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Science News Archive January 2009 - Page 6


Page 6 of 19

Helium rains inside jovian planets

Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of Illinois have determined the temperature at which helium becomes insoluble in dense metallic hydrogen. This finding has significant implications for models of the interior structure and evolution of Jovian planets, including Saturn and Jupiter.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

UT Southwestern researchers identify compound that frees trapped cholesterol

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a compound that liberates cholesterol trapped in cells, shedding light on its transport and suggesting a possible therapeutic target for NP-C disease. The findings show improved liver function and decreased neurodegeneration in mice treated with the compound.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

Hypertension and cholesterol medications present in water released into the St. Lawrence River

Researchers from Université de Montréal have detected chemotherapy products and hypertension/cholesterol medications in wastewater released into the St. Lawrence River. The study highlights a growing concern about pharmaceutical waste's impact on the environment, with minimal quantities of these substances present in treated water.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Environmental Monitoring·DateJan 26, 2009

Major immune system branch has hidden ability to learn

Researchers have discovered that the innate immune system's natural killer cells can learn from experience and fight more effectively when called into battle a second time. This new ability, known as 'memory-like,' was found in natural killer cells that could respond more easily and vigorously to reactivation.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

Was it the chicken salad or the swim?

A new study reveals that non-food factors such as swimming and private well water exposure pose significant risks for sporadic bacterial enteric infections, comparable to food-borne risk factors. The findings highlight the importance of controlling these environmental exposures to prevent outbreaks.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 26, 2009

Comet impact theory disproved

New research published today disproves the recent comet impact theory that triggered continent-wide wildfires in North America 12,900 years ago. The study found no evidence for large-scale fires across the continent but supports a link between global warming and increased wildfires globally.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

Blocking toxic effects could make clot-buster safer

Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have found a way to block the toxic effects of tPA, a life-saving clot-busting drug used in acute stroke treatment. By blocking LRP1, a molecule that transmits inflammation signals triggered by tPA, the researchers were able to soften the drug's impact on the brain.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJan 23, 2009

Feeling your words: Hearing with your face

Researchers find that stretching facial skin during speech affects perceived sound, linking production and perception. The study contributes to understanding the relationship between speech perception and production.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2009

ARDS mortality is unchanged since 1994

Mortality rates for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have remained relatively stable since 1994, with a benchmark mortality of 40-45% according to a comprehensive review of major studies. The findings highlight the need for effective therapeutic interventions for this highly lethal syndrome.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 23, 2009

Tension in the nanoworld

A team of researchers at CIC nanoGUNE and Max Planck Institutes developed a non-invasive method to map strain fields in semiconductors using scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (s-SNOM). The technique resolves nanoscale material properties with 20 nm spatial resolution.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 23, 2009

Nurses with a second degree could impact workforce

A New York University study suggests that registered nurses with a second degree are an efficient solution to the current nursing shortage. Second degree nurses tend to be older and more motivated, having coping advantages over newer graduates, which can lead to better job satisfaction and retention rates.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Professional Nursing·DateJan 23, 2009

Crib-side studies help struggling newborns go home without feeding tubes

A new strategy developed at Nationwide Children's Hospital is helping premature infants and newborns with severe swallowing difficulties learn to feed on their own. The approach involves individualized, crib-side studies that use advanced sensors to capture the rhythm of muscular contractions throughout the aero-digestive tract.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·DateJan 23, 2009

A crystal clear view of chalk formation

Researchers found that stable nanoclusters of calcium carbonate form in water with a small quantity of dissolved calcium carbonate, not as previously thought. This discovery may help explain the structure of biominerals and provide insights into coping with lime scale in washing machines.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 23, 2009

Gene's past could improve the future of rice

A Purdue University researcher used a process focusing on one gene to trace the evolutionary history of domesticated rice, discovering genetic variation over millions of years. By comparing domesticated plants to wild rice species, scientists can identify valuable genes for desirable traits like branching and increased plant size.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2009

Telemedicine can dramatically improve child sexual assault examinations in rural areas

A study published in Pediatrics found that telemedicine can significantly improve the quality of child sexual assault examinations in rural communities. The use of videoconferencing allows experts to guide local doctors, comfort children, and enhance the collection of forensic evidence. As a result, many physicians changed their examin...

Process can cut the cost of making cellulosic biofuels

A patented Michigan State University process pretreats corn-crop waste to enhance its usefulness and reduce costs. The AFEX (ammonia fiber expansion) method breaks down cellulose and hemicellulose in plants more efficiently, allowing for the creation of biofuels from cellulose without added nutrients.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 22, 2009