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Science News Archive June 2009 - Page 22


Page 22 of 26

Immigrants overcome great odds to raise children in foreign lands, say researchers

Studies examine the impact of family financial stresses, parenting styles, and family obligations on the academic achievement and mental health of Asian-American adolescents. Research highlights the importance of close family ties and authoritative parenting practices in facilitating successful transitions to adopted countries.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateJun 4, 2009

REDD payments could protect orangutans, pygmy elephants in Borneo

A new report finds that paying to conserve billions of tons of carbon stored in tropical forests could also protect endangered large mammals like orangutans and pygmy elephants. The study, published in Conservation Letters, demonstrates a link between forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

SourceBurness·JournalConservation Letters·DateJun 4, 2009

Bats recognize the individual voices of other bats

Researchers found that bats can distinguish between each other's vocalizations, which may aid in social behavior and recognition. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of bat behavior and social interactions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 4, 2009

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia physician-scientists present at 2009 American Transplant Congress

Physician-scientists presented new research on minimizing steroid exposure for liver transplant patients with hepatitis C, hypothermic machine perfusion vs. cold storage for preserving donor livers, and the effectiveness of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in predicting colorectal liver metastases. The studies aimed to improve patient outco...

Importance of preventing congestion in heart failure

Researchers found that preventing vascular congestion can help alleviate symptoms of heart failure. The study suggests that targeting venous endothelial responses may be an effective way to prevent congestion and improve outcomes for patients with heart failure.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·DateJun 4, 2009

A new lead for autoimmune disease

Researchers discover halofuginone, a compound from traditional Chinese medicine, inhibits Th17 cells and reduces disease pathology in mouse model of autoimmunity. Halofuginone may offer a new treatment option for autoimmune disorders with potential for oral administration.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience·DateJun 4, 2009

Bacteria from the deep can clean up heavy metals

A species of bacteria, Brachybacterium sp Mn32, has been found to effectively remove manganese and absorb zinc and nickel from solutions. The bacterium's manganese oxides have a greater surface area, enabling more metal ions to be absorbed, making it a promising candidate for bioremediation and cleaning up heavy metal pollution.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJun 4, 2009

Bee-killing parasite genome sequenced

Agricultural Research Service scientists have sequenced the genome of a parasite that can kill honey bees, providing new insights into colony collapse disorder. The microsporidian parasite produces spores that bees consume when foraging, leading to infection and colony loss.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 4, 2009

Boy or girl? In lizards, egg size matters

Research shows that in one lizard species, bigger eggs tend to produce females and smaller eggs tend to produce males. This discovery contradicts the long-held assumption that genetic factors control sex determination in reptiles.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 4, 2009

'Pelvis has left the building'

A study on stickleback fish found that two related species evolved to lose their pelvises using different genes, contradicting earlier research. This discovery sheds new light on the mechanisms of evolutionary diversity and limb loss in nature.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 4, 2009

Investigation finds that cigarette smoking does not affect everyone in same way

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that cigarette smoking does not affect everyone in the same way, with some people experiencing severe breathing difficulties while others evade the disease. The research proposes an autoimmune mechanism compounded by genetic predisposition as a possible explanation for t...

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2009

1 in 4 nursing home residents carry MRSA

A recent study by Queen's University Belfast and Antrim Area Hospital found that one in four nursing home residents are carrying the bacteria MRSA. The study highlights the need for improved infection control strategies in nursing homes to combat this major problem.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 4, 2009

Engineered pig stem cells bridge the mouse-human gap

Researchers have successfully created a line of induced pluripotent stem cells from adult pigs, providing a valuable model for studying therapeutic potential and addressing ethical concerns. The pig iPS cells closely resemble human stem cells, making them an exciting emerging field with rapid progression and multiple applications.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 4, 2009

Brain irradiation in lung cancer

A national RTOG study found that prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) significantly decreased the incidence of brain metastases during the first year post-treatment. Patients who received PCI were two and one-half times less likely to develop brain metastasis than those who did not.