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Science News for December 18, 2009


Doctors' bedside skills trump medical technology

Researchers found that physicians' bedside exams did a better job than CT scans in predicting which patients would need to return to the operating room to treat complications such as bleeding. The low-cost, simple exam appears to be superior to routine CT scans in determining return to the operating room.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateDec 18, 2009

Research project yields better understanding of the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis

A team of researchers has made a breakthrough discovery about the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis, understanding its special relationship with pH levels inside cells. By regulating acid-base balance, the protein controls salt transport and cell survival, offering hope for developing new therapies to restore function.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 18, 2009

How the daisy got its spots ... and why

Researchers explore the development and morphology of insect-mimicking spots on the flower petals of a South African beetle daisy. The study found that these spots are composed of three types of epidermal cells, each spanning four fused petal lobes, and are influenced by UV reflectivity and anthocyanin pigment.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateDec 18, 2009

Tiny whispering gallery

Researchers at Washington University have developed a sensor that can detect and measure single nanoparticles using an ultra-high-Q microresonator. The sensor exploits the phenomenon of whispering-gallery mode resonance, where the light wave interacts with the particle on the ring's surface.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 18, 2009

Disordered eating may affect 10 to 15 percent of women

A study from Université de Montréal and Douglas Mental Health University Institute found that 10-15% of women experience maladaptive eating behaviors, which can lead to binge eating, bulimia, and excessive exercise. The study also revealed a link between problematic eating habits and self-rated health.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateDec 18, 2009

Disparity in use of implantable devices to prevent sudden death in heart failure patients

A study published in the December 2009 issue of HeartRhythm found that only half of eligible heart failure patients received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden cardiac death. The study also revealed wide variations in ICD use, with certain patient groups more likely to receive the devices.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Medical Center·JournalHeartRhythm Case Reports·DateDec 18, 2009