Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 25, 2008


Salutary pizza spice

Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered that oregano's active ingredient beta-caryophyllin inhibits inflammation and may help treat osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, and chronic disorders like Crohn's disease. The substance targets cannabinoid-CB2 receptors, providing a non-intoxicating alternative to existing treatments.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2008

Disclosure of organ transplant risks: A question of when, not if

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine team proposes a new policy requiring transplant programs to disclose all foreseeable risks of the surgery to potential recipients at the waiting list. This change aims to promote greater equity in organ allocation and restrict 'cherry-picking' of organs from suitable but suboptimal donors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 25, 2008

Implicit political attitudes can predict future voting behavior

A new study in Political Psychology reveals that people's future voting decisions are influenced by their unconscious automatic mental associations. Researchers found a clear relation between implicit attitudes and subsequent voting behavior, with undecided voters' automatic preferences predicting their vote four weeks later.

SourceWiley·JournalPolitical Psychology·DateJun 25, 2008

Fire under the ice

An international team of researchers has discovered extensive layers of volcanic ash on the seafloor of the Gakkel Ridge in the Arctic Ocean, indicating a gigantic volcanic eruption. The find challenges previous assumptions that explosive volcanism cannot occur at great water depths.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateJun 25, 2008

Was it good for you too?

A new study by Professor Anne Campbell found that women are more likely to experience regret and decreased satisfaction after a one-night stand compared to men. Despite taking part in casual sex, women do not view it as a precursor to long-term relationships.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateJun 25, 2008

1 step closer to green chemistry and improved pharmaceuticals

A team of researchers at the University of Copenhagen has developed a new mathematical model to describe the three-dimensional shape of proteins. This breakthrough tool will aid in the development of more efficient pharmaceuticals for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS by enhancing understanding of protein structures.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2008

Atchison receives Behavioral, Epidemiological and Health Services Research Award

Dr. Kathryn Atchison is being recognized for her outstanding achievements in dental public health and behavioral sciences, with over 70 peer-reviewed articles and a well-funded research program. She serves as Vice- Provost of Intellectual Property & Industrial Relations at UCLA and has held various leadership positions in the Ameri...

Purple extremist thrives under inhospitable conditions

Researchers at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research identify enzyme that requires acids and dissolved metals to function, repairing genetic damage under extreme conditions. This discovery opens up new possibilities for biotechnological applications and potential treatments for diseases characterized by over-acidification.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2008

Independent thinkers judge distances differently than holistic types

A new study reveals that individuals with an independent self-construal are more likely to misjudge distances, while those with an interdependent self-construal perform better when considering multiple factors. This difference affects spatial judgments and highlights the importance of cultural background in shaping our perceptions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 25, 2008

Low childhood IQ linked to type of dementia

A study published in Neurology found that children with lower IQs are more likely to develop vascular dementia later in life. The research compared the cognitive abilities of 173 people who developed dementia to those who did not, and found a significant link between low childhood IQ and an increased risk of vascular dementia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJun 25, 2008

Giant impact explains Mars dichotomy

Scientists at Caltech used computer modeling to demonstrate that the Mars dichotomy can be explained by one giant impact early in the planet's history. The study found that an impact energy of around 10^29 joules, equivalent to 100 billion gigatons of TNT, would have created the lowlands and highlands on Mars.

State policies influence drug treatment programs

A study found that state policies requiring comprehensive diagnostic criteria and specific services are associated with positive treatment outcomes. Most programs performed diagnostic assessment, group and individual therapy, but had lower rates of family counseling.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateJun 25, 2008

Too many choices can spoil the research

A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that more complex and statistically efficient choice experiments result in less consistent participant responses. The researchers suggest that optimal design choices may impose a higher cognitive load on participants, leading to decreased consistency in their decisions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 25, 2008

Fischman receives Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research Award

Dr. Fischman has made significant contributions to the evaluation of drugs used to prevent and treat dental caries and periodontal diseases through his design and analysis of clinical trials and publication of guidelines for colleagues. His research studies have evaluated over 100 chemical agents, providing benchmarks for clinical trials.

International Association for Dental Research presents awards and fellowships

The International Association for Dental Research presented several prestigious awards and fellowships to recognize significant contributions to dental research, including the IADR Honorary Membership, IADR Distinguished Service Award, and IADR/AADR William J. Gies Awards. The awards are designed to stimulate research in oral health pr...

The fight for the best quantum bit (qubit)

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by studying the interaction between two electrons in a carbon nanotube, paving the way for a quantum mechanical bit. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of a revolutionary quantum computer capable of solving complex calculations much faster than current computers.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 25, 2008

Hurried doctor visits may leave patients feeling forgetful

A University of Rochester Medical Center study found that doctors rarely use effective methods to help patients remember medical instructions, such as summarizing treatment recommendations or asking patients to repeat back what they've been told. The results suggest a need for new approaches to improve patient recall in busy practices.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 25, 2008

Sound medicine

Scientists are exploring the use of sound waves to assess atherosclerotic plaques, monitor chronic liver disease, and deliver drugs to specific locations in the body. Researchers have also developed new techniques for treating cancer, including minimally invasive thermal ablation methods and microbubbles-based therapies.