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Science News Archive January 2010 - Page 17


Page 17 of 20

U of Alberta researchers find mechanism that could prevent or treat deadly peroxisome diseases

Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a universal mechanism that ensures peroxisomes transfer into cells after division, potentially leading to prevention or treatment of deadly disorders. The discovery has implications for screening carriers and could help babies born with peroxisome disorders survive longer.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJan 7, 2010

Each pound at birth lowers risk of developing TB

A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that each additional 1.1 pounds of birth weight decreases tuberculosis risk by 46% among identical twins. The association is stronger for males, with an 87% reduced risk, and sheds light on the developmental origins of health and disease.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 7, 2010

Duda, where'd my spines go?

UC researcher Michal Polak confirms one of Darwin's theories by showing that the spines on Drosophila bipectinata males assist them in copulation. The study found that removing these spines resulted in drastic reductions in ability to copulate and compete for mates.

Nanoscience goes 'big'

Researchers have made a breakthrough in engineering nanoscale materials, enabling the creation of large-scale arrays of individual structures with precise locations. This discovery could lead to advancements in sensing, transistors, and other applications.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 7, 2010

Golden ratio discovered in a quantum world

Researchers observed a nanoscale guitar string-like behavior in cobalt niobate, with atomic scale vibrations exhibiting the golden ratio. This discovery reflects a hidden symmetry and special property of the quantum system, with potential implications for future technology.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2010

Seeing with your hands? Hand amputation may result in altered perception around the hands

A study in Psychological Science reveals that hand amputation distorts visuospatial perception of the action space. Participants with amputations underestimated distances relative to their intact limbs. The research suggests losing a hand may 'shrink' the action space, leading to permanent spatial perception distortions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 6, 2010

Fewer headaches on the horizon thanks to latest guidelines

The International Headache Society has published new research guidelines to stimulate more research into headache treatment and reduce health risks associated with treatment. The guidelines focus on episodic and chronic tension-type headaches, aiming to identify more effective treatments and improve clinical trial safety for patients.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalCephalalgia·DateJan 6, 2010

Getting a grip on school timetables

Researchers in Brazil develop a GRASP heuristic for efficient school timetabling, solving the NP-hard problem by balancing teacher preferences, student schedules, and resource constraints. The algorithm improves solution quality and reduces building time.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Operational Research·DateJan 6, 2010

Setting the record straight on weight loss

A recent study by Research Australia suggests that relying solely on fat oxidation for weight loss is ineffective. The research found that mice genetically altered to burn fats in preference to carbohydrates still converted unburned carbohydrates into stored fat, ultimately leading to the same weight and body composition as normal mice.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 6, 2010

Study: US biofuels policies flawed

A new policy paper questions the economic, environmental and logistical basis for billions of dollars in federal subsidies and protectionist tariffs for domestic ethanol producers. The report highlights the environmental threats posed by current biofuels policy and challenges claims that ethanol use lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists reveal Milky Way's magnetic attraction

Scientists have discovered that the Milky Way's magnetic field is significantly stronger than initially believed, with a strength of at least 10 times greater than the rest of the galaxy. This finding has important implications for various astronomical data calculations and theories, including star formation and cosmology.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2010

Multiple patient samples of an analyte improve detection of changes in clinical status

Researchers developed a mathematical methodology to reduce biologic variation in laboratory results, improving the sensitivity of detecting physiologic changes. By using multiple paired sets of patient data, they found a substantial decrease in the difference necessary to achieve a given confidence interval.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalArchives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·DateJan 6, 2010