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Science News Archive March 2009 - Page 20


Page 20 of 26

Lobster traps going high tech

Lobster traps equipped with temperature sensors provide valuable data on ocean circulation and processes in the Gulf of Maine. The eMOLT program, a collaboration between NOAA, lobstermen, and marine science students, aims to improve our understanding of ocean currents, pollution dispersal, and marine life distribution.

SourceNOAA National Marine Fisheries Service·JournalJournal of Operational Oceanography·DateMar 9, 2009

Worries about the future cited as a top reason for patients requesting physician-assisted suicide

A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that patients requesting physician-assisted death cite concerns about future suffering as a leading motivator. The study surveyed 56 patients and ranked factors influencing their requests, highlighting the importance of symptom control and patient sense of control.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 9, 2009

A new view of oceanic phytoplankton

Phytoplankton in tropical and subtropical seas use non-phosphorus containing 'substitute lipids' that utilize sulfur instead of phosphorus, allowing them to continue growing under phosphorus stress conditions. This unique strategy has implications for the future structure and biodiversity of Hawaiian marine ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature·DateMar 9, 2009

Aphids borrowed bacterial genes to play host

Research published in BMC Biology reveals that aphids acquired symbiotic genes from another species of bacteria via lateral gene transfer. The association between aphids and Buchnera is over 100 million years old and has evolved so that neither the bacteria nor the host can reproduce without the other.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateMar 9, 2009

Study: Many terminally ill patients feel abandoned by their doctors

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that many terminally ill patients feel abandoned by their doctors due to a lack of continuity and closure. The study identified two themes: before death, concerns about loss of communication, and at the time of death or after, feelings of abandonment from a lack of closur...

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 9, 2009

Getting into hot water

A solar water-heating system has a payback period of just two years and effectively pays for itself five times over within its twenty-year lifespan. Researchers found that solar heating is 57% of the internal rate of return compared to electrical energy approaches.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Energy Issues·DateMar 9, 2009

New insights on heart's 'fight or flight' response to stress

Researchers at University of Iowa discovered that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) activation can increase heart rates, contrary to traditional beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation understanding. This finding suggests inhibiting CaM kinase II function could help control heart rate problems in people with a...

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2009

What drove the cow mad? Lessons from a tiny fish

Researchers from the University of Konstanz found that normal protein PrP helps cells communicate during embryonic development. Without it, physiological abnormalities occur, and cell-to-cell contact is disrupted. This discovery may aid in understanding prion diseases and developing effective treatments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 9, 2009

Depression leads to higher health care costs for women cardiovascular patients, national study shows

A national study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that women with suspected coronary artery disease who suffer from depression have significantly higher health care costs. Depression was associated with a 15-53% increase in cardiovascular costs over five years, translating to $1,550-$3,300 higher annual costs.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 9, 2009

How increased UV exposure impacts plants

A recent experiment studying the effects of ultraviolet radiation on liverwort asexual propagules found that students successfully formulated and tested hypotheses about UV impact. The study aims to understand how bryophytes develop protection mechanisms against UVR, which can inform crop resilience.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education·DateMar 9, 2009

Patients being discharged against medical advice

Research shows that patients discharged against medical advice are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality, with some groups facing four-times-higher risks of readmission within 30 days. Identifying these high-risk patients is crucial, and providing informed consent can help manage the issue.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMar 9, 2009

JCI online early table of contents: March 9, 2009

Two studies found that SOX9 renders melanomas sensitive to retinoic acid, stopping tumor growth and offering new hope for effective treatment. Additionally, researchers identified two enzymes crucial for ureter-bladder connection during development, which may hold key to treating congenital anomalies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 9, 2009

Which research will help to reduce deaths from childhood diarrhea?

Childhood diarrhoea claims almost 2 million lives annually; researchers prioritize improving acceptability and effectiveness of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and designing locally adapted training programs for health workers. The top research priorities aim to optimize use of available interventions and programs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 9, 2009

Novel electric signals in plants

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered a new electrical signal transmission system in plants called 'system potential', which is induced by wounding and can carry different information. This novel system allows plants to rapidly respond to insect herbivory and activate their defense mechanisms.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateMar 9, 2009

Ka-Boom!!!

The US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate conducted an experiment where a retired public bus was rigged with explosives and cameras were detonated to assess their durability. Fourteen out of 16 memory chips survived the blast, demonstrating potential for these cameras in mass transit security.

Addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy continues to increase survival in patients with brain tumors for up to 5 years

The EORTC-NCIC trial found that adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy significantly increases survival in glioblastoma patients, with improved outcomes seen across all clinical prognostic subgroups. The study suggests testing tumour MGMT gene methylation status to identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMar 8, 2009

Pitt researchers describe molecular '2-step' leading to protein clumps of Huntington's disease

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a molecular '2-step' process that may lead to protein clumping in Huntington's disease. The study found that a slight lengthening of the polyglutamine sequence disrupts neighboring regions, initiating aggregation behavior. This discovery could provide new targets...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 8, 2009