Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2009 - Page 2


Page 2 of 26

Control, treatment of bed bugs challenging

A recent review of published articles suggests bed bug bites are unlikely to transmit disease, but may cause skin reactions. Effective treatments for symptomatic bed bug bites have not been established, and eradication is complicated by insecticide resistance.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 31, 2009

Magnetic nano-'shepherds' organize cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed an approach using magnetism to manipulate human cells, forming chains that can promote the growth of blood vessels. The iron-containing nanoparticles used by the researchers are suspended within a liquid known as a ferrofluid, allowing them to readily manipulate the chain formation.

SourceDuke University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 31, 2009

Coronary angiography may improve outcomes for cardiac arrest patients

A study published in Journal of Intensive Care Medicine found that patients who received coronary angiography after cardiac arrest were twice as likely to survive without significant brain damage. Coronary angiography, an imaging procedure that shows blood flow through the heart, was independently associated with good neurologic outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Intensive Care Medicine·DateMar 31, 2009

Aussie meat ants may be invasive cane toad's Achilles' heel

Researchers found that meat ants are more effective at killing and eating cane toads than native frogs, providing a potential solution to controlling the spread of this alien species in tropical Australia. Cane toads' poor escape abilities make them vulnerable to meat ants' attacks.

SourceWiley·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateMar 30, 2009

Genetic basis for migration

Scientists have identified a set of genes involved in orienting Eastern North American monarch butterflies' internal 'sun compass' and driving their 4000km migration to Mexico. The research reveals seasonal changes in genomic function help define the migratory state, independent of juvenile hormone activity.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateMar 30, 2009

New images of marine microbe illuminate carbon and nitrogen fixation

A new study published in PNAS reveals that Trichodesmium separates its carbon and nitrogen fixation processes by time, with the process switching between the two every day. The stunning images obtained using advanced imaging technology show where the fixed nitrogen is stored within a cell and how it changes over time.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2009

Study examines effect of heart surgery on employment

A new study compares careers and long-term occupational success of individuals with congenital heart disease to the general population. Men are less likely to be employed full-time than part-time, while female patients show fewer differences in employment patterns.

SourceWiley·JournalCongenital Heart Disease·DateMar 30, 2009

Colon cancer and the microbes in your gut

A healthy diet is linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer due to the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. The composition of diet directly influences the diversity of microbes in the gut, with complex carbohydrates supporting good bacterial populations.

Chemists: Light-activated 'lock' can control blood clotting, drug delivery

Researchers design a lock-like molecule that controls blood clotting based on exposure to light. The biological hardware could be used to prevent the formation of tiny blood vessels that feed tumors, and also release drugs only on diseased cells or organs. This technology has potential applications in cancer treatment and drug delivery.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2009

New breakthrough in global warming plant production

Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified a single gene responsible for controlling plant growth responses to high temperatures, which could significantly impact crop production as global warming increases. The study found that mutant plants deficient in the regulatory protein PIF4 display reduced growth and biomass.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 30, 2009

The secret to chimp strength

According to evolutionary biologist Alan Walker, human fine motor control limits strength compared to chimps. Humans use fewer muscle fibers for tasks, while chimps use more due to less motor neuron control. This allows humans to conserve energy and perform delicate tasks, but may also limit their physical endurance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateMar 30, 2009

Low-income families with sick children often enrolled in high-deductible health care plans

A study from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that low-income families with children who have chronic conditions are more likely to be enrolled in high-deductible health plans. The study analyzed data from 839 families who were switched from traditional plans to high-deductible plans, revealing a higher perce...

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 30, 2009

Yale researchers discover mechanism for

Two-year-olds with autism lack selective attention to human movements, instead focusing on physically synchronous sounds and motion. Researchers tracked eye movements of children with and without autism while watching cartoon animations, revealing a key difference in how they process social cues.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2009

AERA journal presents research on use of observational methods to improve instruction

Researchers examine the effectiveness of individualized instruction and observational tools to improve reading skills in fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms. Classroom observations and teacher logs are found to be reliable and valid methods for measuring instruction, with potential benefits for future research studies.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateMar 30, 2009

To swim or to crawl: For the worm it's a no brainer

Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered that C. elegans worms can exhibit both swimming and crawling behaviors, challenging the long-held assumption that these are distinct gaits. The study's findings suggest that a single underlying nervous system mechanism controls a range of locomotion behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalHFSP Journal·DateMar 30, 2009