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Science News Archive August 2010 - Page 19


Page 19 of 23

Redefining sexual discrimination

A study finds that gender harassment, even without unwanted sexual advances, leads to negative personal and professional outcomes for women. Women who experience gender harassment report lower satisfaction with their jobs, higher stress, and poorer overall well-being.

SourceSpringer·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·DateAug 5, 2010

Surgery better than radiation, hormone treatments for some prostate cancer, study shows

A new study led by researchers at UCSF found that surgery is more effective than radiation and hormone therapies for men with high-risk prostate cancer. The study analyzed data from 7,538 men with localized disease and found a significant difference in survival rates between surgical removal of the prostate and other treatment options.

Virginia Tech to build new supercomputer

HokieSpeed is expected to deliver 35 times better peak performance and 70 times better power efficiency than System X, Virginia Tech's previous supercomputer. The instrument will enable researchers to perform in-situ visualization for rapid data analysis, making complex problems tractable.

A built-in source for new heart cells

Researchers have devised a three-ingredient molecular cocktail that transforms fibroblasts into beating heart cells, potentially solving the issue of cardiac muscle regeneration in heart disease. The cocktail, tested on mice, shows promise in producing new cardiac muscle cells more efficiently than induced pluripotent stem cells.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateAug 5, 2010

Chew on this: 6 dental myths debunked

A review article debunks common dental myths, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet in preventing tooth decay, osteoporosis, and gum disease. Carole Palmer, a professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, outlines how nutrition affects oral health in children, teenagers, expectant mothers, adults, and elders.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalNutrition Today·DateAug 5, 2010

Simon Singh wins maiden Leelavati Award

Physicist-turned-author Simon Singh has won the Leelavati Award for his outstanding contributions to public outreach in mathematics. The award, named after a 12th-century Indian mathematician, carries a citation and cash prize of one million Indian rupees.

SourceICM2010·DateAug 5, 2010

Studies offer encouraging data on preventing Crohn's disease recurrence

Two studies found that infliximab and certolizumab pegol can effectively maintain remission of Crohn's disease for up to 18 months. Continuous therapy was more effective than interrupted therapy in preventing disease recurrence. Lower doses of infliximab also showed promise in maintaining intestinal mucosa integrity.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateAug 5, 2010

Economic status, genetics together influence psychopathic traits

Researchers found that children with a specific serotonin transporter gene variant are more likely to exhibit psychopathic traits if they grow up poor. These traits include lack of empathy, arrogance, and deceitfulness. The study suggests that socioeconomic environment influences the expression of this genetic trait.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateAug 5, 2010

The secret of life may be as simple as what happens between the sheets -- mica sheets

The 'life between the sheets' hypothesis proposes that structured compartments formed between layers of mica could have sheltered and evolved pre-life molecules. Mica's unique properties make it an ideal environment for life to emerge, with its ability to withstand wet/dry cycles and provide a stable surface for cells to develop.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalJournal of Theoretical Biology·DateAug 5, 2010

Human embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed cells virtually identical

Researchers found that human embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed cells exhibit very few differences in gene expression signatures and are nearly indistinguishable in their chromatin state, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. This study suggests that reprogrammed cells may indeed hold clinical promise ascribed to them earlier.

Study shows splitting bowel preparation dosage is most effective cleansing method before colonoscopy

A new study has found that a split-dosage schedule of bowel preparation is the most effective method for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy. The study found that procedures performed within six to eight hours of the end of preparation had significantly better cleansing than those performed more than eight hours after.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateAug 5, 2010

Brown University awarded $15.5-million math institute

The Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) will leverage internationally recognized programs to create long-term research programs and scholarly conferences. The institute aims to solve new problems of critical importance and benefit to society through collaboration with industries.

New findings promising for 'transformation optics,' cloaking

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new approach to overcome the fundamental limitation of metamaterials, which could enable breakthroughs in transformation optics. By placing dye between two layers of silver, they were able to amplify light and reduce absorption, promising applications such as ultra-powerful microscopes,...

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2010

Supply and demand

Scientists at EMBL have identified IRPs as key proteins ensuring iron balance in cells. In a study, they found that IRPs are required for mitochondrial function and that their dysfunction leads to iron deficiency and cellular damage.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 4, 2010

Marfan, a 'look-alike' disorder, or neither?

Researchers developed lists of physical features to aid in early detection of Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. These lists are reliable without imaging tests and can help doctors spot the disorders during a physical exam.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateAug 4, 2010