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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 261


Page 261 of 277

Newborn brain cells 'time-stamp' memories

A computational model suggests that newborn brain cells add a unique time-related code to memories formed around the same time. This allows for recall of events from a certain period and connects independent events that occurred during the same hyperactive period, explaining why memories can be triggered by specific details.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJan 28, 2009

Oetzi's last days

Researchers have reconstructed the chronology of Oetzi's injuries, finding evidence of a short-lived arrow wound and a blow to the back before his death. The study suggests that Oetzi endured at least two injuring events, which could indicate two separate attacks.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalIntensive Care Medicine·DateJan 28, 2009

Study shows younger women with endometrial cancer can safely keep ovaries, avoid early menopause

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that leaving the ovaries intact during surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer has no survival benefit compared to removing them. This approach could spare women from surgery-induced early menopause, hot flashes, and increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 28, 2009

Physically fit kids do better in school

Researchers found a significant relationship between students' academic achievement and physical fitness in an urban public school district. Students who excelled in fitness tests also performed well on standardized math and English tests.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of School Health·DateJan 28, 2009

It's the network: Penn researchers examine behavior influenced by network structure

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that network structure influences behavior, with some networks generating global adoption of minority viewpoints and others prioritizing individual self-interest. Stubborn individuals can even improve collective performance, while greater awareness of neighboring preferences leads to ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2009

Government services for young people at risk of drugs misuse may be doing more harm than good

Current government programmes targeting young people at risk of drug misuse may be too individual-focused and neglect the importance of peer pressure. Detached, street-based youth work has been shown to be more effective in reaching those most at-risk, as it works with young people in their existing friendship groups.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalPublic Policy Research·DateJan 28, 2009

Blood and urine protein predicts CKD progression

A study found that measuring NGAL in blood and urine can predict which patients with non-advanced chronic kidney disease will progress to a more serious form of the disease. High NGAL levels are associated with worsening kidney function, and both urinary and blood NGAL measurements predicted CKD progression.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 28, 2009

Did I see what I think I saw?

A recent study found that when people are told false information about an event shortly after witnessing it, they become less likely to remember the actual details. However, forcing them to recall what they witnessed shortly afterwards improves their ability to learn and retain false information.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 28, 2009

Deceiving cell walls

Researchers have developed a new approach for treating pneumococci by emulating the choline architecture of their cell walls. This method traps critical pneumococcal proteins, preventing bacterial growth and toxin release. The resulting CBP inhibitor has a suitable dosage range for pharmaceuticals.

SourceWiley·DateJan 28, 2009

UC Davis research shows that newly discovered drug reduces heart enlargement

Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a new class of drugs that can reduce heart swelling and reverse heart failure. The study, led by cardiologist Nipavan Chiamvimonvat and entomologist Bruce Hammock, found that the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase plays a key role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2009

Biofuels ignite food crisis debate

A study published in Human Ecology highlights the problems linked to converting crops into biofuels, including inefficiency, economic costs, and environmental degradation. The research reveals a negative energy return for many biofuel sources, making them less productive than projected.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateJan 28, 2009

What happens when we sleep

A new study from McGill University finds that MCH neurons are activated during sleep and could be important in regulating the sleep state. The study provides deeper understanding of the sleep-wake cycle and vital insight into the basis of sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2009

Adolescents with unpopular names more prone to committing crime

A new study published in Social Science Quarterly found that adolescents with unpopular names are more likely to commit crime. Researchers analyzed state data and constructed a popularity-name index, which showed the least popular names were associated with juvenile delinquency among both black and white youths.

SourceWiley·JournalSocial Science Quarterly·DateJan 28, 2009

'Fossil earthquakes' abundant

Researchers have discovered an abundance of pseudotachylytes, rocks formed under extreme heat and friction during earthquakes, in the Sierra Nevada. This finding reveals the importance of heat generated by the earthquake process and challenges previous assumptions about their rarity.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateJan 28, 2009

You can't always get what you want: Young infants understand goals, even if unsuccessful

Researchers found that young infants (8-12 months) can tell the difference between an action's goal and its outcome. However, younger infants need explicit information about successful outcomes to infer goals. This study suggests that understanding internal causes of actions develops over time, enabling effective social navigation.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 28, 2009