Other posts
- February 2, 2012
- 07:09 AM
- 39 views
Design Performs a Key Role in Spider Webs, Scientists Say
by Jaime Menchén in United Academics
The strength of spider webs is not only based on silk’s properties, but also on the quality of their design, as researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Politecnico di Torino have found out.... Read more »
Cranford, S., Tarakanova, A., Pugno, N., & Buehler, M. (2012) Nonlinear material behaviour of spider silk yields robust webs. Nature, 482(7383), 72-76. DOI: 10.1038/nature10739
- February 2, 2012
- 05:13 AM
- 32 views
Pic of the Day: Meet the Shieldcroc, Crocodiles’ Earliest Ancestor
by Jaime Menchén in United Academics
Researchers from Marshall University, US, have reported a new kind of giant crocodilyform who lived 95 million years ago. Named Aegisuchus witmeri, scientists have nicknamed it “shieldcroc” for the shield-like skin on its head, never seen before in these species.... Read more »
Holliday, C., & Gardner, N. (2012) A New Eusuchian Crocodyliform with Novel Cranial Integument and Its Significance for the Origin and Evolution of Crocodylia. PLoS ONE, 7(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030471
- February 1, 2012
- 09:30 AM
- 47 views
Obese Americans Suffer Daily Pain
by Carian Thus in United Academics
A clear link between obesity and pain has been found in a new study of Stony Brook University, New York.... Read more »
Stone, A., & Broderick, J. (2012) Obesity and Pain Are Associated in the United States. Obesity. DOI: 10.1038/oby.2011.397
- January 31, 2012
- 09:00 PM
- 50 views
Monogamy Reduces Rape and Murder
by Carian Thus in United Academics
In approximately 85 percent of human societies men were allowed to marry multiple wives. From an evolutionary perspective this seems logic, as many offspring benefits men. Also, with the advent of agriculture and the growing gap between the rich and the poor, polygamy has increased in the past – as traditionally multiple wives are associated with wealth and status.... Read more »
Henrich, J., Boyd, R., & Richerson, P. (2012) The puzzle of monogamous marriage. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 367(1589), 657-669. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0290
- January 31, 2012
- 07:00 PM
- 58 views
Drinking Milk Might Be Good for your Brain, Study Says
by Jaime Menchen in United Academics
New research at the University of Maine, US, provides a novel field of study: drinking milk, among consuming other dairy products, may benefit our brain health, its authors say.... Read more »
Crichton, G., Elias, M., Dore, G., & Robbins, M. (2012) Relation between dairy food intake and cognitive function: The Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study. International Dairy Journal, 22(1), 15-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2011.08.001
- January 31, 2012
- 09:07 AM
- 56 views
Exercise Improves Erectile Function
by Carian Thus in United Academics
Previous research pointed out that exercise can help middle-aged men with erectile dysfunction. The goal of the current study was to determine if there is also a connection between increased physical activity and a better sexual function in young, healthy men.... Read more »
Hsiao W, Shrewsberry AB, Moses KA, Johnson TV, Cai AW, Stuhldreher P, Dusseault B, & Ritenour CW. (2011) Exercise is Associated with Better Erectile Function in Men Under 40 as Evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function. The journal of sexual medicine. PMID: 22145804
- January 31, 2012
- 05:36 AM
- 67 views
Neil harbisson, the world's first cyborg.
by Jaime Menchen in United Academics
Neil Harbisson, aged 29, considers himself a cyborg. Affected from birth by achromatopsia, he is unable to perceive colours, just black and white. Since 2004, he wears an eyeborg, a device that allows him to recognize colours through sound waves... Read more »
Warwick, K. (2011) Future Issues with Robots and Cyborgs. Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology, 4(3). DOI: 10.2202/1941-6008.1127
- January 30, 2012
- 09:14 AM
- 84 views
And Yet another Use for Graphene: Distilling Vodka
by Jaime Menchén in United Academics
Last findings on graphene reveal unexpected utility: distilling booze. Membranes made from graphene allows water to pass through but blocks anything else.... Read more »
Nair RR, Wu HA, Jayaram PN, Grigorieva IV, & Geim AK. (2012) Unimpeded permeation of water through helium-leak-tight graphene-based membranes. Science (New York, N.Y.), 335(6067), 442-4. PMID: 22282806
- January 30, 2012
- 07:44 AM
- 79 views
Teen Brain Prone to Addiction
by Carian Thus in United Academics
Researchers of the University of Pittsburgh studied the brains of adolescent and adult rats during a task in which they taught the rats to respond to a tone in a certain way, resulting in a tasty treat. According to the researchers, the brain region traditionally associated with reward and motivation – the nucleus accumbens – was activated similarly in adult and adolescent rats.... Read more »
Sturman, D., & Moghaddam, B. (2012) Striatum processes reward differently in adolescents versus adults. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1114137109
- January 29, 2012
- 10:34 PM
- 45 views
There’s More to That Red Plastic Cup Than You Thought
by Krystal D'Costa in Anthropology in Practice
Who here has not enjoyed a cold, refreshing drink from a red plastic cup? Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages alike find themselves comfortably enclosed within the confines of the bright red vessel that has become a ubiquitous American staple at barbecues, picnics, parties, in dugouts and at minor league games, in food cars and at lunch [...]
... Read more »
Bunimovitz, S., & Greenberg, R. (2004) Revealed in Their Cups: Syrian Drinking Customs in Intermediate Bronze Age Canaan. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 19. DOI: 10.2307/4150104
Donner, W. (1994) Alcohol, Community, and Modernity: The Social Organization of Toddy Drinking in a Polynesian Society. Ethnology, 33(3), 245. DOI: 10.2307/3774009
Magennis, H. (1985) The Cup as Symbol and Metaphor in Old English Literature. Speculum, 60(3), 517. DOI: 10.2307/2848173
McAllister, P. (2003) Culture, Practice, and the Semantics of Xhosa Beer-Drinking. Ethnology, 42(3), 187. DOI: 10.2307/3773800
- January 29, 2012
- 12:00 AM
- 43 views
Playing the Didgeridoo against Snoring
by Theresa Patzchke in United Academics
Snoring is more dangerous than what one might think. It can be reduced to collapsibility of the upper airways during sleep. In case of a related sleep disorder, the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, the affected person regularly looses the ability to breathe for 10 seconds or more. Both of the disorders can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.... Read more »
Puhan, M. (2006) Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 332(7536), 266-270. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.38705.470590.55
- January 27, 2012
- 07:00 PM
- 40 views
Magic Mushrooms Found to Be Therapeutic
by Mark Fonseca in United Academics
As it turns out, magic mushrooms don’t actually expand your brain, they contract it. But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, two new studies from the UK have revealed that psilocybin, the active ingredient found in magic mushrooms, could actually help treat depression... Read more »
Carhart-Harris, R., Erritzoe, D., Williams, T., Stone, J., Reed, L., Colasanti, A., Tyacke, R., Leech, R., Malizia, A., Murphy, K.... (2012) Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1119598109
- January 26, 2012
- 01:00 PM
- 32 views
Being Ignored By Strangers Threathens Our Need to Belong
by Carian Thus in United Academics
According to new research, feelings of social inclusion can come from something as simple as eye contact from a passer-by. On the other hand, it seems we are hurt when looked at as though air, even by a stranger.... Read more »
Wesselmann ED, Cardoso FD, Slater S, & Williams KD. (2012) To Be Looked at as Though Air: Civil Attention Matters. Psychological science. PMID: 22246319
- January 26, 2012
- 06:42 AM
- 65 views
Future Generation Hopes of Aboriginal Culture
by Mark Fonseca in United Academics
The theme this week is Australia, and although there are many wonderful things to learn about in the Australian context, there are also difficult issues related to the terrible treatment of indigenous people in the country’s past. Many researchers today are taking a critical look at these issues, addressing the questions about the current state and future of indigenous people and all aspects of their culture.... Read more »
Colquhoun, Simon and Dockery, & Alfred Michael. (2012) The link between Indigenous culture and wellbeing: Qualitative evidence for Australian Aboriginal peoples. CLMR DISCUSSION PAPER SERIES 2012/01. info:/
- January 25, 2012
- 10:00 PM
- 61 views
‘Wandjina Graffiti’ In the Streets of Perth – Art, Vandalism or Sacrilege?
by Carian Thus in United Academics
Although most street art is unsanctioned, many artists who have painted without permission have been glorified as artists, like the British street artist Banksy. Australia too has its own ‘famous, anonymous graffiti artist’ – re-purposing cultural traditions of the past into contemporary use.
... Read more »
Ursula Frederick, & Sue O’Conno. (2009) Art. Wandjina, graffiti and heritage: The power and politics of enduring imagery. Humanities Research. info:/
- January 25, 2012
- 12:29 PM
- 72 views
UA Podcast: Effects of Long Term Space Isolation
by Mark Fonseca in United Academics
In this program, our first edition of a new weekly podcast from United Academics, we hear from Dr. Schneider who explains what has been learned from the experiments and what this means for the mission to Mars. Press play to listen or download the podcast and listen to it later.... Read more »
Schneider, S., Brümmer, V., Carnahan, H., Kleinert, J., Piacentini, M., Meeusen, R., & Strüder, H. (2010) Exercise as a countermeasure to psycho-physiological deconditioning during long-term confinement. Behavioural Brain Research, 211(2), 208-214. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.03.034
- January 23, 2012
- 05:00 PM
- 83 views
Global Abortion Rate
by Mark Fonseca in United Academics
The global abortion rate, which had been declining steadily from 1995 to 2003, has now reportedly stalled at 28 per 1,000 women. According to the data released by the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organization (WHO)... Read more »
Sedgh, G., Singh, S., Shah, I., Åhman, E., Henshaw, S., & Bankole, A. (2012) Induced abortion: incidence and trends worldwide from 1995 to 2008. The Lancet. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61786-8
- January 23, 2012
- 03:00 PM
- 75 views
Tapas and Beer: It Can Be a Healthy Combination
by Jaime Menchen in United Academics
Ranging from fried fish to a few slices of dry-cured ham, they are not considered as the healthiest food when they become the lunch or dinner, but this idea might be wrong, experts from the Spanish Foundation for Nutrition (FEN) sa... Read more »
Veses Alcobendas, Ana María, & Marcos, Ascensión. (2010) Asociación entre el consumo moderado de cerveza tradicional y sin alcohol y la composición corporal. Centro de Información Cerveza y salud. DOI: hdl.handle.net/10261/40722
- January 23, 2012
- 07:05 AM
- 85 views
Ocean Acidification Has Risen Since Industrial Revolution
by Jaime Menchén in United Academics
A research team has reached new conclusion on ocean acidity: in the last two centuries, in some places acidity has risen more than in the previous 21,000 years.... Read more »
Friedrich, T., Timmermann, A., Abe-Ouchi, A., Bates, N., Chikamoto, M., Church, M., Dore, J., Gledhill, D., González-Dávila, M., Heinemann, M.... (2012) Detecting regional anthropogenic trends in ocean acidification against natural variability. Nature Climate Change. DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1372
- January 22, 2012
- 05:30 PM
- 97 views
Is Google Destroying Our Memory?
by Carian Thus in United Academics
If asked "what is the age of the oldest human being alife?" what do you think of? According to new research, you will probably think first of where you can find the answer on the ... Read more »
Betsy Sparrow, Jenny Liu, & Daniel M. Wegner. (2011) Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertip. Science Magazine. info:/10.1126/science.1207745
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