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Science News for November 19, 2007


NIH grants enable energy studies

The NIH grants will support the study of cytochrome c biogenesis pathways in bacteria and humans. The long-term goal is to engineer electrical nanowires into E.coli to make an efficient biofuel cell. Researchers will also develop a screen to find inhibitors of the pathways, which could be potential antimicrobial agents.

Capacity and consent in Canada

The Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights divergent capacity and consent laws across provinces, impacting patient care and decision-making. The authors call for a national debate on the issues, advocating for explicit national standards that include family and caregiver involvement.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 19, 2007

Regulation of the retinoic acid gradient in zebrafish embryos

Researchers found that zebrafish embryos regulate levels of retinoic acid within a certain range, using an enzyme called Cyp26a1 to degrade excess acid and proteins like fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) to slow down degradation when levels drop too low. This regulation helps maintain a robust gradient of retinoic acid.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 19, 2007

Collaboration between medical specialties benefits patients

Papers published in this issue highlight the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, revealing treatments that spare patients' eyes during cancer treatment and develop new techniques to increase orbital volume. These advancements demonstrate enormous opportunities for knowledge advancement through specialty collaboration.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Facial Plastic Surgery·DateNov 19, 2007

Older workers stress less, U-M study suggests

The study found that older workers generally reported low levels of work-related stress, with 47% agreeing that time pressures are a source of job stress. Workers who experience less job stress are more satisfied with their life and are overall in better physical health compared to those who report higher levels of job stressors.

ESA honored at White House ceremony

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) received the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award recognizes ESA's Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) program, which has increased diversity among its members and provided mentoring opportunities ...

Eating disorders in adolescents

Research suggests that male adolescents are more likely to practice weight control behaviors and develop eating disorder symptoms due to societal pressures. In contrast, black female adolescents appear to resist these pressures, but may be at risk of becoming overweight in a culture that emphasizes super-sized portions.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateNov 19, 2007

Kaiser Permanente/Harvard Medical School study links lack of sleep to weight gain for new moms

A study by Kaiser Permanente and Harvard Medical School found that new mothers who slept five hours or less per day had a threefold higher risk for substantial weight retention (11 pounds or more) at their baby’s first birthday. Getting enough sleep, even just two hours more, may be as important as a healthy diet and exercise for new m...

SourceEdelman Public Relations, New York·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateNov 19, 2007

Unstable housing status increases the risk of HIV transmission

Research highlights correlation between unstable housing and higher likelihood of HIV transmission; stable housing linked to reduced risk behaviors and improved healthcare outcomes. Findings challenge prevailing models and suggest housing as a key target for intervention to combat the AIDS epidemic.

SourceSpringer·JournalAIDS and Behavior·DateNov 19, 2007

Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences for employees and employers

A meta-analysis of 46 studies on telecommuting involving 12,833 employees found that flexible work arrangements result in higher morale, lower employee stress, and improved performance ratings. The study also showed that women may derive greater benefits from telecommuting, with improved career prospects and better work-life balance.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateNov 19, 2007

Asian men who smoke may have increased risk for hair loss

A survey of 740 Taiwanese men found a statistically significant positive association between smoking and moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia, a common type of hair loss in men. The study suggests that smoking may destroy hair follicles or damage the papilla that circulates blood and hormones to stimulate hair growth.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateNov 19, 2007

Penn researchers use brain imaging to demonstrate how men and women cope differently under stress

A study using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans found that men and women's brains respond differently to stress, with women exhibiting stronger lasting responses in the limbic system involved in emotion. The findings suggest a fundamental difference in stress response between genders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2007

Sinus problems are treated well with safe, inexpensive treatment

A new study from Michigan Medicine found that nasal irrigations with saline are more effective than saline sprays in providing short-term relief of chronic nasal and sinus symptoms. The treatment resulted in a clinically significant improvement in quality of life, with participants experiencing 50% lower odds of frequent nasal symptoms.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateNov 19, 2007

Drug-eluting stents yield better outcomes than bare-metal ones

Researchers found that drug-eluting stents were not associated with excess risk of death or heart attack compared to bare-metal stents, with a cumulative mortality rate of 7.6% vs 8.7%. The study also showed reduced target vessel revascularization rates and enhanced durability of initial angioplasty with drug-eluting stents.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 19, 2007

How do we make sense of what we see?

A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that the brain uses a mechanism in the V2 region to identify figure and background regions of an image, providing a structure for conscious perception. This mechanism enables the brain to quickly generate a foreground-background map, allowing us to focus attention on one region at a time.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2007

New research helps explain how tumors go undetected by the body

Scientists discovered that regulatory T cells can reverse macrophages' role in causing inflammation, allowing tumors to go undetected by the body's natural defenses. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for tumors and could also be applied to block chronic inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2007

Less is more when fighting crime

Researchers found that most crime is committed by a small fraction of criminals, and investing in rehabilitation for these individuals may have prevented some murders. By focusing on high-risk areas, governments can reduce crime and violence with more efficient resource allocation.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Experimental Criminology·DateNov 19, 2007

Cameras never lie -- but doctored photos can change history

Research published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that doctored photos of past events can change people's memories and attitudes. The study showed significant differences in responses between those who viewed original and doctored images, highlighting the impact of manipulated media on our recall of history.

SourceWiley·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateNov 19, 2007