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Science News Archive February 2010 - Page 20


Page 20 of 22

Mechanical forces could affect gene expression

Researchers at the University of Michigan have shown that small mechanical forces can control gene expression by reducing DNA looping, a common mechanism for gene regulation. The study provides new insights into how cells regulate themselves and could lead to new understandings of diseases such as cancer and cardiac disease.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 2, 2010

Big study of dirty air inversions

A new $1.3 million study aims to understand and simulate 'cold-air pools' that trap pollutants in the Salt Lake Valley, causing poor air quality. The research will utilize models and instruments to analyze temperature and wind patterns, shedding light on the challenges of simulating these events.

Psychiatric patient suicides can be prevented

A study found that psychiatric patients who absconded from wards were more likely to be young, unemployed, and homeless with high rates of schizophrenia and substance misuse. Improving ward environments and implementing tighter controls on exits may help prevent these cases.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2010

Study: Many physicians not using established criteria

A new study found that many non-psychiatrist physicians and a substantial minority of psychiatrists reported infrequently using the DSM-IV criteria to diagnose major depressive disorder. This could lead to unnecessary medication prescriptions for patients who do not have major depression.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2010

Rapid breathing, parental concern, and doctor's instinct among the red flags warning of serious infection in children in developed countries

A systematic review highlights clinical features that confirm or exclude the possibility of serious infection in children presenting to general practice. Clinical features like cyanosis, poor peripheral perfusion, and petechial rash are deemed red flags, while parental concern and doctor's instinct are strong indicators.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 2, 2010

New way to lose fat, keep the lean

Scientists have identified a new mechanism that helps the body burn more energy, leading to increased fat burning and lean muscle mass. The study suggests that targeting the Fyn kinase enzyme may offer a promising approach for developing new weight loss treatments.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateFeb 2, 2010

Play yourself healthy

A large-scale research project at the University of Copenhagen found that soccer is an effective form of exercise for improving cardiovascular risk factors, including maximal oxygen uptake and blood pressure. Small-sided games also showed significant gains in terms of cardio and strength training.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateFeb 2, 2010

Scientists map out regulatory regions of genome, hot spots for diabetes genes

Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill created a first-of-its-kind map of the human genome's regulatory elements, revealing clusters specific to pancreatic islet cells. The study identified genetic variants associated with type II diabetes and found that certain genes are 'turned on' or 'off', opening new avenues for understanding the disease.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 2, 2010

Researchers show applied electric field can significantly improve hydrogen storage properties

A team of researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University has identified a new theoretical approach to simplify the synthesis of hydrogen fuel storage materials. An external electric field can significantly improve the thermodynamics and reversibility of the system, making it an ideal energy carrier.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2010

Ultra-cold chemistry

Researchers directly observe chemical exchange processes in an ultracold sample of cesium atoms and Feshbach molecules, allowing for controlled study of chemical reactions. This breakthrough opens a new avenue to study diverse chemical reactions using ultracold quantum gases.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 2, 2010

Spherical cows help to dump metabolism law

Researchers challenge long-held 3/4-power law of metabolism with new paper, finding support for 2/3 exponent in geometry and network analysis. Empirical evidence from animal studies also aligns with 2/3 exponent, suggesting a potential universal scaling law for metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 2, 2010

Diabetes patients rank health concerns differently than their doctors, U-M survey shows

A survey by the University of Michigan Medical School found that 28% of doctors and their diabetic patients do not agree on the most important health conditions to manage. Diabetics were more likely to prioritize symptoms such as pain and depression, while doctors focused on diabetes and hypertension.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2010

Immediate risk of suicide and cardiovascular death after a prostate cancer diagnosis

A new study found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US face a higher risk of suicide and cardiovascular death, particularly during the first year after diagnosis. The study suggests that providing emotional counseling and support for patients newly diagnosed with cancer may be essential to mitigate this risk.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 2, 2010

University of Oklahoma study reveals 'red hot' results

A new weight-loss supplement, tri-pepper blend, has been shown to burn as many calories as a 20-minute walk. The University of Oklahoma study found statistically significant results, validating product weight-loss claims through measurements of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·DateFeb 2, 2010

Immune protein fends off exotic virus

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that type I interferons are essential for combating Chikungunya virus infection. The unexpected finding is that fibroblasts, not immune cells, produce the virus-fighting proteins during infection.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateFeb 1, 2010

Genetically modified mice reveal another mechanism contributing to heart failure

A study using genetically modified mice reveals a previously unidentified mechanism contributing to heart failure, specifically the decreased release of neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This finding opens up a new avenue for treating failing hearts and highlights the significance of acetylcholine regulation in cardiac function.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateFeb 1, 2010

Abstinence-only intervention may play a role in preventing sexual involvement among teens

A randomized controlled trial found that an abstinence-only program targeting reduced sexual intercourse was associated with lower rates of sexual involvement among African American sixth- and seventh-graders. After 24 months, 33.5% of participants in the abstinence-only group had engaged in sex, compared to 48.5% in the control group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateFeb 1, 2010

Antibodies attack immune proteins

Two studies published in Journal of Experimental Medicine reveal that patients with a rare autoimmune disease produce antibodies that bind and disarm cytokines, which fight airborne pathogens. These findings may help explain the recurring nature of these patients' yeast infections.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateFeb 1, 2010

Ecologists discover forests are growing faster

A new study published in PNAS reveals that forests in the Eastern United States are growing at an accelerated rate of 2 tons per acre annually. This growth is attributed to rising CO2 levels, increased temperatures, and longer growing seasons. The findings suggest a significant response of ecosystems to climate change.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2010

New form of stem cell communication rescues diseased neurons

Researchers demonstrate that transplanted stem cells can rescue diseased neurons from death by sending signals through gap junctions, a newly recognized way of cell communication. This mechanism may play a role in both normal development and many diseases, including Huntington's disease and spinal cord injuries.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2010

Evolution impacts environment, challenging traditionally held view, UC Riverside study finds

A UC Riverside study reveals that ecology and evolution are reciprocally interacting processes, with evolutionary processes influencing ecology in turn. The research found that guppies adapted to different stream communities exhibited distinct impacts on their ecosystems, including differences in diet and nutrient cycling.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2010