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Science News Archive March 2008 - Page 2


Page 2 of 19

Fat kids need less intensive exercise for effective weight loss

A recent study found that obese adolescents burn fat at lower intensities than their lean counterparts during exercise. The researchers identified the optimal intensity levels required to maximize fat oxidation in both groups, with the lean boys reaching a higher VO2 peak and burning more fat at higher intensities.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMar 31, 2008

Vaccine for Ebola virus

Researchers have successfully tested Ebola vaccines in primates, triggering a cell-mediated response and producing effective protection. The candidates are now set to be tested on humans for the first time, offering hope for controlling outbreaks and protecting healthcare workers.

Team explains 'the wallpaper problem'

A team of researchers from MIT and CNRS studied the phenomenon of triangular tears in adhesives like tape and plastic sheets. They found that these tears arise from interactions between three properties: elasticity, adhesive energy, and fracture energy. The study has potential industrial applications in microtechnologies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 30, 2008

Green tea helps beat superbugs

Egyptian scientists have discovered that green tea boosts the effectiveness of antibiotics against superbugs by up to 99.99%, increasing the killing power of chloramphenicol and making 20% of drug-resistant bacteria susceptible to cephalosporin antibiotics.

3-D imaging -- first insights into magnetic fields

Scientists at HMI and University of Applied Sciences in Berlin have successfully visualized three-dimensional images of magnetic fields inside solid, non-transparent materials. By detecting changes in neutron spin rotation, the researchers can reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the magnetic field distribution within the sample.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 30, 2008

Neurons hard wired to tell left from right

Researchers have identified neurons that form different spiral-shaped axons on the left and right sides of the brain, suggesting a possible explanation for brain asymmetry. The findings provide new insights into how the brain processes information and could lead to a better understanding of cognitive performance and social behavior.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalNeural Development·DateMar 30, 2008

Communicating your way to a healthy heart

A recent study from Temple University's School of Medicine found that regular communication with doctors can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. By using an internet-based health reporting system and regular clinic visits, participants were able to improve their blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and cardiovascular...

New York-Presbyterian/Columbia physician-scientists present at ACC's 57th Annual Scientific Session

Researchers from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center presented findings on the effectiveness of drug-eluting stents in preventing restenosis. The studies also explored the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin for patients undergoing primary angioplasty, particularly those with diabetes and advanced age.

Are teenage brains really different?

The adolescent brain experiences increased connectivity and integrative processing, with gray matter peaking in childhood and declining thereafter. These changes enable increased executive functioning, novelty seeking, and risk-taking behaviors during adolescence.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 28, 2008

Uncovering the mechanisms of lightning varieties

A team of researchers has developed a unified theory of lightning discharges, explaining how different types of lightning form. The study reveals that blue jets and bolts from the blue are triggered by specific charge imbalances in clouds, with the height of the cloud influencing their formation.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 28, 2008

How dangerous is boxing for the brain?

A study of 42 amateur boxers found microhemorrhages in three cases, a potential precursor to Parkinson's disease and dementia. However, the differences were not statistically significant, leaving conclusive statements unclear. Further research on professional boxers is planned to assess intensive exposure to blows.

SourceHeidelberg University Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology·DateMar 28, 2008

Firing photons makes advance in space communication

Researchers have successfully fired photons back and forth between a space satellite and a ground-based station, demonstrating the possibility of a secure quantum communication channel. The achievement marks an important step towards global communication via satellites using quantum mechanics.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 28, 2008

Early living together, marriage and parenting benefits some young adults

A Penn State study found that early living together, marriage, and parenting can have positive benefits for some young adults, particularly those from low-income families. The researchers compared depressive symptoms between those who made an early family transition and those who did not, and found few differences between the two groups.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateMar 28, 2008

Keeping sanitation in the international spotlight

A global sanitation fund has been launched, with 32 African countries pledging to spend at least 0.5% of their GDP on sanitation and hygiene. Improved water and sanitation have a tremendous positive impact on health, but sanitation has languished at the bottom of the international agenda for far too long.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 27, 2008

Are you what you eat? New study of body weight change says maybe not

A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that identical twins with the same lifestyle can have different body weights due to infinite number of possible body weight solutions. This challenges traditional understanding of body weight change, suggesting it may be influenced by multiple factors beyond diet and exercise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 27, 2008