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Science News for December 10, 2010


Iron legacy leaves soil high in manganese

Researchers found elevated manganese levels in 20 of 21 soil samples from a ridge at Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, with 53% attributed to atmospheric deposition from industrial sources. The excess manganese can be toxic to trees and other vegetation, highlighting the legacy of past iron furnaces.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 10, 2010

UVic biomedical engineer 'outsmarts' HIV

Stephanie Willerth's research on HIV has significantly advanced understanding of the virus and its resistance to medications. Her study of over 15,000 different versions of the virus has led to the identification of specific genes resistant to drugs, paving the way for more effective treatments.

SourceUniversity of Victoria·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 10, 2010

Researchers establish new rule to predict risk of stroke, death from surgery that prevents it

Researchers developed a clinical risk prediction rule using factors such as sex, race, and health history to assess the danger of carotid surgery. The CEA-8 rule found that one-fourth of asymptomatic patients were at higher risk than recommended national guidelines, highlighting the importance of weighing individual benefits and risks.

Lowering the drinking age is unlikely to curb college binge drinking

A new study suggests that lowering the minimum legal drinking age may not effectively reduce college binge drinking, as it relies on poor enforcement and student misperceptions of normal drinking habits. The research found that campuses with lax underage drinking laws and high levels of misperception were more likely to see a decline i...

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateDec 10, 2010

Beyond bars

The latest issue of Index on Censorship highlights the vital role writers can play in supporting their colleagues facing persecution. Contributors, including Margaret Atwood and Lydia Cacho, share their experiences and emphasize the importance of protecting free expression.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalIndex on Censorship·DateDec 10, 2010

A few steps could lead to big gains for hospitalized seniors

A new study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that hospitalized elderly patients who take even short walks around their unit tend to leave the hospital sooner than those who are less mobile. This correlation was observed after adjusting for varying severities of illness, suggesting a potential 'standard of ca...

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateDec 10, 2010

Poor breast cancer prognosis associated with presence of circulating tumor, cancer stem cells

A new study by researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that metastatic breast cancer patients with circulating tumor cells (CTCs) before or after treatment have shorter survival periods. Patients with higher percentages of epithelial cells or specific cellular transitions had higher chances for relapse. The study suggests that u...