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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 266


Page 266 of 277

I quit, we quit -- what works better for smokers?

A study from the University of Bath found that smokers who used a support group were more than twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those using a pharmacy-based service. The researchers also discovered that both types of services are cost-effective, with the pharmacy-based service being less costly to deliver.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalAddiction·DateJan 22, 2009

Tiny lasers get a notch up

Researchers discovered that adding a small notch to the disk edge provides a single outlet for laser light to stream out, increasing the speed of computers and telecommunication networks. The optimal geometry and boundary pumping parameters can aid in designing better-collimated microlasers.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 22, 2009

Growing years cut short for toddlers from poor families

A University of Montreal study found that children from poor families are more likely to be shorter than their peers, regardless of genetic factors. The researchers concluded that economic policies should support parents with young children to ensure they have sufficient resources to cover basic needs and promote normal development.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 21, 2009

Political variables do not improve the performance of trading rules

A new study in The Financial Review finds that political variables do not improve the performance of trading rules, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed monthly U.S. data from 1953 to 2003 and used widely used statistical model-selection criteria, finding limited economic benefits from using political variables.

SourceWiley·JournalFinancial Review·DateJan 21, 2009

Researchers cooking up new gelled rocket fuels

A team of engineers and food scientists is working on a five-year project to create gelled rocket fuels that can improve the safety, performance, and range of rockets. The gels are designed to have a consistency similar to orange marmalade and can be throttled up and down for more precise control.

Semiconducting nanotubes produced in quantity at Duke

A Duke University-led team of chemists has successfully grown exclusively semiconducting carbon nanotubes, paving the way for manufacturing reliable electronic nanocircuits. The achievement paves the way for high-current field-effect transistors and sensors, offering reduced heat output and higher frequency operation.

SourceDuke University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 21, 2009

Off the shelf maps help mitigate volcanic hazards

A team of volcanologists developed a new program to quickly and accurately predict areas at high risk for lethal hazards from volcanic eruptions. The program uses existing GIS data to create maps that outline potential surge damage, enabling decision-makers to evacuate or put people on high alert.

SourcePenn State·JournalBulletin of Volcanology·DateJan 21, 2009

Cosmic rays detected deep underground reveal secrets of the upper atmosphere

Scientists have discovered a strong correlation between cosmic-ray data and stratospheric temperature, allowing for the detection of major weather events such as Sudden Stratospheric Warming. This study has the potential to improve weather forecasting and climate modeling by providing a new tool for monitoring atmospheric conditions.

SourceThe National Centre for Atmospheric Science·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 21, 2009

The global impact of climate change on biodiversity

New research found that tropical insects have shifted their habitats by an average of 67 meters over the past 42 years due to climate change, posing a major threat to global biodiversity. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for the impacts of climate change on these crucial species.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2009

Topical treatment wipes out herpes with RNAi

A topical treatment using RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to effectively prevent herpes virus transmission in mice, disabling key genes necessary for the virus's replication and host cell infection. The treatment can be applied up to a week before or after exposure, making it a promising approach for preventing sexually transmit...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJan 21, 2009

When less attention improves behavior

A study published in Cortex found that reducing attentional resources enhances memory accuracy in confabulating patients. By dividing their attention between tasks, these patients showed significantly reduced false-memory levels.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateJan 21, 2009

The drug treatment of heart failure is influenced by the gender of the patient and of the physician

A recent study found that female patients are less frequently treated with evidence-based treatments for heart failure, including ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. However, the gender of the physician plays a significant role in adherence to treatment recommendations, with male physicians prescribing more complete treatment for female ...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure·DateJan 21, 2009

BUSM researcher solves mystery of 9-month-old

A 9-month-old breast-fed infant was diagnosed with rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency after presenting with seizures and a bulging soft spot. The case study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the importance of considering nutritional deficiencies in infants, particularly those who are solely breast-fed.

SourceBoston University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 21, 2009

Trust me, I'm a journalist

A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that individuals with high trust in mass media tend to be healthier. Young, married, and highly-educated women reported the highest levels of health, while those in Turkmenistan had the lowest opinion of their own wellbeing.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJan 21, 2009

Experimental topical microbicide offers convenient, long-lasting protection against genital herpes

A study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a topical microbicide using RNA interference to protect against genital herpes infection for up to a week. The microbicide combines two siRNAs to offer both immediate and sustained protection, providing hope for a cost-effective therapy in developing countries.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJan 21, 2009

Researchers genetically link Lou Gehrig's disease in humans to dog disease

A recent study has genetically linked Lou Gehrig's disease in humans to a similar disease in dogs called degenerative myelopathy. The researchers discovered that dogs with this disease have the same genetic mutation as humans with ALS, paving the way for using them as animal models to help identify therapeutic interventions.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2009