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The latest science news stories, science current events, scientific research and discoveries in earth science, life science, space science, health, medicine, environmental issues, nanotechnology, climate change, weather and technology from research facilities, universities, government agencies and medical centers. Previous | Next
Morality research sheds light on the origins of religion Cell Press The details surrounding the emergence and evolution of religion have not been clearly established and remain a source of much debate among scholars. Patients 'unafraid' to gamble highlight role of amygdala in decision-making Wellcome Trust Two patients with rare lesions to the brain have provided direct of evidence of how we make decisions - and what makes us dislike the thought of losing money. Brown biologist solves mystery of tropical grasses' origin Brown University Around 30 to 40 million years ago, grasses on Earth underwent an epic evolutionary upheaval. An assemblage capitalized on falling levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide by engineering an internal mechanism to concentrate the dwindling CO2 supply that, like a fuel-injection system in a car, could more efficiently convert sunlight and nutrients into energy. Drug shows promise for Huntington's disease University of Rochester Medical Center An early stage clinical trial of the experimental drug dimebon (latrepirdine) in people with Huntington's disease appears to be safe and may improve cognition. That is the conclusion of a study published today in the Archives of Neurology. Millimeter-scale, energy-harvesting sensor system developed University of Michigan A 9 cubic millimeter solar-powered sensor system developed at the University of Michigan is the smallest that can harvest energy from its surroundings to operate nearly perpetually. Medication appears well-tolerated, beneficial in Huntington's disease patients JAMA and Archives Journals A medication previously studied in patients with Alzheimer's disease (latrepirdine) appears well tolerated and may improve thinking, learning and memory skills among individuals with Huntington's disease. The private sale of drugs in public hospitals Canadian Medical Association Journal Governments are under increasing pressure to provide access to expensive new drugs. Canadian patients who want access to drugs that are not publicly insured are seeking to pay for these drugs within public hospitals. Study reveals new details on the dangers of third-hand smoke DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Nicotine in third-hand smoke, the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces long after a cigarette has been extinguished, reacts with the common indoor air pollutant nitrous acid to produce dangerous carcinogens. Mediterranean diet may lower risk of brain damage that causes thinking problems American Academy of Neurology A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory. Hand-grip strength associated with poor survival Canadian Medical Association Journal Poor or declining handgrip strength in the oldest old is associated with poor survival and may be used as a tool to assess mortality, found an article in CMAJ. Nicotine replacement therapy is over-promoted since most ex-smokers quit unassisted Public Library of Science Health authorities should emphasize the positive message that the most successful method used by most ex-smokers is unassisted cessation, despite the promotion of cessation drugs by pharmaceutical companies and many tobacco control advocates. Caltech neuroscientists discover brain area responsible for fear of losing money California Institute of Technology Neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and their colleagues have tied the human aversion to losing money to a specific structure in the brain-the amygdala. New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury Canadian Medical Association Journal A new tool may help standardize the use of computed tomography (CT scans) in children with minor head injury and help reduce the number of scans. Study examines course and treatment of unexplained chest pain JAMA and Archives Journals Fewer than half of individuals who have "non-specific" chest pain (not explained by a well-known condition) experience relief from symptoms following standard medical care, according to a report in the February 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Hypertension may predict dementia in older adults with certain cognitive deficits JAMA and Archives Journals High blood pressure appears to predict the progression to dementia in older adults with impaired executive functions (ability to organize thoughts and make decisions) but not in those with memory dysfunction. High-altitude climbs may cause corneal swelling, but do not appear to affect vision JAMA and Archives Journals Swelling commonly occurs in the corneas of mountain climbers, but does not appear to affect vision at altitudes of up to 6,300 meters (about 20,670 feet), according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Depressed people feel more gray than blue BioMed Central People with anxiety and depression are most likely to use a shade of gray to represent their mental state. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Medical Research Methodology describe the development of a color chart, The Manchester Color Wheel, which can be used to study people's preferred pigment in relation to their state of mind. Will earlier springs throw nature out of step? Centre for Ecology & Hydrology The recent trend towards earlier UK springs and summers has been accelerating, according to a study published today (9 February 2010) in the scientific journal Global Change Biology. Antiretroviral therapy associated with increase in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa Public Library of Science In PLoS Medicine this week a study conducted in a multi-country HIV treatment program in sub-Saharan Africa has found that pregnancy rates increase in HIV-infected women after they start antiretroviral therapy (ART). Glaucoma medications may be associated with reduced risk of death over 4-year period JAMA and Archives Journals Glaucoma patients who take medication for the condition appear to have a reduced likelihood of death, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Researchers reveal 3-D structure of bullet-shaped virus with potential to fight cancer, HIV University of California - Los Angeles Vesicular stomatitis virus, or VSV, has long been a model system for studying and understanding the life cycle of negative-strand RNA viruses, which include viruses that cause influenza, measles and rabies. Method of the future uses single-cell imaging to identify gene interactions Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cellular imaging offers a wealth of data about how cells respond to stimuli, but harnessing this technique to study biological systems is a daunting challenge. Usual care often not consistent with clinical guidelines for low back pain JAMA and Archives Journals Australian general practitioners often treat patients with low back pain in a manner that does not appear to match the care endorsed by international clinical guidelines, according to a report in the February 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Gadgets not related to teenagers' brain pain BioMed Central Use of most electronic media is not associated with headaches, at least not in adolescents. A study of 1025 13-17 year olds, published in the open access journal BMC Neurology, found no association between the use of computer games, mobile phones or television and the occurrence of headaches or migraines. However, listening to one or two hours of music every day was associated with a pounding head. Lower detection of prostate cancer with PSA screening in US than in a European randomized trial Journal of the National Cancer Institute Fewer prostate cancers were detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the U.S. than in a European randomized trial because of lower screening sensitivity, according to a new brief communication published online February 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. |
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