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Science News for December 23, 2008


Protein sports drinks proven to give best performance

Research shows that protein sports drinks are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise. The study found that subjects who consumed a mix of carbohydrate and protein had lower self-reported fatigue levels and increased fat oxidation.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·DateDec 23, 2008

Cracking a tough nut for the semiconductor industry

Researchers at NIST have developed a new technique to measure the toughness of thin insulating films used in high-performance integrated circuits. This breakthrough could help improve the reliability and manufacturability of ICs by identifying films with brittle fracture failure, affecting both manufacturing yields and device reliability.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Materials Research·DateDec 23, 2008

With mental health insurance, price matters

A new study found that when the price of mental health services is equivalent to primary care co-payments, more people will seek follow-up care after an initial hospitalization for a mental illness. This leads to improved quality of care and reduced costs.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateDec 23, 2008

Needle/syringe programs and opioid substitution therapy should be widely available in prisons

Prisons have high-risk environments for HIV transmission due to needle-sharing. Implementing needle/syringe programs (NSPs) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) can reduce risky behavior, overdose deaths, and improve relationships between prisoners and staff. These measures are essential for protecting prisoners' health.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 23, 2008

Enhancing solar cells with nanoparticles

Researchers have developed a new method to boost the efficiency of solar cells by using nanoparticles. By scattering light and improving color-specific capture, this approach could significantly improve sunlight conversion rates.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateDec 23, 2008