using a computer-based decision guide to plan treatment for a loved one on life support can help families feel less conflicted, but did not ease symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress, according to new research led by Duke Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Babg6g

Personalized decision aid did not help surrogates and clinicians agree on treatment goals for critically ill patients

(American College of Physicians) A personalized web-based decision aid did not help surrogate decision makers and clinicians agree on treatment goals for patients on life support for longer than average. Nearly all surrogates chose a more aggressive treatment goal than was suggested by the decision aid, despite the aid being based on the surrogate's report of patient values. Results from a multi-center randomized clinical trial are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TgIdoE

New precision medicine procedure fights cancer, advances treatment for pets and humans

(University of Missouri-Columbia) In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists at the University of Missouri have helped advance a patient-specific, precision medicine treatment for bone cancer in dogs. By creating a vaccine from a dog's own tumor, scientists worked with ELIAS Animal Health to target specific cancer cells and avoid the toxic side effects of chemotherapy, while also opening the door for future human clinical trials.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B9da7r

Facebook memes during 2016 presidential election differ from gender stereotypes

(Baylor University) Facebook political memes of Donald Trump in the 2016 election were more likely to focus on his hairstyle and facial expressions, while those of Hillary Clinton were more likely to center on the email scandal and her relationships -- a contrast to historical gender stereotypes in politics, a Baylor University study has found.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2WnSvFu

Haiti's first-ever private nature reserve created to protect imperiled species

(Temple University College of Science and Technology) In a race against time, an American professor and a Haitian CEO have teamed up to establish private nature reserves to protect Haiti's disappearing species. Now, with funding from Global Wildlife Conservation and Rainforest Trust, the first such park has been purchased: Grand Bois, a mountain in the southwest of Haiti with rare and endangered plants and animals.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RnqYQE

Common test for mental health understanding is biased

(University of Rochester) The National Institute for Mental Health recommends a test, called the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (RMET), for assessing a person's mental health understanding--that is a patient's ability to understanding what other people are thinking and feeling. But there's a problem. Using data from more than 40,000 people, a new study published this month in Psychological Medicine concludes that the test is deeply flawed. It relies too heavily on a person's vocabulary, intelligence, and culturally-biased stimuli.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DF41Vu

Study shows flight limitations of earliest feathered dinosaurs

(Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters) Anchiornis, one of the earliest feathered dinosaurs ever discovered, was found to have the ability to fly. However, could it fly like birds today? A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by researchers from China and the U.S. says no.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2UoaGZM

Want to squelch fake news? Let the readers take charge

(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) A new study co-authored by an MIT professor shows that crowdsourced judgments about the quality of news sources may effectively marginalize false news stories and other kinds of online misinformation.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DFRQYS

Earth’s core may have hardened just in time to save its magnetic field

Earth’s inner core began to solidify about 565 million years ago — just in time to prevent the collapse of the planet’s magnetic field, a study finds.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2TidKXh

Stand Up To Cancer dream team tackles t-cell lymphoma, focused on CAR-based strategies

(Stand Up To Cancer) A new $8 million SU2C Dream Team is focused on therapies for T-cell lymphoma using CARs to trigger the immune system to attack and destroy cancerous cells led by Helen Heslop, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine, co-led by Gianpietro Dotti, M.D., UNC Chapel Hill: seeking to develop "off the shelf" CAR cells improving availability & lowering cost; identifying biomarkers to track therapy effectiveness; evaluating a novel small molecule which shows potential as a cytoreductive regimen.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DEqemT

Why modern javelin throwers hurled Neandertal spears at hay bales

A sporting event with replica weapons suggests that Neandertals’ spears may have been made for throwing, not just stabbing.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2CRkDbe

High rates of opioid prescriptions may be linked to poor labor force participation

(University of Tennessee at Knoxville) Prescription opioids may be negatively affecting labor force participation and unemployment nationwide, according to findings in a new study co-authored by economists at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and published in The Journal of Human Resources.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HOCQMr

Sleep loss heightens pain sensitivity, dulls brain's painkilling response

(University of California - Berkeley) For the first time, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified neural glitches in the sleep-deprived brain that can intensify and prolong the agony of sickness and injury.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B90ZHL

Brain biomarkers could help identify those at risk of severe PTSD

(NIH/National Institute of Mental Health) A study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, part of the NIH, has shed light on the neurocomputational contributions to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in combat veterans. The findings revealed distinct patterns for how the brain and body respond to learning danger and safety depending on the severity of PTSD symptoms. These findings could help explain why symptoms of PTSD can be severe for some people but not others.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RmNOIi

Humans colonized diverse environments in Southeast Asia and Oceania during the Pleistocene

(Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) Investigations into what it means to be human have often focused on attempts to uncover the earliest material traces of 'art', 'language', or technological 'complexity'. More recently, scholars have begun to argue that more attention should be paid to the ecological uniqueness of our species. A new study, published in Archaeological Research in Asia, reviews the palaeoecological information associated with hominin dispersals into Southeast Asia and Oceania throughout the Pleistocene (1.25 Ma to 12 ka).

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2HBb85x

Humans colonized diverse environments in Southeast Asia and Oceania during the Pleistocene

(Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) Investigations into what it means to be human have often focused on attempts to uncover the earliest material traces of 'art', 'language', or technological 'complexity'. More recently, scholars have begun to argue that more attention should be paid to the ecological uniqueness of our species. A new study, published in Archaeological Research in Asia, reviews the palaeoecological information associated with hominin dispersals into Southeast Asia and Oceania throughout the Pleistocene (1.25 Ma to 12 ka).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HBb85x

GW cancer researchers investigate nanoimmunotherapies for cancer

(George Washington University) A team at GW Cancer Center is investigating Prussian blue nanoparticles used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2SaJ7pl

Train the brain to form good habits through repetition

(University of Warwick) You can hack your brain to form good habits -- like going to the gym and eating healthily -- simply by repeating actions until they stick, according to new psychological research involving the University of Warwick.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B6T2mk

Alzheimer's Association funds two-year extension of the sprint mind study

(Alzheimer's Association) The Alzheimer's Association has awarded more than $800,000 to support the SPRINT MIND 2.0 Study, which will further investigate the impact of intensive blood pressure treatment on reducing risk of dementia. The newly funded study will continue and extend follow up of the SPRINT MIND trial participants.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Ulg289

Lowering blood pressure reduces risk of cognitive impairment

(Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center) Intensive control of blood pressure in older people significantly reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor of early dementia, in a clinical trial led by scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UnG76q

Does intensive blood pressure control reduce the risk of dementia?

(JAMA Network) Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are projected to affect 115 million people worldwide by 2050. There are currently no proven treatments to reduce the risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). High blood pressure (hypertension) has been identified as a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia and MCI in observational studies.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DDmyBQ

Diabetes tops common conditions for frequent geriatric emergency patients

(American College of Emergency Physicians) Older adults go to the emergency department more often than other age groups, stay longer, and typically require more resources and medical interventions. The most common conditions among geriatric frequent users include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure and blockage or damage to veins or arteries, according to new research in Annals of Emergency Medicine.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TjH8wq

Injection of opioids linked to significant increase in bacterial heart infections

(Lawson Health Research Institute) In a new study from ICES, Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, researchers discovered a significant rise in the risk of infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection, among Ontarians who inject drugs. When examining opioid prescriptions in the province, the research team discovered the increased risk of infective endocarditis may be related to the growing use of a specific opioid, hydromorphone.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UhBdYS

In test of wisdom, new research favors Yoda over Spock

(University of Waterloo) A person's ability to reason wisely about a challenging situation may improve when they also experience diverse yet balanced emotions, say researchers from the University of Waterloo.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DFqIZT

How to create health care centaurs, half doctors and half managers

(Bocconi University) If hospital doctors around the world often struggle to become those health centaurs, half professionals and half managers, that modern healthcare organizations need, the main responsibility is not their resistance to change, but the lack of effective support from the organization, according to a study by Marco Sartirana (CERGAS, Bocconi University), Graeme Currie (Warwick Business School), and Mirko Noordegraaf (Utrecht School of Governance)

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B7U6Gi

Stress and dream sleep are linked to pathways of brain cell death and survival

(University of Surrey) The first and most distinct consequence of daily mild stress is an increase in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, a new study in the journal PNAS reports. The research also demonstrated that this increase is associated with genes involved in cell death and survival.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FV0zIW

Future changes in human well-being to depend more on social factors than economic factors

(Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) The changes in the perception of personal well-being that could take place in the next three decades, on a global level, depend much more on social factors than on economic ones.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RQxq85

Columbia study finds alcohol, space, and time influence young people's sexual encounters

(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) An under-addressed issue in global health is the interaction between alcohol use and sexual encounters among adolescents especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A study explores the factors that influence young people's use of alcohol and engagement in unsafe sex and found that alcohol use intersects with where youths are consuming alcohol and subsequently engaging in sex which, in turn, influences their likelihood of using condoms and practicing safer sex.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2WrdcAh

How light-farming chloroplasts morph into defensive warriors

Researchers now know which protein triggers light-harvesting plant chloroplasts to turn into cell defenders when a pathogen attacks.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2Wr73nH

It’s time to start taking the search for E.T. seriously, astronomers say

Astronomers are hoping to make looking for alien technology an official science goal of NASA.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2FU9p9T

The hidden treasure of digital piracy? Can boost bottom line for manufacturers, retailers

(Indiana University) Research analysis finds that a moderate level of piracy can have a positive impact on the bottom line for both the manufacturer and the retailer -- and not at the expense of consumers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MD1yhb

Rutgers researchers highlight need for more smoking cessation programs in state prisons

(Rutgers University) Inmates want to quit smoking but don't have access to smoking cessation programs in state prisons, increasing the risk - especially among black male inmates -- of cancer, heart disease, stroke and other smoking-related diseases, according to Rutgers researchers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sTjdIp

Addressing dietary inequities in Canada

(Canadian Medical Association Journal) To address the root causes of poor diets, improve nutrition and reduce dietary inequities in Canada requires a broad approach, combining nutrition and social policies, argues an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MCNNiH

Opioid injecting linked to substantial rise in bacterial heart infections

(Canadian Medical Association Journal) A study of people who inject drugs found a significant increase in the risk of infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the lining of the heart, possibly linked to increasing use of the opioid hydromorphone. The study is published in CMAJ.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sSDA8A

Seven core principles can help substance use treatment systems focus on high-level goals

(Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs) Building on reviews of existing studies, researchers in Canada have identified the principles that may help improve substance use treatment systems. They have published these seven core principles in an article in the current supplemental of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MHqepb

NBA players who shine early stay skilled for longer

(Springer) Speed at which National Basketball Association (NBA) players' performance declines with age after peak depends on early career development, study suggests.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MzmKEP

Vitamin D supplements aren’t living up to their hype

Once seen as a supplement with a long list of benefits, vitamin D’s glow may be dimming.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2sP9xPu

Parents worried about risks, still think opioids are best for kids' pain relief

(American Society of Anesthesiologists) News of opioid abuse, overdoses and reports that 90 percent of addictions start in the teen years could make any parent worry. Yet parents remain conflicted about opioids: while more than half express concern their child may be at risk for opioid addiction, nearly two-thirds believe opioids are more effective at managing their child's pain after surgery than non-prescription medication or other alternatives, according to a survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FSeL5c

First US patient in novel stem cell trial for stroke disability enrolled at UTHealth

(University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) The first US patient to participate in a global study of a stem cell therapy injected directly into the brain to treat stroke disability was enrolled in the clinical trial this week at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UiJYBJ

'Why can't a woman be more like a man?' studying gender's role in Alzheimer's disease

(University of Arizona Health Sciences) Roberta Diaz Brinton, Ph.D., inaugural director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, received $5.9 million from the National Institute on Aging to study the role of gender in Alzheimer's disease and develop precision medicine interventions to prevent -- and potentially reverse -- the course of the disease in both women and men.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DBbYvf

Tachycardia in cancer patients may signal increased mortality risk

(American College of Cardiology) Cancer patients who experienced tachycardia within one year of cancer diagnosis had higher mortality rates up to 10 years after diagnosis of tachycardia, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Advancing the Cardiovascular Care of the Oncology Patient conference. The course convenes in Washington on Jan. 25-27, 2019, bringing together top experts in both cardiology and oncology to review new and relevant science in this rapidly evolving field.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FNIGvv

Yale psychologists find that adults take girls' pain less seriously

(Yale University) Gender stereotypes can hurt children -- quite literally. When asked to assess how much pain a child is experiencing based on the observation of identical reactions to a finger-stick, American adults believe boys to be in more pain than girls, according to a new Yale study in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2AZLzVR

Autism and theory of mind

(California Institute of Technology) Theory of mind, or the ability to represent other people's minds as distinct from one's own, can be difficult for people with autism. A new test provides researchers with a better understanding of the source of this difficulty.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RND3DY

Putting understudied terrorists under a microscope

(Michigan State University) According to new research, the terrorist attacks we don't see on the news -- cyberattacks by far-left extremists -- are causing more widespread destruction than we know.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RNqxob

Kansas State University awarded grant for juvenile justice initiatives

(Kansas State University) The K-State Juvenile Justice Collaborative has been awarded $521,805 by the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Advisory Group to work with local communities in developing support systems for youth and families.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HwOpHU

Harvard researchers report positive trial results with artificial pancreas smartphone app

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) The results of a new clinical trial have shown the safety and efficacy of the interoperable Artificial Pancreas System smartphone app (iAPS), which can interface wirelessly with leading continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pump devices, and decision-making algorithms.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CMloSC

Harsh punishment, maltreatment in childhood associated with adult antisocial behavior

(JAMA Network) Harsh physical punishment (pushing, grabbing, shoving, slapping and hitting), maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect and exposure to intimate partner violence) and a combination of the two during childhood were all associated with antisocial behaviors in adulthood among men and women. This observational study used data on about 36,000 adults in the general US population.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2SbtlKU

Examination of outpatient prescribing patterns for anxiety drugs

(JAMA Network) Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) are a large class of drugs with lots of potential uses from treating anxiety to other conditions including insomnia, seizures and neuropathic pain. This study used nationally representative data to examine patterns in outpatient prescribing of benzodiazepines and included more than 386,000 ambulatory care visits from 2003 through 2015.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HsfBY6

New research will improve diagnosis of antenatal anxiety

(University of Stirling) A landmark study by experts at the University of Stirling will help health professionals improve the identification of severe and problematic anxiety in pregnant women.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2HzCJUG

Tobacco use in adolescence is tied to paranoia, largely due to shared genetic influences

(Elsevier) Paranoia is associated with regular tobacco smoking in adolescents after accounting for other factors like cannabis use, sleep disturbances and stressful life events, reports a study recently published to the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2S5OhTH

UTSA, OLLU professors receive grant to archive oral histories of women in the military

(University of Texas at San Antonio) UTSA, an urban serving university located in Military City USA, is involved in an exciting research project with Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) to document the diverse experiences of women during different periods of war.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RNdhjc

Language used on credit card websites the hardest to understand

(University of East Anglia) New research led by the University of East Anglia reveals how easy it is for consumers to understand the language used on personal finance websites.The study analyzed the text of websites for payday lenders, personal loans and credit cards in the UK and found that while payday loans sites are easier to read, all are difficult. Credit card websites are hardest to read and contain more complex terminology, though no significant differences are found between payday loans and personal loans.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Dyqeop

Inequality promotes deforestation in Latin America

(University of Bern) Agricultural expansion is the main cause of deforestation in Latin America. Improvements in agricultural productivity can either enable forest conservation, or promote more deforestation. A new University of Bern study highlights the role played by inequality: high inequality leads to more deforestation, while lower inequality improves the long-term protection of remaining tropical forests.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RPKfzl

Dogs may have helped ancient Middle Easterners hunt small game

Jordanian finds point to pooch-aided hunting of small prey around 11,500 years ago, offering new clues into dog domestication in the Middle East.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2FOW5DM

Why some mites are mightier than others: The evolution of lethal fighting in a spider mite

(University of Tsukuba) Unlike most male animals, some males of the social spider mite engage in deadly fights with rival males. Their level of aggression (low, mild or high) is related to the geographical location, and the resulting climate, of the colony in which the mites live. It appears that as the temperature rises, so do the tempers of the male spider mites.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DyzM2z

Researchers uncover brain pathway linked to impulsive behaviors

(Nanyang Technological University) Researchers from Singapore and South Korea have uncovered new details of a brain pathway that can cause impulsive behaviours.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Tdd4T1

Common pain reliever can improve survival in head and neck cancer

(University of California - San Francisco) Regular use of a common type of medication, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, significantly improves survival for a third or more patients with head and neck cancer, a new study led by UC San Francisco has found.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Dz8YPM

Morris Animal Foundation awards $1 million for new canine and feline health studies

(Morris Animal Foundation) Worth more than a few happy barks and meows, Morris Animal Foundation announced it awarded nearly $1 million in grants for nine canine and feline research projects. The studies will help veterinary scientists improve the health and quality of life of cats and dogs suffering from deadly and debilitating diseases including cancer, chronic upper respiratory disease and osteoarthritis.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UhIisp

Male birds’ sexy songs may not advertise their brains after all

A biologist backs off an idea he studied for years that the mastery of birdsong is a sign of bird smarts.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2sPvOfH

Neanderthal hunting spears could kill at a distance

(University College London) Neanderthals have been imagined as the inferior cousins of modern humans, but a new study by archaeologists at UCL reveals for the first time that they produced weaponry advanced enough to kill at a distance.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://bit.ly/2RTroUo

Neanderthal hunting spears could kill at a distance

(University College London) Neanderthals have been imagined as the inferior cousins of modern humans, but a new study by archaeologists at UCL reveals for the first time that they produced weaponry advanced enough to kill at a distance.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RTroUo

Muscle memory discovery ends 'use it or lose it' dogma

(Frontiers) Exercise physiologists agree: muscle memory is real. But how are these 'memories' stored? A review published in Frontiers in Physiology has a simple answer: nuclei gained during training persist even when muscle cells shrink due to disuse or start to break down. This means we can 'bank' nuclei in our youth to prevent frailty in old age -- and makes steroid use in competitive sport a perfect but irredeemable crime.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CJgqGl

Gero to reveal its latest results in aging research at Longevity Therapeutics 2019

(Gero) Gero is a data-driven longevity company developing innovative therapies that will strongly extend the healthy period of life also known as healthspan. Latest results of Gero aging studies will be presented at Longevity Therapeutics Conference in San Francisco, January 29-31, 2019.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B2L79k

Penn's 'enhanced recovery' protocol reduces opioid use in spinal surgery patients

(University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) A novel 'Enhanced Recovery After Surgery' (ERAS) protocol developed by Penn Medicine for patients undergoing spinal and peripheral nerve surgery significantly reduced opioid use. The new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine showed that when an ERAS protocol was employed, fewer patients needed pain medications one month after surgery.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2UjzNgB

Cancer patients can quit smoking through lengthened medication time, counseling support

(Northwestern University) More than 50 percent of cancer patients still smoke after being diagnosed, yet quitting smoking can significantly improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment. A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania found cancer patients have better success quitting and are not as prone to relapsing one year later if they undergo counseling sessions for 24 weeks and take the smoking cessation medication varenicline (e.g. Chantix) for 24 weeks, compared to the routine 12 weeks.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2DwWDeS

First confirmed cases of rabbit virus found in UK hares

(University of East Anglia) New research from the University of East Anglia confirms cases of a rabbit virus found in hares. The first UK cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) have been detected in dead hares found in two locations -- Essex and Dorset. RHDV2 normally affects rabbits, but the disease is known to have jumped to European brown hares in Italy, Spain, France and Australia. This is the first time that RHDV2 has been found in hares in the UK.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2MvRPJH

West Virginia study details promising method for estimating rural intravenous drug use

(Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health) A study published today in the American Journal of Public Health estimates that 1,857 people injected drugs in the last six months in Cabell County, W.Va., a rural county with a population of 94,958. This estimate is based on an innovative survey technique that public health officials can now use in their own rural communities to address the opioid epidemic.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B01VOs

Smoking cessation strategies targeting stress reduction may be more successful in women

(Medical University of South Carolina) Women are 31 percent less likely to quit smoking successfully, in part because nicotine replacement therapy is more effective in male smokers. Female smokers experienced more stress and craving than men after viewing cellphone-delivered stress-inducing images, report researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in Nicotine & Tobacco Research. Although all smokers making a cessation attempt would likely benefit from interventions to reduce stress, these findings suggest that women could receive particular benefit.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FMNWja

ACR responds to CMS Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage proposed rule

(American College of Rheumatology) In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) expressed its continuing concern with a recent CMS policy allowing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to utilize step therapy for Part B drugs. In the comment letter, rheumatology leaders urged the agency to establish safeguards to protect beneficiaries from potential harm.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FYtivJ

In life and death, Alzheimer's disease looks different among Hispanic patients

(University of California - San Diego) Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report that autopsies of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when they were alive -- and confirmed by autopsy -- indicate many cognitive issues symptomatic of the condition are less noticeable in living Hispanic patients.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Uc69tt

Lack of sleep is tied to increases in two Alzheimer's proteins

In people and mice deprived of sleep, researchers found an increase in tau, a protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease, in the fluid bathing the brain.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2sG2Saa

Study reveals alarming numbers of violent injuries among schoolchildren

(University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) Nearly 1 in 5 fifth-graders has received violent injuries, the majority delivered by guns or knives, according to recently published research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Rf8HoZ

Computer analysis shows that popular music lyrics become angrier and sadder over time

(Lawrence Technological University) A scientific analysis of the sentiment of popular music lyrics from the 1950s to 2016 showed that the expression of anger and sadness in popular music has increased gradually over time, while the expression of joy has declined.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2ROT4cG

HBOT showed improvement in Alzheimer's Disease

(Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) Dr. Paul Harch, at LSU Health New Orleans, and Dr. Edward Fogarty, at the University of North Dakota, report the first PET scan-documented case of improvement in brain metabolism in Alzheimer's disease in a patient treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CFAbyE

Copy number variants contribute to risk of 'schizophrenia-like' bipolar disorder subtype

(Elsevier) A form of rare genomic structural variation called copy number variants (CNVs) may be more closely associated with schizophrenia than bipolar disorder.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2R8WEt3

LGB and other sexual minorities face significant health disparities

(Penn State) Sexual minorities -- people who are attracted to members of the same sex or who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual -- are at a higher risk for several different health problems at different points in their lives, according to Penn State researchers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FImiDG

Dopamine modulates reward experiences elicited by music

(University of Barcelona) New study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science reveals causal link between dopamine and human reward response to music listening. Researchers pharmacologically manipulated dopaminergic transmission of 27 participants while listening to music and showed causal link between dopamine and pleasure. While levodopa increased hedonic experience and motivation, risperidone led to a reduction of both. These results shed light on neurobiology and neurochemistry underpinning reward responses, contributing to an open debate on human pleasures.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CHY2xv

Your personality could put you at greater risk for developing diabetes

(The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)) It has been said that a good personality can help one succeed in life. But can it also guard against disease risk? A new study based on data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) shows that positive personality traits, such as optimism, actually may help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CLn6nE

Rocking puts adults to sleep faster and makes slumber deeper

People sleep better when their beds are gently rocked, a small study finds.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2sIXjHN

Insufficient evidence' that antidepressants affect fertility or infertility-treatment outcomes

(Wolters Kluwer Health) Based on limited research, there's no strong evidence that selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) -- the most widely used class of antidepressants -- have an adverse impact on fertility, according to a paper in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CHLTJb

Genetic risk for ADHD manifest in brain structure in childhood

(Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)) There is only scant scientific evidence on whether the genetic risk for developing specific psychiatric disorders or cognitive traits is manifest in brain structure from childhood and, to date, studies have focused primarily on adult populations. The question remains unanswered. New evidence has now been provided by a study led by a researcher from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by 'la Caixa', which analysed data from a large paediatric sample.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CFtHzQ

Enzyme that breaks down amino acids may promote aging

(Kobe University) Permanently arrested cell growth is known as 'cellular senescence', and the accumulation of senescent cells may be one cause of aging in our bodies. Japanese researchers have discovered that a certain enzyme in our bodies promotes cellular senescence by producing reactive oxygen species. Drugs that target this enzyme could potentially suppress this process, and inhibit aging and aging-related illnesses.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CL1xDI

Cancer drug development award given to Geoffrey Shapiro

(European Society for Medical Oncology) The TAT 2019 Honorary Award for cancer drug development has been given to Dr Geoffrey Shapiro, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Institute Physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for his leadership in developmental therapeutics, particularly in solid tumours. The award will be presented during the International Congress on Targeted Anticancer Therapies (TAT) 2019, to be held in Paris, France, 25-27 February.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Mtl9k6

Children shape their learning environment

(Aarhus University) A close collaboration between University of Connecticut and Interacting Minds at Aarhus University researchers is exploring how parents and children influence each other when they interact, and the longer term impact this has on language acquisition.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2ROnegg

Patenting a device for the random selection of people

(Universidad Carlos III de Madrid) Researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have patented a device for the selection of people which, unlike other methods, ensures the randomness of the entire process.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sLVFFE

United Nations, World Economic Forum and partners unite to address e-waste

(Terry Collins Assoc) Seven UN entities have come together, supported by the World Economic Forum and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to address e-waste.A new joint report shows that the world now discards approximately 50 million tons of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) per year, greater in weight than all of the commercial airliners ever made; only 20 percent is formally recycled. If nothing changes, United Nations University predicts e-waste could nearly triple to 120 million tonnes by 2050.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2Mtl8wy

Milken Institute assesses economic impact of tech and research on US cities

(Milken Institute) Utah's Provo-Orem metropolitan area took the No. 1 spot in the Milken Institute's Best-Performing Cities index for a second consecutive year, reflecting the robust growth of high-tech industries outside the coastal enclaves that launched the digital revolution. Published annually since 1999, Best-Performing Cities: Where America's Jobs are Created and Sustained (www.best-cities.org) measures the economic vitality of 200 large metros and 201 small cities. Metrics include growth in jobs, wages and salaries, and technology output.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CEiNue

3D human epidermal equivalent created using math

(Hokkaido University) Scientists have successfully constructed a three-dimensional human epidermis based on predictions made by their mathematical model of epidermal homeostasis, providing a new tool for basic research and drug development.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RQlvHy

'Cascade of Care' framework aims to reduce opioid deaths

(Columbia University Irving Medical Center) In a paper out today in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Columbia researchers present an expanded model to reduce opioid overdose and death by addressing gaps in addiction care and by monitoring treatment outcomes. A group of researchers led by Arthur Robin Williams, MD, MBE, at Columbia University's Division on Substance Use Disorders, developed a 'Cascade of Care' model for treating individuals with opioid use disorder based on lessons learned in the HIV/AIDS field.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RLig46

Kids prefer friends who talk like they do

(American Psychological Association) Children tend to prefer to be friends with other children who speak with the same local accent as they have, even if they grow up in a diverse community and are regularly exposed to a variety of accents, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RMmSXH

Can artificial intelligence help doctors and patients have better conversations?

(The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice) In a recent article in the BMJ, researchers from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Edinburgh explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve patient/provider communication, including providing information about patients' physical and mental health, detecting high-risk situations when providers are under stress, and preventing unnecessary testing

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CJ4swr

How friendly mice can affect their lonely cagemates

(Waseda University) Japanese scientists developed a novel-video based behavioral analysis system for long-term behavioral tracking of multiple mice. With this software, they discovered that social isolation of male mice during adolescence leads to impaired social proximity in adulthood, and that both individual behavioral traits and those of cagemates influence social proximity. In addition, they found that low reactive behavior of other cagemates also influence individual social proximity in male mice.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2RNu6us

Tiny eyes make a bizarre, ancient platypus-like reptile even weirder

An ancient oddball marine reptile had teeny-tiny eyes, suggesting it probably used senses other than sight to catch food.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2B2iJ7A

50 years ago, scientists tried to control earthquakes with earthquakes

In the 1960s, researchers proposed preventing a big earthquake by creating smaller ones. That hasn’t quite worked out.

from Latest Headlines | Science News http://bit.ly/2FMjk19

New kidney research sheds light on harms of certain drugs

(University of Bristol) Scientists have identified an enzyme that is a 'master regulator' of kidney function that if excessively suppressed, can trigger renal failure. Their findings have implications for the use of existing drugs and the development of new pharmaceuticals.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2sKFkAO

New global task force report questions effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures, provides recommendations

(Burness) There is little to no evidence that two surgical procedures used to fuse crumbled vertebrae following a spinal fracture caused by osteoporosis reduce pain for patients any better than non-surgical or placebo procedures, according to a new report from a global task force of bone health experts published today in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (JBMR).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TeD40A

People think and behave differently in virtual reality than they do in real life

(University of British Columbia) By studying the phenomenon of contagious yawning, the researchers learned that people's reactions in virtual reality can be quite different from what they are in actual reality. They found that contagious yawning happens in VR, but people's tendency to suppress yawns when they have company or feel they're being watched don't apply in the VR environment. Further, when people immersed in VR are aware of an actual person in the room, they do stifle their yawns. Actual reality supersedes virtual reality.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B0INjv

Press registration open for Cognitive Neuroscience Society Meeting in San Francisco

(Cognitive Neuroscience Society) Join us in San Francisco to explore the nature of how we think, feel, and behave! Press registration is now open for the Cognitive Neuroscience Society annual conference, March 23-26, 2019, in San Francisco, CA, at the Hyatt Regency. Get great story ideas and connect with more than 1,500 neuroscientists, presenting some of the latest research on neuroimaging, memory, language, aging, exercise and learning.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FWMgTa

Study reveals bias in children even before they reach kindergarten

(Wiley) In a Developmental Science study of preschool-aged children, implicit and explicit evaluations of black boys were less positive than evaluations of black girls, white boys, or white girls.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B1CiN6

Do economic conditions affect pregnancy outcomes?

(Wiley) Economic downturn during early pregnancy was linked with modest increases in preterm birth in a Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology analysis.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TeCPCI

Overprescribing of antidepressant medications may be common in elderly patients

(Wiley) In a Pharmacology Research & Perspectives study of individuals living in Olmsted County, Minnesota from 2005-2012, potential overprescribing of antidepressant medications occurred in nearly one-quarter of elderly residents.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B32GpX

Study uncovers ethnic differences in cognition and age in people diagnosed with dementia

(Wiley) In an International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry study of individuals diagnosed with dementia in the United Kingdom, people from minority ethnic backgrounds (Asian and black patients) had lower cognitive scores and were younger when they were diagnosed with dementia than white patients.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2T78dTm

Positive well-being may protect against depression in people with autism

(Wiley) In an Autism Research study of 36 newly employed adults with autism spectrum disorder who were participating in a supported employment program, positive well-being -- or a sense of happiness and life satisfaction -- was associated with a lower risk of developing depression over 12 months of follow-up.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2T6bzG5

Are tattoos linked with individuals' health and risky behaviors?

(Wiley) In a survey-based study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, having tattoos was not significantly related to overall health status, but individuals with tattoos were more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health issue and to report sleep problems.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B2rrTd

US children show clear evidence of bias at the intersection of race and gender

(Northwestern University) A new Northwestern University study provides strong and consistent evidence of bias at the intersection of race and gender in 4-year-old children. The researchers examined 4-year-old children's responses to images of other children who varied both in race -- black and white -- and gender -- female and male.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B1HJfc

Study: Natural disaster affects children's schooling years later

(Society for Research in Child Development) A new study looked at changes in children's academic performance after major bushfires in Australia. The study concluded that children in regions affected significantly by bushfires demonstrated poorer academic outcomes in some subjects than children in regions that were less severely affected by the fires.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2TeCsrO

Teens' same-gender friendships key to later satisfaction in romantic relationships

(Society for Research in Child Development) A new longitudinal study sought to identify the factors in adolescence that best predicted who would and would not have a satisfying romantic life in their late 20s. The study found that the skills teens learn in friendships with peers of the same gender were the strongest predictors of later romantic satisfaction.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2B1HFMu

Breakthrough in understanding male infertility

(Newcastle University) Newcastle University experts have identified the importance of gene, RBMXL2, which is similar to an infertility gene found on the Y chromosome, in regulating the production of fully-functioning sperm.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FLGLaF

Tasmanian devil cancer unlikely to cause extinction, say experts

(Swansea University) Transmissible cancer which has devastated Tasmanian devil populations is unlikely to cause extinction, according to latest research.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FSLA18

Needle and syringe programs cost-effectively prevent hepatitis C transmission

(University of Bristol) Providing clean injecting equipment through needle and syringe programs is a highly cost-effective way of preventing hepatitis C (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs and could save millions of pounds in infection treatment costs in the UK, according to research led by the University of Bristol and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2FLGKn7