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Science News Archive June 2009 - Page 7


Page 7 of 26

New approach to treating heart attacks reduces risk of life-threatening complications

A new study suggests that transferring heart attack patients to specialized hospitals for angioplasty within six hours after clot-busting drugs significantly improves outcomes, reducing repeat heart attacks and serious cardiac complications by 36%. Patients who received earlier angioplasty also had lower rates of chest pain and second ...

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 24, 2009

Stream of sand behaves like water

University of Chicago researchers have discovered that dry granular materials can form water-like droplets when poured, revolutionizing the way we understand particle transport and manipulation. The study's findings could lead to more efficient oil refining, plastics manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production processes.

First acoustic metamaterial 'superlens' created by University of Illinois researchers

Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully focused ultrasound waves through a flat metamaterial lens to create an acoustic 'superlens'. This innovation could improve high-resolution ultrasound imaging, non-destructive structural testing of buildings and bridges, and novel underwater stealth technology.

Children's Hospital Oakland scientists first to discover new source for harvesting stem cells

A groundbreaking study reveals a new avenue for harvesting stem cells from healthy newborn placentas, which contain more stem cells than umbilical cord blood and can be safely extracted for transplantation. The discovery holds promise for curing chronic blood-related disorders such as sickle cell disease and leukemia.

SourceChildren's Hospital & Research Center Oakland·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateJun 23, 2009

Afghani children suffering from post-traumatic stress

A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that at least half of Afghan school children have developed PTSD due to traumatic experiences. The research highlights the need for interventions addressing not only war experiences but also family disturbances and community factors.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateJun 23, 2009

Marking anorexia with a brain protein

A recent study published by Faculty of 1000 Medicine discovered that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are higher in women who have recovered from anorexia. This suggests that low BDNF levels may be reversible and could potentially serve as a biomarker for recovery from eating disorders.

SourceFaculty of 1000·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateJun 23, 2009

How adolescent girls manage stress

Teenage girls experience increased stress levels, with seven out of ten suffering from stress. To withstand this, girls rely on various sources of strength including emotional support, controlling their daily lives, and engaging in recreational activities.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateJun 23, 2009

Southwest Nano Consortium established

The Southwest Nano Consortium brings together six states and northern Mexico to pool resources, encourage collaboration, and host internationally recognized events. The consortium aims to expedite the commercialization of nanotechnology technologies with significant impact on renewable energy, biotech, IT, and other sectors.

New research discovers link between smoking and brain damage

Researchers found a direct link between smoking and brain damage due to NNK, a tobacco compound that provokes white blood cells to attack healthy brain cells. This can lead to neuroinflammation, conditions like Multiple Sclerosis. NNK is present in all forms of tobacco, also affecting second-hand smokers.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Neurochemistry·DateJun 23, 2009

Notre Dame study provides insights into how climate change might impact species' geographic ranges

Researchers found that populations at the northern edge of a species' range experienced problems when exposed to warmer conditions, contradicting the assumption that they would increase. The study used two butterfly species and found that interactions among species could change under climate change.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 2009

A urine test for appendicitis?

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a protein detectable in urine as a potential biomarker for appendicitis. The leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG) marker showed near-perfect sensitivity and specificity, and was strongly elevated in diseased appendices.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJun 23, 2009

Need something? Talk to my right ear!

Researchers found that people prefer to be addressed in their right ear and are more likely to perform a task when receiving a request there. In noisy night club environments, the side bias was consistently displayed, with 72% of interactions occurring on the right side.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateJun 23, 2009

How to text message and avoid pain

A study by Ewa Gustafsson found that young adults with neck, arm, or hand symptoms tend to use their mobile phones differently than healthy controls. They often text message while hunched over and use the single thumb technique, which can lead to increased stress on hands and reduced breaks.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Electromyography and Kinesiology·DateJun 23, 2009

Weight-loss surgery could lower cancer risk in obese women

A recent study suggests that weight-loss surgery could be associated with reduced cancer risk in obese women, with a 42% decrease in first-time cancers over 10 years. However, the surgery had no effect on cancer incidence in men. The findings indicate that bariatric surgery may have broader benefits for women's cancer prevention.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 23, 2009