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Science News Archive 2010 - Page 21


Page 21 of 283

Long term exposure to pesticides may be linked to dementia

A study of 614 vineyard workers in South West France found a link between long-term pesticide exposure and declining cognitive abilities, including lower scores on memory and recall tests. The researchers suggest that higher risks of dementia may be associated with pesticide exposure.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateDec 1, 2010

Discovery triples number of stars in universe

Astronomers at Yale University have discovered that small red dwarfs are much more prolific than previously believed, increasing the total number of stars in the universe. The discovery found 20 times more red dwarfs in elliptical galaxies than in the Milky Way, with potential implications for galaxy formation and evolution.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateDec 1, 2010

Poor stream health imperils fish

The southeastern United States is home to a diverse array of fish species, but poor stream health poses a significant threat to their survival. The region's growing population and increasing demands on water resources have led to widespread degradation of aquatic habitats.

New psychology theory at Rensselaer enables computers to mimic human creativity

A new explanation of how humans solve problems creatively has been introduced, providing a roadmap for building systems that perform like humans. The theory proposes the coexistence of two types of knowledge and processing: explicit and implicit. By incorporating this principle, computers can now mimic human creativity in problem-solving.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalPsychological Review·DateDec 1, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 1, 2010

Researchers identified a crucial protein, LXR-beta, involved in the negative side effects of glucocorticoid drugs. Targeting this protein may lead to safer drug designs. Additionally, TXNL2 is found to protect human breast cancer cells from oxidative stress, while mutations in SLC1A1 cause rare kidney disorder dicarboxylic aminoaciduria.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 1, 2010

Finger length points to prostate cancer risk

Men with longer index fingers are at a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, while those with shorter index fingers are more likely to be diagnosed. The study found that men aged under 60 were 87% less likely to have prostate cancer if their index finger was longer than their ring finger.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateDec 1, 2010

Diabetes may clamp down on cholesterol the brain needs

Joslin researchers found that brain cholesterol synthesis decreases in mouse models of diabetes, affecting nerve function and potentially leading to increased appetite and weight gain. The study suggests a link between diabetes and altered brain function, including changes in Alzheimer's disease risk and diabetic neuropathy.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 30, 2010

Source of protection against saturated fat found

A study published in Cell Metabolism found that a protein called Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) protects against the severe inflammatory response caused by high levels of saturated fat. Mice deficient in this protein showed massive lymph node expansion and died after consuming a diet high in saturated fats.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 30, 2010

Study assesses nuclear power assumptions

A study reviews nuclear power economics and concludes that the current fuel cycle is unsustainable due to uncertainty about waste management. Reprocessing and recycling of spent fuel is an alternative, but its implementation is controversial due to proliferation risks and high costs.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateNov 30, 2010

Venus holds warning for Earth

Scientists discovered a mysterious high-altitude sulphur dioxide layer on Venus that can help explain its formation. The new findings also suggest that injecting large quantities of sulphur dioxide into Earth's atmosphere to mitigate climate change may not be as effective as thought.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 30, 2010

Risk of death increases in IBD patients with hospital-acquired infections

A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that IBD patients with hospital-acquired infections experience increased mortality and prolonged hospital stays. The majority of infections among hospitalized IBD patients are health-care associated, with severe liver disease patients being at highest risk.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateNov 30, 2010

Columbia engineering team discovers graphene's weakness

A Columbia University engineering team has discovered how pure graphene breaks under tensile stress, revealing a novel soft-mode phonon instability that leads to mechanical failure. This finding is significant for understanding the behavior of low-dimensional systems like graphene and could lead to new ways to engineer its properties.

SourceColumbia University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 30, 2010

Study finds low vitamin-d levels in northern California residents with metabolic syndrome

Researchers at UC Davis Health System found significantly reduced vitamin D levels in patients with metabolic syndrome living in Northern California. The study suggests that supplementation with vitamin D may reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, contradicting previous assumptions about adequate sun exposure in sunny latitudes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalHormone and Metabolic Research·DateNov 30, 2010

Alternative therapies may leave asthmatics gasping

A recent study from Université de Montréal found that using alternative therapies for asthma can result in a two-fold higher rate of poor asthma control in children. The study assessed over 2000 families with children and found that use of alternative therapy was associated with reduced effectiveness of conventional asthma treatment.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalCanadian Respiratory Journal·DateNov 30, 2010

Measuring the temperature of nanoparticles

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a technique to probe the temperature rise in the vicinity of RF-actuated nanoparticles. The study found that the measured temperature rise was consistent regardless of whether the sensors were mixed with or covalently bonded to the nanoparticles.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateNov 30, 2010