Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2008 - Page 9


Page 9 of 22

Fuzzy logic water quality

Researchers develop data mining approach using Fuzzy Inference System to analyze river water quality, revealing high pollution levels despite individual parameter analysis. The method combines disparate parameters for a broader understanding of overall quality, potentially improving the lives of people relying on freshwater sources.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Technology and Management·DateApr 17, 2008

Scientists discover new arenavirus associated with hemorrhagic fever

A newly discovered arenavirus, Chapare virus, has been identified in a fatal hemorrhagic fever case in rural Bolivia. The virus produces clinical hemorrhagic symptoms similar to those associated with other New World arenaviruses, but genetically it is distinct from Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, and Sabia viruses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 17, 2008

Growth hormone is used to treat twice as many short boys than girls in the US and Asia

A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that in the US and Asia, boys are twice as likely to receive growth hormone treatment for short stature compared to girls. The gender disparity is smaller in Europe and Australia, suggesting cultural biases towards male height in some countries.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 17, 2008

Dam removal increases property values

Two studies found that removing dams in Maine increased property values by reducing a penalty for being near the dam site. The penalty has shrunk since dam removal, and it now affects properties further away from the dam more than those closer to the dam.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateApr 17, 2008

Sudden Oak Death pathogen is evolving, says new study that reconstructs the epidemic

A new study led by UC Berkeley researchers reconstructs the Sudden Oak Death epidemic in California, tracing the pathogen's spread from its introduction to its current evolution. The study finds that nurseries played a key role in spreading the disease and that climate and environmental conditions contribute to the pathogen's mortality.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateApr 16, 2008

Biogas production is all in the mixing

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have determined the importance of mixing in anaerobic digesters, which can produce biogas with manure waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination. The study suggests that increasing mixing intensity is crucial for successful operations.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateApr 16, 2008

Older people are nation's happiest

A recent study by the University of Chicago found that happiness in America increases with age, with older adults reporting higher levels of contentment. The research also discovered that baby boomers are less happy than other generations, while economic fluctuations can impact national happiness levels.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateApr 16, 2008

Is there anybody out there?

A mathematical model suggests that intelligent life emerging on other planets is low due to the short life span of Earth. The model, developed by Prof Andrew Watson, estimates the probability of each critical step occurring as 10% or less over four billion years.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAstrobiology·DateApr 16, 2008

Gestational age not only factor in outcome of severely premature healthy babies

A study published in New England Journal of Medicine found that female sex, antenatal corticosteroid treatment, singleton birth, and higher birth weight are equally important as gestational age in determining the care needs of these infants. The research involved nearly 4,500 infants born between 22-25 weeks gestation.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 16, 2008

NIH study reveals factors that influence premature infant survival, disability

A new NIH study has identified several factors that influence an extremely low birth weight infant's chances for survival and disability. These factors include sex, birthweight, single birth status, and antenatal steroids, which can predict individual outcomes and help guide treatment decisions.

Muscle mass may not fully explain higher creatinine in blacks with kidney disease

Researchers found that higher creatinine levels in black patients with kidney disease cannot be explained by differences in muscle mass. The study suggests new theories are needed to account for the racial difference, which could help explain why blacks are more affected by progressive chronic kidney disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 16, 2008

Breaking personal health records

Researchers develop basic framework for PHR adoption, addressing concerns around privacy and security. A comprehensive PHR can help patients become their own health advocates, access healthcare workers' opinions, and make informed decisions.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management·DateApr 16, 2008

Experiencing virtual products

Fraunhofer researchers develop a Functional DMU framework to simulate mechatronic products, enabling the evaluation of safety issues such as power windows. The virtual product can be tested with various software packages, including SimPack, Matlab/Simulink, and Dymola.