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Science News Archive February 2008 - Page 3


Page 3 of 19

'2-faced' particles act like tiny submarines

Scientists at North Carolina State University have developed Janus particles, microscopic spheres with different material properties on either side, which can move and respond to changes in their environment. The phenomenon, called induced-charge electrophoresis, has potential applications in microactuators, sensors, and drug delivery.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 27, 2008

Why juniper trees can live on less water

Junipers' adaptation to avoid 'cavitation' allows them to withstand dry conditions, while their low specific leaf area enables them to conserve water. This study reveals the key structural features behind juniper trees' exceptional drought tolerance.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateFeb 27, 2008

Exeter scientists pour cold water on EU bird policy

Researchers from the University of Exeter argue that EU conservation policy has failed to protect endangered birds due to flawed data and lack of monitoring. The study's findings challenge previous claims that EU policy had a positive impact on bird conservation, highlighting the need for systematic evaluation of conservation policies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScience·DateFeb 27, 2008

Breakthrough in plant research

Scientists at the University of Helsinki and the University of California have discovered a gene regulating carbon dioxide uptake and water evaporation in plants. This gene helps develop drought-tolerant crops, addressing climate change's impact on global food production.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2008

Race, insurance status affect access to transplantation and kidney disease treatment

Two studies suggest that universal access to healthcare can reduce racial and ethnic barriers to treatment for kidney disease. Minority patients and those on Medicare or with less education had longer dialysis times before being wait-listed, highlighting the need for improved insurance coverage.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 27, 2008

Polluted prey causes wild birds to change their tune

A new study found that male European starlings exposed to environmental pollutants develop more complex songs, which are preferred by females, and show reduced immune function. The researchers also discovered an enlargement of the brain area controlling song complexity due to estrogen exposure.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 26, 2008

Does artificial intelligence help clinicians to recognize atrophic gastritis with thyroid disease?

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that artificial neural networks can accurately predict thyroid disease in patients with atrophic body gastritis. The analysis of 253 ABG patients revealed a high accuracy rate of 76%, correctly identifying 82% of patients with thyroid disease.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 26, 2008

From detainee facility to health advocacy center: A new role for Guantanamo?

A new article suggests that the United States government should convert Guantanamo Bay into a biomedical research institute dedicated to combating diseases of poverty. The facility could conduct research on developing new drugs and vaccines, promote clinical research, and serve as a training ground for physicians and scientists.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 26, 2008

Facial asymmetry persists despite surgery to correct congenital deformity

A recent study led by Hasbro Children's Hospital surgeon Albert Oh found that adults with unilateral coronal synostosis, a type of craniosynostosis, still exhibit facial asymmetry years after corrective surgery. The research used three-dimensional photo technology to measure the faces of patients and found consistent rotation of the no...

SourceLifespan·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 26, 2008

Teens with treatment-resistant depression more likely to improve with combination therapy

A recent study published in JAMA found that teenagers with difficult-to-treat depression who switched to another antidepressant medication and added psychotherapy showed significant improvement. The results suggest that a combination approach may be more effective than traditional treatment strategies for adolescents with treatment-res...

Breast cancer patients suffer considerable wage losses in first year after diagnosis

A study of 829 Canadian women diagnosed with early breast cancer found that they lost an average of 27% of their typical income during the first 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers also discovered that wage losses were more common among less educated women, those with more serious disease, and those with less social support.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 26, 2008

Brain activity linked to the parental instinct

Research published in PLOS ONE found that the medial orbitofrontal cortex is highly specifically active within a seventh of a second in response to infant faces but not to adult faces. This finding has potentially important clinical application in relation to postnatal depression.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 26, 2008

Centuries-old Maya Blue mystery finally solved

Researchers from Wheaton College and The Field Museum discovered how the ancient Maya created the renowned blue pigment Maya Blue. They found that the pigment was produced through a ritual combination of indigo, palygorskite, and copal incense, which was then used in sacrificial ceremonies.

SourceField Museum·JournalAntiquity·DateFeb 26, 2008

Other highlights in the Feb. 26 JNCI

A large randomized trial of personalized interventions found that two behavioral interventions did not significantly increase regular mammograms in female veterans. The study's findings support the generalizability to the US female population, which has seen a decline in mammography rates. Meanwhile, another study suggests that viral D...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 26, 2008