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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 4


Page 4 of 277

JCI online early table of contents: December 21, 2009

Researchers discover CD20's nonredundant role in generating optimal B cell immune responses. Gene therapy approach targets alpha-1 antitrypsin to alleviate emphysema symptoms. Inhibiting fatty acid oxidation sensitizes leukemic cells to death-inducing compounds.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2009

Mystery of golden ratio explained

Adrian Bejan's research reveals that the golden ratio is a fundamental principle in nature's design, guiding the flow of information from vision to cognition and locomotion. This concept, known as the constructal law, explains why the golden ratio appears in various natural systems, from animal vision to river deltas.

SourceDuke University·JournalInternational Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics·DateDec 21, 2009

What is the function of the protein CD20?

Researchers have found that CD20 protein is essential for generating optimal B cell immune responses, particularly to T-independent antigens. The discovery was made by analyzing a patient with a mutation in the CD20 gene, who had impaired B cell responses and recurrent infections.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2009

New study finds catch shares improve consistency, not health, of fisheries

A new study by the Pew Charitable Trusts finds that catch share programs increase predictability in fisheries but do not necessarily lead to better ecological conditions. The research analyzed 15 catch share programs in the US and Canada, concluding they work well to avoid erratic swings, but may not result in larger fish populations.

SourcePew Charitable Trusts, Ocean Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2009

Caltech physicists propose quantum entanglement for motion of microscopic objects

Researchers at Caltech propose a new approach to observe quantum behavior in small mechanical systems by levitating the object with intense laser beams. This allows for dramatic reduction of environmental noise, enabling observation of diverse manifestations of quantum behavior even at room temperature.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2009

Study casts doubt on provocative tuberculosis theory

Researchers at Loyola University Health System failed to find evidence of TB bacteria forming spores, contradicting a provocative theory. The new findings could help ensure that efforts to improve treatments for tuberculosis are focused on productive directions.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2009

Self-monitoring with blood glucose test strips inefficient use of health-care resources

Two studies find that routine self-monitoring of blood glucose levels by people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin is an ineffective use of health-care resources due to significant cost of test strips. Expenditures associated with blood glucose self-monitoring in Canada are projected to exceed $1 billion.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateDec 21, 2009

Wild chimps have near human understanding of fire, says study by Iowa State's Pruetz

Savanna chimpanzees in Senegal exhibit predictive behavior towards seasonal fires, avoiding the fire as it approaches. Researchers interpret this behavior as a cognitive stage similar to human understanding of fire control. The study provides insight into how early human ancestors may have developed fire control abilities.

SourceIowa State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateDec 21, 2009

Best go digital in a pandemic

A digital checklist system can reduce fatigue in emergency drug administration during pandemics, according to a study. The use of personal digital assistants also shows promise in improving efficiency and accuracy in medication distribution.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management·DateDec 21, 2009

How flu succeeds

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research identified 295 human cell factors that influenza A strains must harness to infect a cell. The team also found small molecule compounds that act on several of these factors and inhibit viral replication, pointing to new ways to treat flu.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature·DateDec 21, 2009

How nurses can better support families of dying children

A study by Brigham Young University professor Renea Beckstrand and graduate student Nicole Rawle identified the three biggest obstacles to supporting families of dying children: language barriers, parental reluctance to withdraw life-support technologies, and mixed signals from different specialties on the medical team. The researchers...

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalAmerican Journal of Critical Care·DateDec 21, 2009

Gene therapy makes mice breath easier

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have developed an approach to sustainably express normal human alpha-1 antitrypsin in the mouse lung, reducing emphysema symptoms. This breakthrough could provide a therapeutic approach for overcoming lung diseases caused by single-gene defects.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2009

Water cycle conference makes a big splash

Recent advances in Earth observation satellite technologies enable monitoring of the global water cycle. The European Space Agency's EO for Water Cycle Science Conference assessed current research capabilities and identified key gaps. Novel missions, precipitation, and soil moisture will improve our understanding of the water cycle.

Bioengineered materials promote the growth of functional vasculature, new study shows

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed bioengineered hydrogels that induce significant vasculature growth in damaged tissue. The hydrogels release VEGF, stimulating blood vessel formation, and degrade in a controlled fashion, allowing for functional vascularization and integration with host circulatory system.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2009

Largest study of PGD children shows embryo biopsy is safe for singleton pregnancies

A recent study has found that embryo biopsy does not increase the risk of major malformations or health problems in babies born from singleton pregnancies after preimplantation genetic diagnosis and screening. However, multiple pregnancies associated with PGD/PGS showed higher perinatal death rates compared to ICSI children.