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Science News for August 2, 2010


Oxygen fuels the fires of time

Scientists from The Field Museum and Royal Holloway University of London have discovered that high atmospheric oxygen concentrations in the past led to the evolution of new plant groups, such as conifers and flowering plants. This, in turn, may have promoted large and frequent wildfires, with implications for Earth's climate history.

SourceField Museum·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 2, 2010

Students get a feel for soil-water relationships

A simple and inexpensive demonstration of soil water retention and field capacity helps students visualize and understand these concepts. The demonstration uses PVC rings, a trashcan, and a scale, illustrating the influence of soil texture, structure, and depth to the water table on soil water content.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education·DateAug 2, 2010

Pilot safety protocol could help dentists reduce errors

A pilot-dentist duo proposes adapting airline crew resource management principles to dental offices, aiming to reduce human errors and improve patient safety. By implementing standardized safety procedures and empowering team members with CRM checklists, dentists can significantly reduce complications and deaths in surgical settings.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateAug 2, 2010

Women attracted to men in red, research shows

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that wearing red or being bordered by the color increases a man's attractiveness and sexual desirability among women. The researchers attribute this effect to the cultural association between red and high status, as well as biological roots in human behavior.

Boosting the efficacy of anticancer vaccines

Researchers developed an alphavirus vector to overcome neutralizing antibodies and Tregs, inducing clinically relevant immune responses in patients with metastatic cancer. Repeated administration led to longer overall patient survival, making the approach a promising therapeutic option.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 2, 2010

Purdue-IU team uncovers potential prostate cancer marker

A Purdue University-led team has found a molecular compound that appears to be useful in identifying cancerous and precancerous tissue in the prostate. The compound, cholesterol sulfate, is absent in healthy prostate tissue but present in prostate cancer tumors, making it a potential marker for the disease.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateAug 2, 2010

Pathological internet use among teens may lead to depression

A study of 1,041 Chinese teens found that pathological internet use was associated with a higher risk of developing depression. The research suggests that early intervention and prevention strategies targeting at-risk groups could reduce the burden of depression on young people.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2010

Is biochar the answer for ag?

A long-term study found that biochar can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 73% and ammonium leaching by up to 94%, with reductions occurring over time due to 'ageing' of the biochars in soil. The research highlights the potential of biochar as a tool to mitigate climate change.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateAug 2, 2010

Our brain can be taught to control cravings, Yale researcher finds

A new study by Yale University researcher Hedy Kober shows that smokers can control their cravings with the help of cognitive strategies, increasing activity in the prefrontal cortex and decreasing craving-related brain activity. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be an effective tool in treating substance use disorders.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2010

Exercise and caloric restriction rejuvenate synapses in lab mice

Harvard researchers have found that exercise and caloric restriction can reverse the deterioration of nerve connections in older mice, a potential explanation for their age-related benefits. The study reveals that these lifestyle factors can attenuate or even reverse the decline in synapses, which are crucial for brain function.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2010

Researchers develop advanced search tool to help physician's sort and retrieve vital EMR data

Researchers have developed an advanced search tool called QPID to assist radiologists in extracting useful data from patients' electronic medical records. The system has already been implemented at Massachusetts General Hospital and is expected to have a significant impact on various departments within the hospital and outpatient clinics.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateAug 2, 2010

Why are male spiders small while females are giant?

Researchers found that small male spiders can carry out the 'bridging' maneuver, a common mode of locomotion for vegetation-inhabiting spiders. This efficiency allows them to have more mating opportunities and compete better for receptive females, leading to selective pressure for smaller size.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateAug 2, 2010

New study examines effects of drought in the Amazon

A new study examining the effects of drought in the Amazon found that relatively undisturbed forests are tolerant of seasonal drought. The research used remote sensing and field-based studies to demonstrate this resilience and identified potential mechanisms controlling vegetation productivity across the Amazon Basin.

SourceWoodwell Climate Research Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2010

Zinc finger nuclease, immunoprecipitation methods featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols

A protocol for detecting targeted chromosomal deletions induced by zinc finger nucleases allows researchers to estimate the frequency of ZFN-induced genomic deletions using PCR-based methods. Immunoprecipitation is also optimized with detailed instructions for lysis conditions, protease inhibitor cocktails, and general preparation.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCold Spring Harbor Protocols·DateAug 2, 2010

University of Colorado School of Medicine study: Mental health outcomes in children in foster care improved with mentoring, skills development

A University of Colorado School of Medicine study found that incorporating mentoring and group skill-building intervention programs for children in foster care may help improve mental health outcomes. The study demonstrated that treatment groups reported fewer symptoms of depression, dissociation, and posttraumatic stress, and better q...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2010

New carbon dioxide emissions model

The new model incorporates data on the carbon cycle, including ocean and forest absorption and release of CO2, to simulate future changes in global climate and carbon dioxide emissions. By reducing emissions by 56% by 2050, global warming would remain under the two-degree threshold until 2100.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 2, 2010

Keeping patients 'in good hands'

A literature review confirms that hand therapy addresses key factors in hand injury recovery, including swelling control, wound management, range of motion, strengthening of the hand, and work conditioning. Finding a qualified therapist is essential for optimal outcomes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateAug 2, 2010

Mallory and Irvine: Did extreme weather cause their disappearance?

A team of scientists believes extreme weather may have caused the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine during their historic 1924 Everest expedition. Researchers analyzed newly uncovered historical data, including barometric pressure measurements, to conclude that a very intense storm likely contributed to their death.

SourceWiley·JournalWeather·DateAug 2, 2010

Hungry children and youth have more health problems

A recent study found that hungry children are more likely to experience poor health, with repeated episodes of hunger being particularly toxic. The association holds even after adjusting for other factors such as low income and lack of home ownership, highlighting the need for policy interventions to address food insecurity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2010

New catalyst of platinum nanoparticles could lead to conk-out free, stable fuel cells

Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a new catalyst that could make fuel cells more stable and conk-out free, using platinum nanoparticles on titanium oxide with added tungsten. The material is more stable and less expensive than pure platinum, allowing it to work with hydrogen fuels containing up to 2% carbon monoxide.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 2, 2010

1 high-fat diet, 2 different outcomes: The path to obesity becomes clearer

A study by Yale researchers found that a high-fat diet influences the brain's development, making some individuals more prone to obesity and others resistant. The study suggests that genetic and environmental factors, particularly maternal impact on the developing brain, play a critical role in determining vulnerability to obesity.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2010

A cellular housekeeper, and potential target of obesity drugs, caught in action

Scientists have obtained the closest look yet at how a gargantuan molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The research provides valuable clues on how the enzyme, tripeptidyl peptidase II, keeps cells tidy and disease-free.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateAug 2, 2010