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Science News for September 6, 2007


Parenting help for bipolar mums and dads

A new study is providing highly successful parenting skills to parents with bipolar disorder, using the Triple P Positive Parenting Programme. The program has been shown to improve behavior in children and increase parental confidence, particularly for those experiencing instability of mood and behavior.

Don't just save her life, save her fertility

The Oncofertility Consortium seeks to alter the medical world's approach to female cancer patients, promoting a new consciousness to protect their reproductive health. Researchers will investigate fertility threats posed by cancer treatment and develop strategies to improve communication with newly diagnosed patients.

Preventing variceal bleeding

Researchers found beta blockers to be more effective and safer than banding in reducing the risk of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. The study, published in Liver Transplantation, compared the two treatments and found that beta blockers lowered the risk of bleeding by over 90%, while banding reduced the risk by less than 70%.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateSep 6, 2007

Bee researchers close in on Colony Collapse Disorder

A team of researchers has found a strong correlation between Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) genetic material and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in bees. The prevalence of IAPV, the timing of outbreaks, and geographical circumstances suggest that IAPV is a significant marker for CCD.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 2007

A balanced memory network

A study published in PLoS Computational Biology found that the number of memories stored in the brain is limited by the number of connections between neurons, not the number of neurons. This means that a typical human brain can store at most about 500 memories, regardless of its size.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 6, 2007

Old developmental pathways spawn revolutionary evolutionary changes

A team of researchers, including Arizona State University's Gro Amdam, has discovered that the Polistes wasp's larval environment determines its future royal stature through environmental cues. The study sheds light on how developmental diapause and reproduction can be adopted in primitively social settings to result in complex social ...

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 6, 2007

Height or flight?

New evidence from a tiny Mongolian dinosaur suggests that small size evolved before flight in dinosaurs, forcing paleontologists to re-examine their assumptions about the evolution of birds. The study found that some dinosaur lineages actually increased in size over time, contradicting previous theories.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 2007

Skin as a living coloring book

Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital found that the Foxn1 gene determines where pigment is deposited in the epidermis and hair. The study reveals that melanocytes deliver melanin to specific cells indicated by the Foxn1 gene, which acts as a map for pigment distribution.

Elsevier launches new journal: Stem Cell Research

The new journal Stem Cell Research will cover all aspects of stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells, cancer stem cells, and developmental studies. It aims to disseminate the results of ongoing research in this rapidly expanding field, with a focus on high-quality peer-reviewed studies.

SourceElsevier·JournalStem Cell Research·DateSep 6, 2007

Primates expect others to act rationally

A new study by Harvard researchers found that non-human primates infer intentions based on rational action, not just surface-level appearances. The primates chose the most accessible food container in each scenario, demonstrating a human-like understanding of others' goals and actions.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateSep 6, 2007

Study identifies genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus

Researchers have identified a genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus, with the STAT4 gene variant linked to increased disease risk in both conditions. The study suggests a shared disease pathway between RA and lupus, paving the way for potential new therapies targeting this pathway.

Drug's potential adverse side effect explained

A new study suggests that PPAR-gamma agonists, used to treat diabetes, may cause heart failure due to fat accumulation and cell dysfunction. Increased activity of the receptor leads to glucolipotoxicity, a condition characterized by deterioration in heart function.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 6, 2007

Hunger hormone fights aging in the thymus

Research suggests that ghrelin improves thymic mass and T cell output with increased diversity of the TCR repertoire in mice, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic approach to boost immune function in elderly or immunocompromised individuals.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 6, 2007

JCI table of contents: Sept. 6, 2007

Researchers discover ghrelin promotes thymopoiesis during aging, boosting T cell output, while also finding PPAR-gamma agonists exacerbate cardiac dysfunction due to glucolipotoxicity. Additionally, a study finds osteopontin deficiency in mice leads to improved insulin sensitivity despite obesity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 6, 2007