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Science News for August 9, 2010


Researchers develop magnetic molecular machines to deliver drugs to unhealthy cells

Scientists create a new system that utilizes porous nanomaterials driven by a magnetic core to release drugs inside living cancer cells, improving targeted drug delivery and imaging in cancer treatment. The system has the potential to deliver anti-cancer drugs only to cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 9, 2010

Injection of bone cement (vertebroplasty) is safe, effective and at an acceptable cost for patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Vertebroplasty is effective in providing greater pain relief than conservative treatment, resulting in a significant reduction in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Patients experienced immediate and sustained pain relief lasting up to one year, making it a safe option for those with acute fractures.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 9, 2010

Stress gets under our skin

Researchers found that individuals with greater neural sensitivity to social rejection exhibit increased inflammatory activity, which can increase the risk of disorders such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression. Chronic inflammation can also lead to cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 9, 2010

BSSA tip sheet for August 2010

Researchers identified two apparent faults cutting young deposits near Olympia, Washington, suggesting recent fault activity and potential earthquake hazards. The study utilizes marine seismic reflection data to explore shallow structures associated with inferred faults in the Tacoma and Olympia areas.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateAug 9, 2010

ROCK(2) 'n' roll target for treating autoimmunity

Researchers have discovered that ROCK2 protein is involved in regulating the production of IL-17 and IL-21, which are linked to autoimmunity. Administration of a ROCK inhibitor has shown promise in reducing disease symptoms and ameliorating conditions in mice models.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 9, 2010

Physicians failing to follow recommended heart-failure treatment guidelines, Stanford study finds

A recent Stanford University School of Medicine study found that physicians are losing ground in prescribing recommended medications for treating congestive heart failure. The use of ACE-inhibitors and beta blockers has declined since the early 2000s, with only about one-third of patients receiving these life-saving treatments.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateAug 9, 2010

Latino children with asthma less accurate in determining their lung function

A new study reveals that Latino children with asthma often inaccurately perceive their lung function, resulting in increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The study's findings suggest that cultural differences, socioeconomic factors, and limited access to healthcare may contribute to these disparities.

SourceLifespan·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 9, 2010

An ancient Earth like ours

Researchers have reconstructed the Earth's climate belts between 460 and 445 million years ago, finding patterns that suggest ancient carbon dioxide levels were more modest than thought. The study reveals a 'modern-looking' pattern in ancient oceans, emphasizing the stability of the atmosphere and climate through deep time.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 9, 2010

1 in 4 stroke patients stop taking medication within 3 months

A study published in Archives of Neurology found that nearly 75% of stroke patients remained on their prescribed medications after hospital discharge. Factors associated with persistent medication use included cardiovascular disease, insurance coverage, and understanding the purpose of the medications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateAug 9, 2010

Biochemist proposes worldwide policy change to step up daily vitamin D intake

A leading international expert in vitamin D, Anthony Norman, recommends increasing daily intake to 2,000-4,000 IU for most adults to maximize health benefits. This could effectively eradicate rickets in infants and reduce the frequency of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune type-1 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateAug 9, 2010

Larger waist associated with greater risk of death

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that larger waist circumferences are associated with a greater risk of dying from any cause. The research, which included over 48,000 men and women, found that very large waists were linked to approximately twice the risk of death, even among those at normal weight.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateAug 9, 2010

Alcohol taxes can reduce death rates among chronic heavy drinkers

A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that increasing alcohol taxes can significantly reduce death rates from diseases caused by chronic heavy drinking. The study analyzed data from 1969 to 2004 and estimated that adjusting for inflation, would save around 1,500 Floridian lives per year.

SourceBurness·DateAug 9, 2010

Computerized warning system alerts doctors to medications that could harm elderly patients

Researchers developed a specialized CPOE system to alert doctors to potentially hazardous medications for older hospital inpatients. The system resulted in a significant decrease of 20% in orders for flagged medications, highlighting its potential to reduce adverse drug events and improve care for vulnerable elderly patients.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateAug 9, 2010

Popping cells surprise living circuits creators

Researchers found that bacteria cells start dividing normally but unexpectedly 'pop' when the colony reaches a certain density. This phenomenon is linked to the amplification of plasmids in response to cell density, highlighting the importance of considering hidden interactions in engineered gene circuits.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 9, 2010

Competing for a mate can shorten lifespan

A new study reveals that men who experience stiff competition for female attention live shorter lives, with mortality rates increasing by 1.6% among those with higher sex ratios. The researchers suspect that this phenomenon is caused by a combination of social and biological factors, including stress and embodiment of the social world.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalDemography·DateAug 9, 2010

Forest fires help power the nitrogen cycle

Recent research found that forest fires stimulate the conversion of ammonia to nitrates, a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle. This process is triggered by charcoal deposition and can continue well after the fire has passed, benefiting coniferous forests in the inland Northwestern US.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateAug 9, 2010

Single cell injections

Researchers at Duke University have developed a method for injecting substances into single cells using sharp fluid jets, which may revolutionize stem cell research and cellular-level studies. The technique allows for the introduction of live cells to nontoxic substances without significantly damaging them.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 9, 2010

A strategy to fix a broken heart

Engineers and physicians at the University of Washington have developed a scaffold that supports the growth and integration of stem cell-derived cardiac muscle cells. The scaffold accelerates oxygen and nutrient supply to transplanted tissue, promoting heart repair and vascular tissue engineering.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 9, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Aug. 9, 2010

Researchers at Columbia University have found that ROCK2 may be a good therapeutic target for treating autoimmune disorders, while targeting CD13+ CSCs in liver cancer could provide a new treatment approach. Additionally, scientists at Stanford University developed ways to enhance RNAi efficacy and persistence while decreasing toxicity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 9, 2010

On-the-job injuries hurt home health care industry

A Penn State study found that home health aides who received training had lower injury rates and higher job satisfaction. Training also reduced turnover intentions, benefiting both employees and organizations. Employees' perceptions of their training and workplace played a crucial role in their risk of injury.

People think immoral behavior is funny -- but only if it also seems benign

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people find humor in moral violations when they seem harmless or non-threatening. The researchers tested this theory by presenting volunteers with different scenarios and rewarding them with candy bars. They discovered that the situations involving a moral violation were more...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 9, 2010