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Science News Archive February 2010 - Page 9


Page 9 of 22

New method makes vaccines stable at tropical temperatures

Scientists have developed a simple and cheap way to make vaccines stable at tropical temperatures, eliminating the need for refrigeration. The method involves mixing vaccines with sugars and drying them on membranes, preserving the active part of the vaccine and allowing it to be shipped at normal temperatures.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

Extreme jets take new shape

Researchers found that gamma rays originate closer to one light year from black holes than expected, and the jet curves as it travels away from the black hole. This new understanding of blazar jets requires a rethinking of their structure and poses challenges for theorists trying to construct such jets.

Obama's Promise Neighborhoods Initiative

The initiative, modeled after Harlem Children's Zone, combines public charter schools and community services to help disadvantaged individuals gain financial security. Recent research suggests that similar results can be achieved independent of community investments, but additional evidence is needed to measure long-term impacts.

SourceWiley·JournalCity and Community·DateFeb 17, 2010

Training birth attendants in developing countries increases babies' survival

A study conducted in six countries showed that training birth attendants in newborn care and resuscitation significantly increases a baby's survival rate. The intervention resulted in a 30% reduction in stillbirths and a 15% decrease in perinatal mortality, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide each year.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

New intervention helps Latino parents of asthmatic children quit smoking

A new study suggests that clinically-based smoking cessation programs may not be enough to help Latino smokers with asthmatic children kick the habit. Researchers found that a culturally-tailored intervention providing feedback on secondhand smoke exposure was more effective in helping these parents quit smoking.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateFeb 17, 2010

Wall, war, wealth: 30 years in science

The study examines the effects of geopolitical change on scientific production over the last 30 years. Asia's share of world scientific output grew by 155% and China has shown spectacular progress, catching up with the US in natural sciences and engineering by 2015.

New method makes vaccines stable at tropical temperatures

Scientists at Oxford University have developed a new method to make vaccines stable at tropical temperatures using Nova Bio-Pharma Technologies' patented HydRIS system. This technology has the potential to revolutionize vaccination efforts, particularly in the developing world where infectious diseases kill millions of people every year.

SourceGravitas PR·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

Stillbirths drop dramatically after newborn-care training in developing countries

A basic three-day newborn care training regimen reduced the rate of stillbirths by 23% to 15.9 per 1,000 deliveries, with improved outcomes among births attended by midwives and traditional birth attendants. The study, funded by NIH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, tracked over 120,000 births in six developing countries.

Chubby birds get there faster

Researchers found that fat garden warblers, like those studied in Italy, take significantly shorter breaks during migration. They typically move on by nightfall, while thin birds wait for nearly two days to replenish their fat reserves. This study highlights the importance of ecologically-intact resting grounds for migratory birds.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 17, 2010

Stiff party competition, modest salaries good for state government, study shows

A national study spanning 120 years found that vigorous two-party competition provides the best guarantee for meaningful governance, while modest salaries for lawmakers add a second protection against narrow-interest legislation. The research examined 13 states and found that larger party control leads to more parochial legislation.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateFeb 17, 2010

New research on multiracial adoption questions current practices

A new study suggests that transracial adopted children of mixed race need early and ongoing experiences within their origin's cultural communities to build healthy cultural identities. The research emphasizes the importance of culturally grounded relationships over cultural artifacts in identity development.

SourceWiley·JournalFamily Process·DateFeb 17, 2010

February 2010 Lithosphere highlights

The February issue of Lithosphere highlights the evolution of the northwestern Red Sea, with two main tectonic events contributing to its formation. The study also explores the Fish Lake Valley fault in eastern California and the incision of major rivers into the Tibetan Plateau's bedrock.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateFeb 17, 2010