Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2007


Page 1 of 16

Climate change threatens Siberian forests

A University of Leicester study found that climate change contributes to forest fires in Central Siberia, with temperatures rising by almost two degrees Celsius. The changing climate has led to an earlier onset of spring, affecting the timing of plant growth and carbon uptake.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalJournal of Climate·DateJul 31, 2007

Hydrogen peroxide could cause absorbable sutures to come apart, UT Southwestern researchers report

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that hydrogen peroxide decreases the tensile strength of absorbable sutures. In contrast, cleaning with distilled water did not harm their strength. The study suggests that patients using hydrogen peroxide on such sutures may be at risk for weakened healing and hypertrophic scars.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalArchives of Facial Plastic Surgery·DateJul 31, 2007

UF to lead research on life-threatening fungus

The University of Florida is leading a $9 million NIH-funded research project to better understand the life-threatening Aspergillus fungus, which affects cancer patients and transplant recipients. The repository will support research on developing accurate tests for detection, with goals to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed.

Why do people have sex?

A comprehensive study by University of Texas researchers reveals 237 complex motivations for human sex, including physical, emotional, and insecurity-based factors. The findings challenge common assumptions about the simplicity of human sexuality.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateJul 31, 2007

Reading a face is tricky business

A Northwestern University study found that electrical activity in the brain is altered within 200 milliseconds when viewing subliminal emotional expressions, leading to biased ratings of facial expressions. Those with anxiety tend to exhibit stronger brain responses to fear-primed expressions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateJul 31, 2007

Researchers find older folks don't get the joke

Older adults experience cognitive decline that affects their ability to comprehend humor, according to Washington University researchers. However, this decline does not mean they cannot understand humor, and previous experiences, preferences, and personality play a significant role in humor comprehension.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateJul 31, 2007

MicroRNA conflict resolution

Researchers developed a cell-free system to investigate microRNA function, providing unprecedented insight into how miRNAs repress translation. The study resolves the current conflict over miRNA action by showing that miRNAs recruit complexes containing Ago2 and GW182 proteins.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 31, 2007

High rates of HIV infection documented among young Nepalese girls sex-trafficked to India

A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study documents high rates of HIV infection among young Nepalese girls trafficked to India, with 60.6% infected among those trafficked prior to age 15. The study highlights the dire health consequences of sex trafficking and the need for improved prevention measures.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJul 31, 2007

New databases put wings on search for bipolar risk genes

The Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database offers a comprehensive resource for researchers to identify genes linked to bipolar disorder, utilizing over 5,000 patients' clinical data and DNA samples. This database complements existing genetic data and enables researchers to correlate specific symptoms with genetic material.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 31, 2007