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Science News Archive October 2009 - Page 25


Page 25 of 27

Addition of whole-brain radiation therapy to standard radiosurgery results in worse learning and memory function for patients with brain tumors

Patients with brain tumors treated with WBRT plus SRS experience significant decline in learning and memory function compared to those receiving SRS alone. The study concludes that SRS alone combined with close clinical monitoring is the preferred treatment strategy for patients newly diagnosed with one to three brain metastases.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateOct 4, 2009

Study: The new buzz on detecting tinnitus

A new study uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect the site of perception of tinnitus in the brain, allowing physicians to target specific areas with treatments. The imaging technique reveals activity in both hemispheres of the brain for patients with bilateral tinnitus, providing hope for future interventional strategies.

The state of America's leadership

A new comprehensive survey of White House Fellows, a group of over 600 prominent leaders, reveals significant differences between America's leadership cohort and the general public. The study found greater confidence in institutions like the Supreme Court and scientific community, but less confidence in education and organized labor.

Women's soccer -- get fit while having fun

A two-year study of 100 untrained adult women reveals that playing soccer improves maximal oxygen uptake, muscle mass, and physical performance compared to running. The study also shows that soccer's fixed time and place make it easier for women to stick to their training than running.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateOct 2, 2009

Case Western Reserve University discovers Merkel cell originates from skin, not the neural crest

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that Merkel cells, responsible for touch perception, originate from the skin, contradicting previous speculation. The study's results provide significant insights into the development and function of Merkel cells, which may hold implications for understanding Merkel cell carcinoma.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalDevelopmental Biology·DateOct 2, 2009

The amazing maze of maize evolution

Dr. Marina Dermastia and colleagues discovered similarities between maize and teosinte kernel development, overturning previous assumptions about domestication. The team found traits like programmed cell death, sugar flow control, and endoreduplication that are common to both crops, suggesting they evolved independently.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateOct 2, 2009

A thermometer for the Earth

The Optical Soil Dipstick (OSD) measures soil health through a small hole in the surface of the earth, providing information on pollution, water needs and crop condition. The device could help solve the mystery of global warming's effects on farming and water resources.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateOct 1, 2009

The eScience revolution

The eScience revolution aims to hasten scientific discovery by providing a toolkit for scientists and educators to access and interpret vast amounts of data. Semantic Web technology enables computers to provide meaning to words, linking users to related information and facilitating collaboration between experts and non-experts.

Combination of PET/CT tests can expedite diagnosis of lung cancer in a fast-track setting

A combination of PET/CT tests expedited diagnosis of lung cancer in a fast-tracked setting, demonstrating high sensitivity and accuracy. Researchers evaluated 114 patients and made accurate diagnoses for 92%, with malignancy detected in 84%. This approach allows for timely treatment initiation without delays.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 1, 2009

Smoking during pregnancy puts children at risk of psychotic symptoms

A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry has linked maternal tobacco use to an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in children. The research, conducted on 6,356 adolescents, found that smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of psychotic symptoms, particularly in those whose mothers smoked heavily.

SourceCardiff University·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 1, 2009

In amoeba world, cheating doesn't pay

In a study published in Nature, researchers found that cooperative amoebas can evolve genetic defenses against cheaters, preserving collective behavior. The Dictyostelium discoideum mutants discovered by the Rice-Baylor team demonstrated a remarkable ability to resist cheater cells and maintain altruistic traits.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2009