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Science News for March 16, 2009


Depression twice as likely in seizure sufferers

A study published in Epilepsia finds that individuals with epilepsy are at a higher risk of depression, with racial minorities having seven times the odds of depression compared to Caucasians. The study suggests routine screening and targeted interventions for depression are needed to help serve those with epilepsy.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateMar 16, 2009

Young dinosaurs roamed together, died together

A 90-million-year-old dinosaur herd composed entirely of juveniles of the Sinornithomimus species was discovered in the Gobi Desert. The site provides a rare snapshot of social behavior, suggesting that immature individuals were left to fend for themselves when adults were preoccupied with nesting or brooding.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalActa Palaeontologica Polonica·DateMar 16, 2009

IADR and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare announce winners of 2009 Innovation in Oral Care Awards

Three researchers have been awarded $75,000 grants to develop novel treatments for periodontal diseases, including a peptide-based hydrogel for dentin-pulp complex regeneration and an optical coherence tomography device for non-invasive diagnosis. The awards aim to improve oral health worldwide through innovative technologies.

Stun guns may cause seizures

A new case report suggests stun guns can cause seizures, particularly when shots are fired at the head. The study analyzed an incident where a police officer was mistakenly hit by a taser and experienced severe symptoms, including mild traumatic brain injury.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 16, 2009

Penn Medicine pathologists pioneer biomarker test to diagnose or rule out Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Penn Medicine have developed a biomarker test that can confirm or rule out Alzheimer's disease by measuring cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of amyloid beta42 peptide and tau protein. The test accurately predicted the conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease in 81.8% of cases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMar 16, 2009

Canberra parents lack allergy awareness: Study

A new study found that nearly four percent of ACT kindergarten children have a peanut allergy, while some parents take inappropriate action when dealing with their child's allergy. Parents should administer oral antihistamines and seek medical attention in case of severe allergic reactions.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health·DateMar 16, 2009

Obese women play cancer roulette

Research finds that obese women, especially white ones, are less likely to have undergone a recent mammography compared to normal weight women. The study highlights poor self-esteem, body image issues, and racial disparities in obesity-related body image as reasons for the disparity.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 16, 2009

Guitarists' brains swing together

Research using EEG shows that guitarists' brains become more synchronized when playing together, with the frontal and central regions showing strong synchronization patterns. This finding has implications for how our brains interact during coordinated actions, such as music performance.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateMar 16, 2009

Spreading high-speed Internet to rural areas

A new device using a Raman amplifier has successfully transmitted data over 37 miles of single-mode fiber, error-free, at a speed of 2.5 Gb/s. This technology could provide high-speed Internet to 99% of Australians living in Victoria, closing the digital divide.

SourceOptica·DateMar 16, 2009

Catching the common cold virus genome

A new study by Brigham Young University researchers reveals how and where the rhinovirus genome evolves to evade the human immune system and drugs. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective vaccines against this common cold virus.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMar 16, 2009

Defibrillators may have little benefit for older people with comorbidities

A study published in CMAJ found that implanted defibrillators offer limited survival benefits for older patients with comorbidities. However, younger patients and those without kidney disease may see a benefit from implantable defibrillators to prevent sudden death. The study analyzed over 14,000 patients with heart failure.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 16, 2009

Odds are, seedings don't matter after Sweet 16, University of Illinois professor says

According to Sheldon H. Jacobson, a University of Illinois professor, a team's seeding is statistically insignificant in predicting their chances of winning in the later rounds of the tournament. Ignoring a team's seeding can lead to more accurate predictions, especially after the Sweet Sixteen round.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Journal of Gambling Business and Economics·DateMar 16, 2009

Mini dinosaurs prowled North America

Researchers have discovered a new species of carnivorous dinosaur, Hesperonychus elizabethae, in North America. The miniature predator, weighing around two kilograms and standing 50 centimeters tall, was likely to hunt insects and small mammals.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 16, 2009

Dendritic cells ensure immune tolerance

Research suggests that dendritic cells are essential for generating and maintaining immunological tolerance. Without these cells, the immune system fails to distinguish between self and foreign substances, leading to autoimmune responses. This study highlights the critical role of dendritic cells in protecting against autoimmune diseases.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 16, 2009

Where does consciousness come from?

A new paper suggests that four specific processes occur only in conscious perception tasks, offering a unique insight into the neural correlates of consciousness. By studying brain activity of patients with epilepsy, researchers isolated four converging electrophysiological markers characterizing conscious access after word perception.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 16, 2009

First treatment for muscular dystrophy in sight: Scientists successfully harness exon-skipping

Researchers at Children's National Medical Center and colleagues in Tokyo have achieved the first successful application of exon-skipping to curb Duchenne muscular dystrophy in dogs. The treatment uses synthetic DNA-like molecules called morpholinos to skip over mutated gene parts, showing promise for humans with this genetic disorder.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMar 16, 2009

Paper electrified by copper particles

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have successfully produced nano-sized metallic copper particles that can form electricity-conducting layers and patterns on paper. The particles, protected by polymeric compounds, exhibit good electrical conductivity and make them promising materials for electronics printed on paper.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 16, 2009

Hospital infection control strategies for antibiotic-resistant organisms

Effective measures to prevent and control hospital infections from antibiotic-resistant organisms include proper hand hygiene, a clean environment, and early patient identification. Hospital-acquired infections are more common in patients with certain risk factors such as older age, severe disease, or prolonged antibiotic use.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 16, 2009

Acitretin therapy may help reduce nail psoriasis

Low-dose acitretin therapy shows promise in reducing nail psoriasis symptoms, with 25-33% of patients experiencing complete or near-complete clearing. The treatment also demonstrates safety and effectiveness in improving quality of life for patients suffering from severe nail psoriasis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateMar 16, 2009

UV lights decrease infectious TB in hospital room air

Researchers used guinea pigs to test air disinfection methods, finding that UV lights and negative ionizers reduced TB transmission. The study showed a significant decrease in TB infection rates when UV lights and fans were used to ventilate patient room air.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 16, 2009

Researchers develop DNA 'patch' for canine form of muscular dystrophy

Scientists have developed a successful treatment for dogs with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using 'exon skipping' technology, which covers up genetic errors. The treatment involves injecting tailor-made DNA patches into the bloodstream, improving muscle functioning and reducing deterioration in skeletal muscles.