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Science News for July 25, 2005


M.D.-Ph.D. student wins Hertz fellowship

Gwen Hoben, a M.D.-Ph.D. student at Rice University, has won the highly competitive Hertz fellowship to pursue her research in tissue engineering. The award provides funding for tuition and fees, as well as a $28,000 stipend, giving her more flexibility to explore scientific questions.

Posting and lurking

A study by Ann Schlosser found that reading negative reviews triggers concerns among posters about social outcomes, causing them to lower their ratings. In contrast, lurkers' private attitudes did not differ from those of posters.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 25, 2005

Ocean spray lubricates hurricane winds

A new study reveals that ocean spray plays a crucial role in lubricating the swirling winds of hurricanes and cyclones. The researchers found that large water droplets kicked up by rough seas can inhibit turbulence, allowing winds to build to speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2005

Study on female twins finds occupational class influences adult health, above early life conditions

A Harvard study found that adult occupational class has a significant impact on health outcomes, even after accounting for early childhood conditions and education level. Working-class twins were more likely to experience high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lower self-rated health compared to their professional counterparts.

Spaced out

The human brain employs complex responses for recollection, making it challenging to optimize advertising effectiveness. Research suggests that varying spacing repetitions can strengthen memory traces and improve recall.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 25, 2005

Improved statistical tools reveal many linked loci

Researchers have developed a new statistical method to identify linked genomic loci influencing gene expression in yeast, revealing 37% of gene expression traits link to two loci. The technique bypasses overwhelming computations and provides insights into the genetic basis of complex traits.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 25, 2005

New method shows it is possible to grow bone for grafts within a patient's body

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a new approach to tissue engineering that allows for the growth of predictable volumes of bone on demand. This method involves creating a 'bioreactor' space under the periosteum, a thin outer layer covering long bones, and filling it with a gel containing calcium to stimulate bone growth.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2005

Possible exposure to nerve agents and brain cancer deaths in Gulf War veterans

A recent study suggests that Gulf War veterans may be at a greater risk of developing brain cancer, potentially linked to exposure to nerve agents during the conflict. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report highlights the need for further research into this potential health consequence.

SourceNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 25, 2005

Multiple genetic 'flavors' may explain autism

Recent studies suggest that multiple rare mutations within a single gene may increase risk for autism. The SERT gene regulates brain levels of serotonin, which is involved in various biological processes and has been found to be elevated in about 25% of people with autism. SSRIs have improved some symptoms, leading scientists to propos...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2005

Identification of a protein important for Hepatitis B replication

Researchers have identified a protein, heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), that plays a crucial role in the replication of the Hepatitis B virus. This discovery offers new therapeutic opportunities by targeting human proteins involved in viral replication, providing hope for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B infections.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 25, 2005

Hospital experience and nursing improve cancer surgery outcome

Researchers found that hospitals performing over 10 cystectomies per year had statistically significant lower mortality and morbidity rates. Additionally, hospitals with a high nurse-to-patient ratio reduced post-operative mortality by more than 50 percent regardless of the hospital's cystectomy volume.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJul 25, 2005

Coral reef fish larvae settle close to home

Researchers tracked coral reef fish larvae using DNA paternity analysis and marking with tetracycline, finding that one third settled within a two-hectare area near their birth site. This study documents the smallest scale of dispersal for a marine fish species, providing insights into sustainable marine reserve management.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 25, 2005

Adult socioeconomic position and health of twins

Identical twins who differed in social class had significantly higher blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels compared to their professional counterparts. In contrast, educational attainment differences did not impact health status. This study provides insight into the additional effect of adult experiences on adult health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 25, 2005

Enlisting genomics to understand flu evolution

A large-scale genomic study found that co-circulating minor variants of the flu virus can exchange genes and create novel, epidemiologically significant strains. This process can lead to an epidemic with just one or two more mutations, challenging the traditional view of epidemic flu.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 25, 2005

Low colon cancer screening rates leaves a million New Yorkers at risk

A study of 9,802 NYC residents found that nearly half are not undergoing timely screening for colon cancer, with lower uptake among African-Americans, women, and those with limited access to healthcare. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted interventions to increase screening rates in poor and uninsured communities.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJul 25, 2005

What is the best treatment for postherpetic neuralgia?

The study highlights the need for personalized treatment approaches in postherpetic neuralgia. A quantitative systematic review of analgesic therapy found that treatments only worked in selected patients, suggesting a range of underlying mechanisms causing pain in different individuals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 25, 2005

Name your price

Researchers Sucharita Chandran and Vicki Morwitz found that participative pricing affects consumers' goal-related focus, influencing their cognitions and purchasing decisions. By measuring personal characteristics like perceived control, marketers can tailor offerings to match different consumer types.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 25, 2005

Corn fungus is nature's master blaster

Biologists discovered a common corn fungus can launch its spores at incredible speeds of up to 80 miles an hour. The spore travels only two-tenths of an inch before landing due to atmospheric drag, which plays a significant role in the physics of scaling.

SourceDuke University·JournalFungal Genetics and Biology·DateJul 25, 2005

Blink, and the brain misses it

Researchers used a novel method to monitor brain activity during blinking, finding that brain areas responsible for visual input are temporarily suppressed. This neural mechanism may help prevent the brain from becoming aware of the eyelid sweeping down over the pupil during a blink.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 25, 2005

Cassini reveals Saturn's eerie-sounding radio emissions

Researchers Bill Kurth and Don Gurnett used Cassini data to study Saturn's kilometric radiation, a phenomenon similar to Earth's northern lights. The higher resolution instrument provided detailed information on the spectrum and its variability, shedding new light on the radio emissions above Saturn's auroras.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 25, 2005

Gamble or play it safe?

The study found that consumers' risk preferences are contingent on their self-view, with interdependent self-view consumers choosing less risky alternatives. The researchers suggest that investors can infer their past choices by examining their current decision-making patterns.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 25, 2005

Deep thinking: Scientists sequence a cold-loving marine microbe

Researchers discover key biochemical tools that cold-adapted bacteria use to survive in subzero temperatures, including cell membranes packed with polyunsaturated fatty acids and protective solutes inside cells. The study also reveals potential industrial applications for cold-hardy enzymes found in the Colwellia psychrerythraea genome.

SourceThe Institute for Genomic Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2005

Patients learn more facts from videos but need contact with doctor to soothe their anxiety

A study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that patients learned more facts from educational videos than from their doctors during a clinic visit. However, the video was less effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels compared to face-to-face interactions with their doctors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateJul 25, 2005