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Science News Archive August 2010 - Page 2


Page 2 of 23

Special edition journal provides new perspectives and guidance for managing white pine blister rust

A special edition journal provides new perspectives and guidance for managing Cronartium ribicola, an introduced invasive pathogen causing serious damage to North American white pines. The collection of 12 articles synthesizes knowledge on the disease, identifies policy actions, and reviews future issues facing white pine management.

Hourly workforce carries burden during recession

The US hourly workforce is shouldering increased burdens during the economic slowdown, with many workers forced to accept reduced hours or irregular schedules. This lack of job security and predictability can have severe consequences for workers' well-being, including instability in family routines and increased stress.

Dramatic climate change is unpredictable

New research suggests that dramatic climate changes during the ice age were caused by chaos-dynamical fluctuations, making them challenging to predict. The study analyzed ice cores and found that temperature suddenly rose 10-15 degrees in less than 10 years, only to fall drastically and change again.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 30, 2010

Concussions in young athletes on the rise

A new study from Hasbro Children's Hospital reports a significant increase in sports-related concussions among young athletes, particularly in high school-aged athletes and those under 13 years old. The study highlights the need for further research and injury prevention strategies to address the rising trend.

SourceLifespan·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 30, 2010

Researchers to activate anti-cancer gene

CDX2 is an identity gene that tells a cell it is in the epithelial tissue of the intestine, enabling it to perform its job correctly. Cancer cells deactivate this gene, leading researchers to identify five anti-cancer genes and discover CDX2's role in suppressing colon cancer.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 30, 2010

Going live to the beating heart

Researchers at Max Planck have developed an new MRI method that significantly accelerates image acquisition time, allowing for 'live recordings' of moving joints and organs. This breakthrough enables direct monitoring of heart muscle pumping and blood flow, potentially improving diagnosis of conditions like coronary heart disease.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance·DateAug 30, 2010

Survey says: Genetics affect whether we're willing to take surveys

A new study from North Carolina State University found that genetics play a key role in whether someone is willing to participate in surveys. The research involved sending surveys to over 1,000 sets of twins and measuring response rates. Interestingly, the behavior of identical twins was a good predictor for each other, but not for fra...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateAug 30, 2010

AGU Journal highlights -- Aug. 30, 2010

Researchers discovered a relict coral reef in the southern Pacific Ocean that thrived thousands of years ago, providing insight into how reefs adapted to sea level changes. Additionally, heavy snowfall in the US and Europe was caused by the collision of El Niño and negative North Atlantic Oscillation weather patterns.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 30, 2010

Research demonstrates benefits of medical cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal finds that low doses of inhaled cannabis containing THC offer modest pain reduction and improved moods in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The study suggests that medical cannabis may be a viable alternative for patients who have not responded to standard therapies.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 30, 2010

Feasts at a funeral

A team of scientists found clear evidence of feasting at the ancient Hilazon Tachtit Cave burial site near Karmiel, Israel. The Natufian community members gathered there for special rituals to commemorate the burial of the dead, with feasts being a central element.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 30, 2010

Impact hypothesis loses its sparkle

A team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis has found no evidence of nanodiamonds, a key component of the YD impact hypothesis, in sedimentary deposits dating to the Younger Dryas period. The discovery suggests that the catastrophic event thought to have killed off North American megafauna may not have occurred.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 30, 2010

Hurts so good -- neural clues to the calming effects of self-harm

A study found that individuals with borderline personality disorder experience heightened activation of limbic circuitry in response to emotions, but physical pain stimuli suppress this activation, providing possible relief. This process may help compensate for deficient emotional regulation mechanisms.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 30, 2010

School-based intervention successfully lowers drinking rates in at-risk children

A new study finds that a school-based intervention can significantly reduce drinking rates among adolescents at risk for substance abuse. The program, which targets personality traits associated with substance use, was delivered by teachers and resulted in a 55% decrease in binge-drinking rates compared to control group.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateAug 30, 2010