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Science News for August 4, 2008


Little teeth suggest big jump in primate timeline

The discovery of tiny fossilized teeth from India pushes the primate timeline back by almost 10 million years, revealing a new genus and species of anthropoid primates. The findings suggest these early primates lived on a fruit and insect diet and were no larger than modern dwarf lemurs.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2008

Study: verbal aggression may affect children's behavior

A new study by Purdue University researchers found that mothers who use verbally aggressive language with their children tend to direct them less and more negatively. The study, which observed 40 mothers playing with their children aged 3-8, revealed that verbally aggressive mothers were less cooperative and undermined their child's se...

SourcePurdue University·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateAug 4, 2008

Beefing up the Sunday roast

Researchers focus on two muscle fibre types to achieve tastier cuts of meat without sacrificing production values. The study aims to identify genes important in slow muscle growth, enabling farmers to breed naturally flavorful and succulent meat.

Estrogen relieves psychotic symptoms in women with schizophrenia

A randomized, double-blind study involving 102 women with schizophrenia found that estrogen estradiol improved psychotic symptoms more effectively than antipsychotic medications alone. No significant difference was observed in negative symptoms, suggesting potential for longer-term treatment or alternative approaches.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateAug 4, 2008

Human brains pay a price for being big

Research suggests that schizophrenia may be a by-product of human brain evolution, driven by increased metabolic demands. The study found molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of human cognitive abilities and identified changes in gene expression and metabolite concentrations in both healthy humans and individuals with schizop...

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateAug 4, 2008

Psychiatrists shift away from providing psychotherapy

A recent study found that the provision of psychotherapy by US psychiatrists declined significantly between 1996 and 2005, with a decline in both office-based visits and the percentage of patients receiving therapy. This shift is attributed to reimbursement policies favoring brief medication management visits over psychotherapy.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateAug 4, 2008

Maternal deaths following cesarean delivery can be reduced

Maternal death rates in the US remain constant, but a study suggests reducing cesarean-related deaths by implementing thromboprophylaxis can lower mortality. The risk of death attributable to cesarean delivery is approximately 2/100,000 procedures, which can be significantly reduced with universal thromboembolism prophylaxis.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateAug 4, 2008

Memory, depression, insomnia -- and worms?

A new study has identified a key molecular sensor in worms that allows them to respond to ultraviolet light, which may provide insights into nerve cell communication and learning. The discovery could potentially lead to new treatments for conditions such as depression and sleep disorders.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 4, 2008

Research exposes new target for malaria drugs

A study has identified a specific region of the PfEMP1 protein as crucial for attaching to placental walls, which could lead to new drug targets to prevent malaria-related complications during pregnancy. Researchers hope that mimicking this binding domain with pharmaceuticals may help develop immunity in women living in endemic regions.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 4, 2008

Saving our bees

Ecologists assess the impact of human activity on bee populations and explore alternatives with native bees serving as 'biological insurance.' A study found that areas with extreme fragmentation have smaller bee populations and fewer species.

Key to virulence protein entry into host cells discovered

Researchers from Virginia Tech have identified a region of virulence proteins that enables them to enter the cells of their hosts, suppressing the immune system and allowing infection to progress. The discovery may lead to new approaches for blocking infections by both oomycete and malaria parasites.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2008

New prognostic model for traumatic brain injury

Researchers created a new prognostic model for traumatic brain injury using patient characteristics from the IMPACT database, including age, motor component of Glasgow coma score, and pupillary reactivity. The model also includes haemoglobin and glucose measurement, providing a more comprehensive prediction of outcomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 4, 2008

1 in 10 children using cough, cold medications

Researchers found that at least one cough and cold medication was used by 10.1% of US children in a given week, with exposures to decongestants and antihistamines being the highest. The study also revealed that the use of these medications declined from 12.3% in 1999-2000 to 8.4% in 2005-2006.

SourceBoston University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 4, 2008

Stanford study uses genetic evidence to trace ancient African migration

Researchers used a genetic technique pioneered at Stanford to analyze Y chromosomes from men in Tanzania and southern Africa. They discovered a novel mutation shared by some men in both locations, implying a common ancestor, and found that pastoralists first tended sheep and cattle in southern Africa around 2,000 years ago. This new ge...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2008