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Science News Archive March 2006 - Page 15


Page 15 of 18

Some heart patients vulnerable to mental stress

Researchers found that a third of patients without signs of reduced blood flow during exercise testing had temporary changes in heart rhythm or restricted blood flow when role-playing stressful situations. This phenomenon may indicate more severe coronary artery disease in these patients.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 6, 2006

Smallest Triceratops skull ever found provides clues to dinosaur's growth

The newly discovered Triceratops skull provides valuable insights into the dinosaur's growth patterns, suggesting that its horns and frill had a purpose beyond sexual display. The fossil, estimated to be around three years old, shows significant changes in the development of its frill and horn shape from juvenile to adult stages.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateMar 6, 2006

Postpartum depressive symptoms in mothers associated with some unfavorable parenting practices

Research finds that postpartum depressive symptoms in mothers are associated with reduced breastfeeding rates, less frequent playtime, and reduced interaction with infants. The study emphasizes the need for pediatricians to screen for maternal depressive symptoms and provide guidance on interactive parenting practices.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateMar 6, 2006

How to grow a bigger brain

Researchers found that fish raised with environmental features, such as small stones, had larger brains and a more developed cerebellum than those without. The study's findings could impact the design of hatcheries for breeding fish to restock wild populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

SAGE launches research journal focusing on women, girls, and crime

The journal will focus on empirical research and theory related to women and girls in the criminal justice system, including research on female offenders and victims. It aims to demonstrate the gendered nature of crime and responses to crime, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of female criminality.

SourceSAGE·JournalFeminist Criminology·DateMar 6, 2006

Dying of excitement

A mutation in the EAAT2 gene, which regulates glutamate levels in the brain, is associated with elevated plasma glutamate and increased risk of post-stroke neurological problems. Stroke patients with the mutated allele had higher plasma glutamate levels and more severe neurological outcomes than those with the normal allele.

SourceJournal of Experimental Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 6, 2006

Mother's depressive symptoms contribute unfavorably to parenting practices

A study found that nearly 18% of mothers experience depression in early infancy and that maternal depressive symptoms have an unfavorable impact on active engagement with the child. Mothers with depressive symptoms were less likely to play with their infants daily and show them books compared to those without symptoms.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateMar 6, 2006

Tomorrow's endangered species: Act now to protect species not yet under threat

A new study identifies areas with potential species extinction risk, highlighting the need for proactive conservation efforts. Researchers found that many species currently deemed safe could leapfrog into high threat categories, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable species before they become endangered.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2006

Flu in the subtropics

Researchers in Hong Kong found that flu outbreaks increase hospital admissions for heart conditions, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Influenza was responsible for 11.6% of respiratory disease admissions, comparable to temperate countries.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 6, 2006

Reducing teens' intake of sugary drinks

A randomized controlled trial led by Cara Ebbeling and David Ludwig found that a six-month beverage-focused intervention reduced sugary drink intake in teens by 82% and resulted in significant weight loss. The study suggests that making noncaloric beverages available to adolescents can have a substantial impact on body weight.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 6, 2006

New study confirms the ecological virtues of organic farming

A new Stanford University study found that organic fertilizers produced less environmental harm than synthetic chemicals, reducing nitrogen pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming also promoted the growth of beneficial denitrifying bacteria, which converted excess nitrates into harmless gases.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2006

Active inbreeding avoidance in wild capuchin monkeys

A 14-year study of wild capuchin monkeys reveals that fathers almost never mate with their daughters, despite alpha males siring most offspring from unrelated females. This suggests the evolution of sophisticated behavioral barriers to prevent inbreeding within individual populations.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

Mining the human genome for signs of recent selection

Researchers analyzed genetic data from three distinct populations and found roughly the same number of signals of positive selection within each population. The study also identified previously known sites of recent adaptation, such as the lactase gene, which enabled the digestion of milk to continue into adulthood.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

Training improves sound localization in ferrets

Researchers trained adult ferrets to localize sounds despite obstructed hearing, finding that frequency of training was crucial for improvement. The study showed that the brain can adapt to abnormal spatial cues rapidly with intensive training, suggesting potential benefits for patients with hearing disorders.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

Electrons flying 'backwards' in Saturn's sky

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered 'anti-planetary' electron rays on Saturn that fly away from the planet, similar to those observed on Earth. These findings suggest a fundamental process underlying polar lights, which were previously only seen on our planet.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMar 6, 2006