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Science News Archive March 2009 - Page 14


Page 14 of 26

Vitamin D may not be the answer to feeling SAD

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found no clear association between depressive symptoms and vitamin D levels in blood. The researchers tested over 3,000 participants and recruited community residents aged 50-70 from China, discovering low levels of vitamin D may not be connected to depression.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateMar 17, 2009

New strategy to weaken traumatic memories

Researchers develop a novel approach to treating PTSD by selectively disrupting traumatic memories with a cortisol-blocking drug. The treatment's effectiveness is linked to the intensity of the initial trauma and can be administered shortly before recalling the memory.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 17, 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