Futurity.org » University of Minnesota

Tool gives hi-def origin of Syrian artifacts

Amy Stone-Sheffield — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:51:41 +0000

U. SHEFFIELD (UK) — Magnetic analysis lets archaeologists match obsidian artifacts from Syria to the specific quarry—not just the volcano—of origin.

While at the University of Sheffield from 1965 until 1972, Professor Lord Colin Renfrew developed a technique that matched stone tools made of obsidian, naturally occurring glass, to their volcanic origins based on their chemical fingerprints.

Team to launch balloon into polar vortex

Diana Lutz-WUSTL — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:20:10 +0000

WASHINGTON U.-ST. LOUIS / CALTECH (US) — Scientists are poised to send a two-ton balloon-borne cosmic-ray experiment called Super-TIGER into the high-altitude polar vortex over Antarctica.

The scientists hope the experiment will confirm that cosmic rays are created in loosely organized groups of hot, massive stars called OB associations.

When self injury turns suicidal for teens

Jesslyn Chew-Missouri — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:30:29 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — A survey of more than 60,000 Minnesota teens showed than about 4,000 reported injuring themselves and nearly half of those attempted suicide.

Researchers who analyzed the survey have identified factors that will help parents, medical professionals, and educators recognize teens at risk for self injury and suicide.

Penguins grow ‘frigid’ as Antarctic warms up

Jacob Levich-Stony Brook — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:31:56 +0000

STONY BROOK (US) — As temperatures rise on the Antarctic Peninsula, the number of breeding chinstrap penguins is down by more than half, new research shows.

Published in the Polar Biology, the findings stem from fieldwork conducted in December 2011 at Deception Island, one of the most frequently visited locations in Antarctica. There has been speculation that tourism may have a negative impact on breeding chinstrap penguins—especially, at Baily Head, the penguins’ largest colony.

Test detects cancer from immune cell mix

David Orenstein-Brown — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:47:32 +0000

BROWN (US) — A new blood test determines the relative abundance of leukocytes, immune cells that can indicate cancer and other disorders.

The technique is potentially valuable not only for research but also for diagnostics and treatment monitoring, say researchers.

The key to the new technique is that scientists have identified in each kind of leukocyte a unique chemical alteration to its DNA, called methylation. By detecting these methylation signatures in a patient’s blood sample and applying a mathematical analysis, the researchers are able to determine the relative levels of different leukocytes and correlate those with specific diseases.

For some, salary boost feels like failure

Kelly Parkes-Harrison-Warwick — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:49:43 +0000

U. WARWICK (UK) — People with neurotic tendencies may actually perceive a pay increase as a sign of failure, according to a new study.

In a working paper, economist Eugenio Proto from the Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) at the University of Warwick looked at how personality traits can affect the way we feel about our income in terms of levels of life satisfaction.

He found evidence suggesting that neurotic people can view a pay raise or an increase in income as a failure—if it is not as much as they expected.

Corn diversity may ease world hunger

Pat Bailey-UC Davis — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:07:52 +0000

UC DAVIS (US) — Two new studies on the evolution of corn will be used for future research on ways to increase yield in response to population growth and climate change.

The world’s population is expected to climb from 7 billion people this year to an estimated 9 billion by 2050. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that food production will need to increase by 70 percent over the next four decades to meet anticipated demand.

Is diet soda healthy? Depends on what you eat

Patric Lane-UNC — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:35:59 +0000

UNC-CHAPEL HILL (US) — New research sheds light on how zero-calorie sodas may affect health, especially in the context of a person’s overall dietary habits.

A number of studies have implicated drinking diet beverages as a cause of cardiovascular disease. Others have suggested such drinks may be a viable tactic for people who are trying to lose or control weight.

Most women can skip frequent bone tests

Tom Hughes-UNC — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:16:18 +0000

UNC-CHAPEL HILL (US) — Older women who receive normal bone mineral density scores may not need to be screened again for 10 years, new research shows.

Since 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that women ages 65 and older be routinely screened for osteoporosis and has suggested that a two-year screening interval might be appropriate. However, what length the screening interval should be is a topic that remains undecided.

Early conflict with mom leaves toddlers angry

Christopher James-NYU — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:41:41 +0000

U. MINNESOTA / NYU (US) — Children who are persistently aggressive and defiant by kindergarten very often have tumultuous relationships with their parents from early on.

A new longitudinal study, published in the journal Child Development, suggests that a cycle involving parenting styles and hostility between mothers and toddlers is at play.