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Science News Archive 2010 - Page 58


Page 58 of 283

Globalized economy more sensitive to recessions

Rice University scientists used evolutionary theory to show that globalization makes the global economy more sensitive to recessionary shocks and recovers more slowly from them. The researchers found a trend of increasing modularity in the trade network since 1969, but also a brief increase in modularity after each recession.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 18, 2010

100-million-year-old mistake provides snapshot of evolution

Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered a 100-million-year-old gene mutation that led to differences in how plants produce male and female parts. The study found that the mutation, which occurred around 20 million years ago, creates a new role for one of the duplicate genes, enabling it to make both male and female parts.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2010

Watching violent TV or video games desensitizes teenagers and may promote more aggressive behavior

Research published in the Oxford Journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that exposure to violent media can lead to decreased brain activation in regions involved in emotions and emotional responses. This desensitization can result in increased acceptance of violence and a reduced likelihood of forming consequences wi...

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateOct 18, 2010

Body's bacteria affect atherosclerosis

Researchers found that bacteria from the mouth and gut can enter the body and contribute to inflammation and plaque rupture in atherosclerosis. The study identified specific bacteria, such as Pseudomonas luteola and Chlamydia pneumoniae, which were present in both atherosclerotic plaques and the mouths and guts of patients.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2010

New evidence of the power of open access

New evidence supports the power of open access in increasing citation impact for higher-quality research. The study found that mandatory and self-selected open access articles have similar citation impacts, contradicting the self-selection bias hypothesis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 18, 2010

Japanese researchers report on liver transplantation studies using animal and iPS cells

Two Japanese research teams have reported breakthrough studies in liver cell transplantation, with one team finding that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and another team successfully transplanting porcine hepatocytes into mice with acute liver failure, highlighting progress in overcomin...

No standard for the placebo?

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine questions the foundation of placebo-controlled trials, citing a lack of standardization and regulation for placebo ingredients. The researchers found that only 10% of cases disclose the makeup of placebos, leading to potential biases in study results.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 18, 2010

Surgical complications drop at hospitals that share patient safety data

A collaborative approach to sharing patient safety data among Michigan hospitals has led to a nearly 10% reduction in surgical complications. The study, which examined general and vascular surgeries between 2005 and 2007, also found improvements in reducing blood infections, septic shock, prolonged ventilator use, and cardiac arrest.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateOct 18, 2010

Is team science productive?

Researchers at Penn Medicine measured the collaborative nature of translational medicine using network analysis, finding that ITMAT members' collaborative papers doubled since 2006. They also discovered that researchers were more likely to collaborate within their own departments and institutions rather than across them.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 18, 2010