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Science News Archive April 2009 - Page 15


Page 15 of 24

Feather color is more than skin deep

Researchers found carotenoids produced in the liver of Common Crossbills, contradicting previous assumptions about skin synthesis. The discovery highlights inter-specific variation in mechanisms of color production, shedding light on evolutionary pathways involved in color signaling.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateApr 15, 2009

Tourette syndrome misconceptions only one battle for patients

Research published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics found that nearly 90% of Tourette syndrome cases exist in conjunction with another disorder, most frequently ADHD. Perinatal factors such as low birth weight, prematurity, and maternal smoking increase the risk of co-occurring ADHD in children with Tourette.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateApr 15, 2009

At risk for kidney disease? Check your genes

Researchers have identified multiple chromosomal regions associated with genes influencing variation in proteinuria, particularly in the setting of diabetes or hypertension. The study's findings suggest that genetic variation likely accounts for part of the increased risk of kidney disease in American Indians.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 15, 2009

Rice researchers unzip the future

Scientists at Rice University have found a way to produce ultrathin, electrically conductive nanoribbons using a room-temperature chemical process. These ribbons are made from graphene, the single-layer form of graphite, and exhibit remarkable strength and conductivity.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2009

New way to analyze sleep disorders

Researchers discovered a new way to monitor sleep and potentially diagnose sleep disorders by analyzing heart rate, revealing significant relationships between cardio-respiratory synchronization patterns and sleep stages. This technique may help clinicians diagnose sleep disorders more easily and determine optimal treatments.

UBC researchers put a new spin on electrons

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have successfully controlled the spin of electrons using a ballistic technique, eliminating the need for external electric or magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to more powerful and energy-efficient electronic systems, including quantum information processing devices.

Energy drinks work -- in mysterious ways!

Researchers found that sugary drinks and tasteless carbohydrates can significantly improve endurance event performance. Athletes given glucose or maltodextrin drinks outperformed those on 'disguised' water by 2-3%.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 14, 2009

Scaling the wall of deafness

A new study by Prof. Karen Avraham at Tel Aviv University has discovered that microRNAs are involved in the development of deafness, opening up new avenues for treatment and potential cure. The researchers found that microRNAs help regulate cell functions in the ear, and their loss can lead to progressive hearing loss.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2009

R U learning?

A pilot study is testing the effectiveness of text messaging as a medium for delivering HIV prevention education to at-risk teens. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, uses a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved curriculum and involves sending text, image, and video material to teen participants.

Statins reduce stroke risk by 1/5

The study found that statin use is associated with a significant reduction in stroke risk, with each 1 mmol/L decrease in LDL cholesterol resulting in a relative risk reduction of 21%. Statins also have additional benefits for cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateApr 14, 2009

Duke physicists see the cosmos in a coffee cup

Researchers found that the 'caustic curve' shape, seen in sunlight reflections on water or boat hulls, is connected to gravitational lensing effects in distant galaxies. The discovery could enable scientists to map dark matter clumps using caustic violations.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Mathematical Physics·DateApr 14, 2009

Study confirms 3 Neanderthal sub-groups

Researchers confirm the existence of three separate Neanderthal sub-groups in Western Europe, southern Europe, and the Levant, with a fourth group found in western Asia. The study suggests that climate conditions played a significant role in shaping the population's geographical distribution.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 14, 2009

Spit, anyone?

US Department of Homeland Security scientist Mark Nicas builds mathematical models of spittle dispersal to inform countermeasures against potential biological attacks and pandemics. His research aims to reduce the risk of infection transmission on airplanes and in other public spaces, advising people to sit at least three rows away fro...

OHSU School of Dentistry finds some orthodontic appliances are more prone to bacteria

A new study by OHSU School of Dentistry found that patients with self-ligating orthodontic brackets retained significantly fewer oral bacteria in plaque compared to those with elastomeric brackets. The researchers also developed a rapid and reliable method for quantifying oral bacteria using ATP-driven bioluminescence.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalAmerican Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics·DateApr 14, 2009

Fatty liver disease: The next big thing

Research connects poor fitness to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting a crucial link between obesity-related illnesses. Exercise may potentially treat or prevent NAFLD by protecting against metabolic diseases.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 14, 2009

Using PET/CT imaging, UCLA researchers can tell after a single treatment if chemotherapy is working

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a non-invasive method to determine whether chemotherapy is working after a single treatment cycle, allowing oncologists to discontinue ineffective treatments sooner. This breakthrough enables faster decision-making and potentially improves patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateApr 14, 2009

A cure for honey bee colony collapse?

Researchers discovered Nosema ceranae, a Microsporidia parasite, is the primary cause of honey bee colony depopulation syndrome in professional apiaries. Treating infected colonies with flumagillin resulted in complete recovery.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology Reports·DateApr 14, 2009

People's misperceptions cloud their understanding of rainy weather forecasts

A new study from the University of Washington found that people's understanding of rainy weather forecasts is hindered by misconceptions about probability and uncertainty. Researchers tested over 450 college students and found that many incorrectly assumed deterministic forecasts, leading to unnecessary precautions.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateApr 14, 2009

Cuts in greenhouse gas emissions would save Arctic ice, reduce sea level rise

A new analysis suggests that drastic emission cuts could stabilize climate change, saving Arctic ice and reducing sea level rise. Global temperatures would still rise, but the most dangerous impacts could be partially avoided with a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Researchers study signaling networks that set up genetic code

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified and visualized signaling pathways in protein-RNA complexes to understand how the genetic code is set in all organisms. The study uses molecular dynamics simulations and visualization software to analyze the optimal communication pathways, revealing modules and local communities ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2009

Biofuels could hasten climate change

A new study reveals that biofuels could hasten climate change due to the destruction of tropical rainforests. The study found that it will take over 75 years for carbon emissions saved through biofuel use to compensate for the carbon lost when these forests are converted into plantations.

SourceWiley·JournalConservation Biology·DateApr 14, 2009

Study reveals we seek new targets during visual search, not during other visual behaviors

A study by Michael D. Dodd and colleagues found that inhibition of return occurs during visual search tasks, but not during other visual behaviors. Volunteers were tracked while viewing scenes to identify eye movements, revealing a 'facilitation of return' effect where previously fixated locations are shifted faster than new ones.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 14, 2009

Eat, drink and be merry?

Research finds that fast food and soft drinks contribute to childhood obesity, but paradoxically also reduce unhappiness. The study highlights the need for policies and programs that balance children's physical health with their emotional well-being.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateApr 14, 2009

'Natural' nitrogen-fixing bacteria protect soybeans from aphids

Researchers found that soybean plants colonized with naturally occurring rhizobia had lower aphid densities than those with commercial or artificially fertilized plants. The plants produced the same level of nitrogen regardless of the type of rhizobia used, suggesting a potential tool for protecting plants from insect herbivory.

SourcePenn State·JournalPlant and Soil·DateApr 14, 2009