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Science News for September 15, 2009


Gut ecology in transplant patients

Researchers found that gut bacteria of transplant patients with an ileostomy opening were dominated by facultative anaerobes, while those without an ileostomy had strictly anaerobic populations. The study suggests the gut can have two stable bacterial ecosystems, one tolerant to oxygen and another not.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2009

Mount Sinai researchers find phone assessment effective for evaluating cognition in the elderly

A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that cognitive testing by telephone is as effective as in-person testing in evaluating cognition in elderly individuals. The study used well-established neuropsychological tests and involved 54 healthy women with an average age of 79.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateSep 15, 2009

New X-ray technique illuminates reactivity of environmental contaminants

Researchers have developed a new analytical method to quantify environmental contaminant reactions in real-time, enabling predictions of risks and transport. This breakthrough advances understanding of geochemical processes and has significant applications in environmental science, particularly for contaminants like arsenic.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2009

Comprehensive cardiac CT scan may give clearer picture of significant heart disease

A new computed-tomography-based protocol can identify coronary artery narrowing and myocardial ischemia simultaneously, improving diagnostic accuracy for clinically significant coronary artery disease. The study's results compare favorably to SPECT stress imaging and cardiac catheterization, with lower radiation doses.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 15, 2009

Treatment for severe respiratory failure from conditions like swine flu is better when ECMO is part of the treatment than with conventional ventilation

A study found that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) significantly improves survival rates and reduces disability in adults with severe acute respiratory failure. The treatment, which uses heart-lung bypass technology, was shown to be cost-effective compared to conventional ventilation.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 15, 2009

Treating bone loss in breast cancer survivors

A Loyola University Health System study found that breast cancer patients can prevent bone loss by correcting secondary causes, such as vitamin D deficiency, and using bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs. After one year, patients with secondary causes showed stable bone mineral density.

Friction force differences could offer a new means for sorting and assembling nanotubes

Researchers have discovered different friction forces when carbon nanotubes slide along their axis versus perpendicular to it, which could provide a new tool for assembling nanotubes into devices. The findings also offer insight into fundamental friction issues and potentially be used to sort nanotubes according to their chirality.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 15, 2009

Egg-shaped legacy of Britain's mobile ice-sheet

A new model of Britain's Ice Sheet reveals it reversed its flow back up valleys, creating unique 'drumlins' along the A66 road through Eden Valley and Lake District lowlands. The ice sheet flowed downhill initially but complex flow directions switched significantly over short timescales.

SourceDurham University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateSep 15, 2009

Dartmouth researchers get personal with genetics

Two studies by Dartmouth researchers analyzed how personal genetic testing companies use genome data to judge customer health, finding the knowledge base is still in its infancy. The authors also used genetic data to reveal ancestry information, discovering six subgroups of people with distinct genetic backgrounds.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateSep 15, 2009