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Science News for December 30, 2009


Addictive effects of caffeine on kids being studied by UB neurobiologist

A recent study by UB neurobiologist Jennifer L. Temple found that boys and girls have different levels of caffeine's appealing value, with males working harder to obtain caffeinated drinks. The research also explored the effects of acute and chronic caffeine consumption on blood pressure, heart rate, and hand tremor in teenagers.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalBehavioural Pharmacology·DateDec 30, 2009

AGU journal highlights -- Dec. 31, 2009

Climate researchers have found that the Indian Ocean Dipole is occurring more frequently due to global warming, leading to extreme weather patterns. Meanwhile, a study in North America reveals that natural cooling factors contributed to an unusually cold year in 2008, contradicting claims of a prolonged cooling trend.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 30, 2009

Short-term school closures may worsen flu pandemics, Pitt study finds

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that short-term school closures can increase infection rates and prolong an epidemic. The research found that sustaining closures for at least eight weeks is crucial in decreasing the spread of infection.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateDec 30, 2009

Body's own veins provide superior material for aortic grafts

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center pioneered a technique to replace infected aortic grafts with the body's own veins, proving more durable and less prone to new infection than synthetic or cadaver grafts. The procedure has superior durability and lower long-term amputation rates compared to other operations.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·DateDec 30, 2009
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Assessing lead time of selected ovarian cancer biomarkers

Researchers found that biomarker levels began to rise 3 years before clinical diagnosis, but became substantially elevated only a year prior. While not accurate enough for early intervention, these markers are associated with modest increases in ovarian cancer risk.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 30, 2009

Cross-border conservation efforts can yield better results at less cost

Researchers found that coordinated conservation efforts across national borders can achieve higher results and save up to 45% of costs compared to uncoordinated plans. The study estimates a potential savings of $67 billion for the Mediterranean region's biodiversity conservation efforts.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2009

Fewer left-sided colorectal tumors observed after colonoscopies

A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that colonoscopies significantly reduced the prevalence of left-sided advanced colorectal neoplasms by 85% in a community setting. The study, which analyzed data from 3,287 participants, also showed no significant reduction in right-sided advanced neoplasms.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 30, 2009

Children more likely to catch swine flu, says new research

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that young people under 18 are more susceptible to catching swine flu from an infected person in their household. However, the risk of transmission does not vary by age, with household contacts over 50 being the least likely to get infected.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 30, 2009

Severity of H1N1 influenza linked to presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

A study found a strong correlation between the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae and increased risk for severe H1N1 pandemic influenza virus infections. The bacteria were present in most severe cases, with a 125-fold increased risk of severe disease among individuals aged 6-55.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 30, 2009
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

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Engineered tobacco plants have more potential as a biofuel

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have successfully engineered tobacco plants to produce more oil in their leaves, which can be used as a sustainable biofuel. The modified plants yielded up to 20-fold more oil than normal tobacco plant leaves, paving the way for a new energy source.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·DateDec 30, 2009

ESA space telescope with CU-Boulder connection looks back to early galaxies

The Herschel Space Observatory has revealed thousands of newly discovered galaxies in their early stages of formation, providing a detailed view of the universe up to 12 billion years ago. The images are helping astronomers detect distant galaxies that would have been impossible to discover with current ground-based telescopes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateDec 30, 2009