Why do researchers often prefer safe over risky projects? Explaining risk aversion in science

A mathematical framework that builds on the economic theory of hidden-action models provides insight into how the unobservable nature of effort and risk shapes investigators' research strategies and the incentive structures within which they work, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240815163634.htm

Identifying 'stealth' sources of saturated fat, added sugar in the diet

A newly compiled list of foods and drinks commonly consumed in the United States hints at why many adults unknowingly overdo it on saturated fat and added sugar in their daily diet, a new study suggests. Beyond the biggest sources of each dietary category -- cheese for saturated fat and soft drinks for added sugar -- the study identifies a longer list of popular sources that helps explain why it's so hard to limit fat and sugar to the recommended 10% of daily calories.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240815163606.htm

As human activities expand in Antarctica, scientists identify crucial conservation sites

Establishing Key Biodiversity Areas in the Southern Ocean will be vital for safeguarding the ecosystem from the impact of human activities, researchers say.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240815130613.htm

Climate reporting standards insufficient, must be expanded, say experts

A new article concludes that current climate standards are not sufficiently incentivizing the big picture innovations necessary to deliver net zero, and must be expanded to include a company's broader influence on climate action.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814211149.htm

Researchers unveil mysteries of ancient Earth

A team of researchers has made strides in understanding the formation of massif-type anorthosites, enigmatic rocks that only formed during the middle part of Earth's history. These plagioclase-rich igneous rock formations, which can cover areas as large as 42,000 square kilometers and host titanium ore deposits, have puzzled scientists for decades due to conflicting theories about their origins.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814170336.htm

Researchers unveil mysteries of ancient Earth

A team of researchers has made strides in understanding the formation of massif-type anorthosites, enigmatic rocks that only formed during the middle part of Earth's history. These plagioclase-rich igneous rock formations, which can cover areas as large as 42,000 square kilometers and host titanium ore deposits, have puzzled scientists for decades due to conflicting theories about their origins.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814170336.htm

Researchers unveil mysteries of ancient Earth

A team of researchers has made strides in understanding the formation of massif-type anorthosites, enigmatic rocks that only formed during the middle part of Earth's history. These plagioclase-rich igneous rock formations, which can cover areas as large as 42,000 square kilometers and host titanium ore deposits, have puzzled scientists for decades due to conflicting theories about their origins.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814170336.htm

Researchers unveil mysteries of ancient Earth

A team of researchers has made strides in understanding the formation of massif-type anorthosites, enigmatic rocks that only formed during the middle part of Earth's history. These plagioclase-rich igneous rock formations, which can cover areas as large as 42,000 square kilometers and host titanium ore deposits, have puzzled scientists for decades due to conflicting theories about their origins.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814170336.htm

Venting your frustrations can make friends like you better -- if you do it right

Venting about your frustrations with one friend to another may feel good, but it doesn't necessarily reduce anger. Experiments showed that people who listened to a friend vent liked and supported that person more than those who were vented about -- but only if the person venting didn't derogate or seem aggressive toward the other friend. Venting might be an effective tool of competition for listeners' affections precisely because it is not readily recognized as a tool of competition.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814170317.htm

How bread dough gave rise to civilization

A major international study has explained how bread wheat helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814124651.htm

New research identifies early sensorimotor markers for autism spectrum disorder

A study has uncovered significant findings related to the early sensorimotor features and cognitive abilities of toddlers who are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240814124643.htm

Swipe up! Health apps deliver real results en masse

They're the little digital tools you can download in a few seconds, but despite their literal size, health and fitness apps pack a real punch when it comes to getting results, say researchers.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240813192350.htm

Common equine painkiller disrupts assisted reproduction technique efficiency in mares

Researchers have discovered that phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly prescribed in horses, can affect the ability of a mare's egg cells -- called 'oocytes' -- to become viable embryos, which is a crucial step in assisted reproduction in horses.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240813164647.htm

SwRI-led team finds evidence of hydration on Asteroid Psyche

Using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have confirmed hydroxyl molecules on the surface of the metallic asteroid Psyche. The presence of hydrated minerals suggests a complex history for Psyche, important context for the NASA spacecraft en route to this interesting asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240813152147.htm

Measuring Martian winds with sound

Martian landers have been able capture measurements of wind speeds -- some gauging the cooling rate of heated materials when winds blow over them, others using cameras to image 'tell-tales' that blow in the wind -- but there's still room for improvement. Researchers now demonstrate a novel sonic anemometric system featuring a pair of narrow-band piezoelectric transducers to measure the travel time of sound pulses through Martian air. The study accounted for variables including transducer diffraction effects and wind direction.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240813132036.htm

Starvation and adhesion drive formation of keratinocyte patterns in skin

Cell-cell adhesion-induced patterning in keratinocytes can be explained by just starvation and strong adhesion researchers find.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812210603.htm

Starvation and adhesion drive formation of keratinocyte patterns in skin

Cell-cell adhesion-induced patterning in keratinocytes can be explained by just starvation and strong adhesion researchers find.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812210603.htm

New method for orchestrating successful collaboration among robots

New research shows that programming robots to create their own teams and voluntarily wait for their teammates results in faster task completion, with the potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture and warehouse automation.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812165455.htm

Scientists identify genes linked to relapse in the most common form of childhood leukemia

Scientists have identified novel genetic variations that influence relapse risk in children with standard risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (SR B-ALL), the most common childhood cancer.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812160253.htm

Fallopian tubes can be safely removed during sterilization, study suggests

Women whose Fallopian tubes are removed during sterilization via laparoscopy have only marginally more surgical complications than those whose tubes are simply cut, a study shows. The removal, salpingectomy, is a safe procedure that can help protect against future ovarian cancer, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123313.htm