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Science News for February 16, 2010


The carbon cycle before humans

Researchers studied organic carbon-rich sediments from an ancient seabed to learn about a devastating event when oxygen levels in the oceans dropped so low that one-third of marine life died. The studies found that volcanic activity triggered a biogeochemical cascade, leading to a decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 16, 2010

Split-course palliative radiotherapy confirmed as effective treatment for advanced NSCLC

Research found that split-course palliative radiotherapy reduced patients' symptoms by 52-84% and provided long-lasting relief in 58% of cases. Cancer survival rates were not adversely affected by a two-week break in treatment, demonstrating the regimen's potential as an optimal option for symptom management.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 16, 2010

Photons led astray

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have demonstrated that quantum particles can take both possible paths simultaneously in a random walk, leading to interference patterns and increased intensity at the edges. This breakthrough could provide new insights into statistical processes like photosynthesis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 16, 2010

Caltech researchers create highly absorbing, flexible solar cells with silicon wire arrays

A team of scientists from Caltech has created a new type of flexible solar cell that enhances the absorption of sunlight and efficiently converts its photons into electrons. The solar cell uses only a fraction of the expensive semiconductor materials required by conventional solar cells, making it potentially cheaper to produce.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 16, 2010

AGU journal highlights -- Feb. 16, 2010

Scientists discover that tidal forces may have triggered the devastating Sumatra earthquake of 2004 and that rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are leading to ocean-basin-wide acidification. A new catalog of terrestrial gamma ray flashes has also been created, providing insights into these mysterious bursts of energy.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 16, 2010

Autism's earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months

A new study has found that autism symptoms do not appear abruptly at 6 months, but rather emerge gradually and become apparent during the latter part of the first year of life. By 12 months, children with autism showed significant declines in social communication and eye contact compared to typically developing children.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 16, 2010

Focus on EU-funded research projects in trust and security

The EU's Framework Programmes have been a driving force in ICT Trust and Security research, with six ongoing FP6-IST projects submitting their papers to the Journal of Computer Security. The projects aim to convert know-how into economic advantages, while advancing security, privacy, and trust in new technologies.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Computer Security·DateFeb 16, 2010

A review of vegetated buffer efficacy

Scientists analyzed over 300 papers to establish relationships between buffer design features and pollutant removal efficacy. The study found that buffers with trees have higher nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficacy than those with grasses or mixtures of grasses and trees.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateFeb 16, 2010

Pets on planes

Canadian Medical Association Journal urges airlines to prioritize human passenger safety over accommodating small pets in airplane cabins. The Canadian Transportation Agency considers requiring airlines to safeguard passengers with pet allergies, forcing a reevaluation of airline policies.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 16, 2010

Fetal surgery continues to advance

Fetal surgery continues to evolve with advancements in prenatal diagnosis and surgical techniques. Experts at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia describe innovative procedures for treating rare defects, including lung masses, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and spina bifida.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalSeminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2010

Research validates surgery alone offers reasonable overall survival for stage I SCLC

Research published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology investigates the effectiveness of surgery as a standalone treatment for stage I small cell lung cancer. The study found three- and five-year survival rates of 58.1% and 50.3%, respectively, for patients who underwent lobectomies without radiotherapy.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 16, 2010

All eyes on retinal degeneration

Scientists studying fruit flies have discovered a critical step in fly vision that is also linked to human retinal dystrophies, which cause visual impairments or blindness. The study's findings suggest that using flies as a model organism can lead to the development of new therapies for treating human retinal degeneration.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2010

Surface science goes inorganic

Researchers at Northwestern University and Oxford University have developed a new method to understand surface layers of atoms, critical for material properties. The bond-valence-sum method has shown how to arrange atoms on surfaces, enabling predictions of material behavior.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 16, 2010

Review highlights health benefits of flexible working arrangements

A Cochrane review found that flexible working arrangements with employee control can positively impact health outcomes such as blood pressure and sleep patterns. The study also highlighted the need for further research on how different types of workers experience the effects of flexible working.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateFeb 16, 2010