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Science News for May 21, 2009


Groundbreaking 'reorganizational healing' model puts emphasis on self-awareness and personal will

Reorganizational Healing (ROH) is a new concept for wellness, healing, and personal growth that focuses on self-assessment and harnessing the body's innate ability to reorganize. By understanding the relationship between lifestyle choices and disease symptoms, individuals can achieve healthier, more fulfilling lives.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 21, 2009

Scientists discover genetic defects linked with rare bearded lady

Scientists have identified genetic mutations on chromosome 17q24.2-q24.3 as responsible for Congenital Generalized Hypertrichosis Terminalis (CGHT), a rare condition characterized by excessive hair growth and facial distortion. The discovery provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying this condition.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMay 21, 2009

Personal discrimination on the Web

Researchers developed a system to extract subjective expressions from web pages, scoring them for subjectivity and indicating whether they express personal opinions or marketing speak. The method outperformed general search engines in detecting personal opinion pages across four categories.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Intelligence and Data Mining·DateMay 21, 2009

Sleeping through dialysis: No nightmare for kidney patients

A new study shows that overnight dialysis is a viable alternative for patients with irreversible kidney disease, offering improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare burden. The long-term results of this therapy were found to be well-tolerated by most patients, with lower rates of anemia and reduced levels of urea in their blood.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 21, 2009

More than a bad night's sleep

A recent study published in Diabetes Care found that nearly 87 percent of obese individuals with type 2 diabetes were undiagnosed with sleep apnea, despite reporting symptoms. This association is alarming as untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

SourceTemple University·JournalDiabetes Care·DateMay 21, 2009

BPA, chemical used to make plastics, found to leach from polycarbonate drinking bottles into humans

A new Harvard study found that drinking from polycarbonate bottles increased urinary BPA levels by 69%, suggesting that these containers release the chemical into liquid consumed in sufficient amounts. The study suggests that heating liquids in polycarbonate bottles may further increase BPA leaching.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMay 21, 2009

First of its kind study identifies risk factors for LRTIs in Inuit children

Researchers found that Inuit infants are four times more likely to be admitted for LRTI than mixed or non-Inuit infants, with risk factors including smoking during pregnancy, overcrowded living conditions, and not being breastfed. Immunizing rural Inuit infants with the Palivisumab vaccine could save up to $8,000 per admission avoided.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateMay 21, 2009

Jungle yeast

Scientists have identified a new species of yeast, Candida carvajalis sp. nov, with potential applications in sustainable biofuel production and the food industry. The discovery was made in the Amazon jungle and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalFEMS Yeast Research·DateMay 21, 2009

Breast cancer etiology may vary by subtype

Research suggests different invasive breast cancer subtypes have distinct etiologic pathways and prognoses. Patients with specific subtypes exhibit varying demographics, lifestyle traits, and risk factors, highlighting the need for refined tumor subtyping to elucidate development patterns.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateMay 21, 2009

Women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a substantial and persistently elevated risk of type 2 diabetes post birth

A recent study found that women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are seven-and-a-half times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes post-birth. This increased risk remains for several years, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and intervention. Early identification and treatment of related factors, such as lip...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 21, 2009

Thieving whale caught on video gives rare clues about hunting strategy, sound production

Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography describe a direct comparison between sperm whale clicking sounds and its physical features, including size and internal organ structure. The study provides a glimpse into a possible new approach for investigating the biology behind marine mammal sounds.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateMay 21, 2009

Viral epidemics poised to go mobile

Researchers analyzed calling and mobility data from over six million mobile phone users to understand the threat of mobile phone viruses. A highly fragmented market share has hindered outbreaks so far, but predicting that viruses will become a significant threat once a single operating system's market share grows sufficiently large.

New stem cell research unlocks unknown therapies

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are making rapid progress in stem cell therapy, with a first-in-human study initiated for Parkinson's disease. The study uses the drug product sNN0031, which has shown long-lasting recovery and new cell formation in animal models. Additionally, a treatment for ALS entered clinical trials last year.