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Science News for September 17, 2009


Weight loss is good for the kidneys

A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that weight loss through diet and exercise can reduce proteinuria and slow down kidney function decline in obese patients with kidney disease. Surgical interventions also show promise in normalizing kidney filtration rates.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 17, 2009

Chemobrain -- the flip side of surviving cancer

A study published in Journal of Cancer Survivorship reveals that chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, known as chemobrain, significantly diminishes women's quality of life. Women experience memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and reduced independence, affecting their work and social lives.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateSep 17, 2009

Face off

Researchers found that male juvenile delinquents often misinterpret facial expressions of disgust as anger, leading to a more intense emotional response and aggressive behavior. This bias towards misrecognizing others' emotions could result in delinquents perceiving situations as hostile.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health·DateSep 17, 2009

The wonders of wine

A German company developed a method to turn red wine by-products into a powder preserving natural nutrients like protein, B vitamins and polyphenols. The powder has been successfully tested in various products, including yoghurt drinks, ice-cream and skin creams.

SourceEUREKA·DateSep 17, 2009

More to solar cycle than sunspots; sun also bombards Earth with high-speed streams of wind

Scientists have found that the number of sunspots provides an incomplete measure of changes in the Sun's impact on Earth over the course of the 11-year solar cycle. High-speed streams of wind from the Sun intensify the energy of Earth's outer radiation belt, posing hazards to satellites and space travelers.

Scientists pinpoint protein link to fat storage

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that invadolysin, a protein present in all cells, is linked to lipid droplets used for fat storage. Lower levels of invadolysin were found to be associated with reduced fat deposits, suggesting its potential role in obesity and related complications.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateSep 17, 2009

Study predicts effect of global warming on spring flowers

An international study predicts a 50-day shift in flowering times of certain plants in specific climates by 2080, driven by global warming. The research used climate records from the past century and plant responses to air temperatures, predicting changes in spring blooming dates across different regions.

SourceMonash University·JournalInternational Journal of Climatology·DateSep 17, 2009

'Apples-to-apples' analysis of Arab development yields fresh view

The study divides Arab countries into three categories and compares their population-weighted averages in health, educational attainment, and income with those of non-Arab nations. While Arab countries have made significant progress in areas such as life expectancy and education, they lag behind in democracy and women's labor-force par...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Economic Perspectives·DateSep 17, 2009

Penn State College of Medicine research isolates liver cancer stem cells prior to tumor formation

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a population of cancer stem cells in the liver prior to tumor formation. These malignant stem cells have been found to be resistant to chemotherapy and are thought to play a key role in driving liver cancer formation. The study suggests that targeting these cells could poten...