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Science News Archive September 2009 - Page 21


Page 21 of 24

Organic or local?

A study found that consumers' willingness to pay for organic and local produce is similar, but purchasing frequency differs. Consumers prioritize freshness, safety, and health when buying locally grown produce, while emphasizing health and safety attributes for organic produce.

Fad diets in Sweden, of all places

A controversy surrounds Sweden's promotion of low-carb high-fat (LCHF) diets, sparking concern over national public health and individual well-being. Despite scientific evidence, a group of experts was removed from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare due to perceived conflicts of interest.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 3, 2009

2 new antibodies found to cripple HIV

Two new broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have been discovered to target the HIV virus, providing a promising lead for AIDS vaccine development. The newly found antibodies, PG9 and PG16, attach to a novel site on the virus, making them more accessible for vaccine design.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience·DateSep 3, 2009

Scientists from Bonn cool gas by laser bombardment

Researchers at the University of Bonn have demonstrated a method for cooling gas using laser bombardment, which works under pressure. The technique allows for rapid refrigeration capacities, enabling the creation of new states of matter and potentially leading to the development of mini fridges.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2009

YouTube videos yield clues to brain injury symptom

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have identified a visible response to head trauma called the 'fencing response,' which can indicate damage to brainstem regions. This finding has immediate value for coaches and trainers, as it provides an objective cue to assess whether an athlete should return to play after a blow to the head.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateSep 2, 2009

A breath of fresh air could improve drug toxicity screening

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has developed a new way to culture liver cells for drug toxicity screening, using a high-oxygen environment and serum-free medium. This method significantly improves the function of cultured liver cells, enabling them to predict the clearance rates of drugs with high accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2009

Keeping the suicidal soldier alive

Researchers have developed a predictive tool to detect at-risk soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study shows that fMRI can be used to forecast which soldiers might be vulnerable to stress psychopathology in the future.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2009

Study casts new light on research of controversial scientist Paul Kammerer

A new study re-examines Kammerer's experiments and finds remarkable resemblances to newly discovered aspects of epigenetics. Kammerer's data shows consistency with current epigenetic mechanisms, providing new biological arguments in favor of the authenticity of his midwife toad experiments.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution·DateSep 2, 2009