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Science News for July 26, 2010


Most men with low-risk prostate cancer receive aggressive treatment

A study found that men with low-risk prostate cancer often receive aggressive treatment, including surgery or radiation, even if their PSA levels are low. The researchers suggest that lowering the biopsy threshold for men with PSA levels below 4 nanograms per milliliter could lead to an increase in unnecessary treatments.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJul 26, 2010

Heart failure care improved by performance intervention at outpatient cardiology practices

A new performance intervention improved adherence to national guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure patients in an outpatient setting. The program applied clinical decision support tools, structured improvement strategies, and medical chart audits with feedback to help clinicians better provide evidence-based therapies.

International formula milk marketing code mired in 3 decades of dispute

A child nutrition expert argues that a global code for formula milk marketing has been mired in disputes since its adoption in 1981. The lack of effective national and international governance has hindered efforts to improve maternal, infant, and child nutrition. Effective governance is now needed to replace bitter hostilities.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateJul 26, 2010

JCI table of contents: July 26, 2010

Researchers have developed a new drug that targets peripheral CB1 cannabinoid receptors to improve cardiometabolic risk in mouse models of obesity. The drug inhibits the same protein as rimonabant, but without neurological side effects. This approach may reduce health risks associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 26, 2010

Children with brain injuries have problems with story-telling

Research at the University of Chicago found that children with brain injuries have difficulty developing story-telling skills. The study, published in Developmental Science, compared the language abilities of children with brain injuries to those with typical development. While vocabulary and sentence comprehension were similar, the ch...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJul 26, 2010

New research: What does your avatar say about you?

Researchers at Concordia University found that avatar-creators tend to create avatars that resemble their own personalities, with physical characteristics like hair length and clothing style providing clues about the creator's traits. This correlation has implications for companies looking to reach both virtual and real-world audiences.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPsychology and Marketing·DateJul 26, 2010

Higher risk of infection and death in First Nations people on peritoneal dialysis

A Canadian study found First Nations people on peritoneal dialysis experience higher rates of peritonitis and mortality, despite living in either rural or urban areas. The high prevalence of diabetes and obesity among First Nations populations contributes to the growth of kidney disease and renal failure, necessitating dialysis care.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 26, 2010

Doctors don't 'get' their patients

A study found that physicians' understanding of patient health beliefs is generally poor, but significantly improves when patients are more actively involved in consultations. Healthcare providers can better tailor treatment recommendations by encouraging patients to express their beliefs and concerns.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 26, 2010

Converging weather patterns caused last winter's huge snows

A team of scientists at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory found that the anomalous winter was caused by two colliding weather events: El Niño and a strong negative phase in the North Atlantic Oscillation. This event led to more snowfall on the East Coast and northwest Europe, contrary to climate change predictions.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 26, 2010

New invention at the Weizmann Institute

A new device developed at the Weizmann Institute uses sniffing technology to enable communication and wheelchair steering for severely disabled individuals. The device was tested on healthy volunteers and quadriplegics, showing promising results in mastering the skill, which can also be used as a 'third hand' for surgeons and pilots.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2010

One-size-fits-all approach to child custody can endanger moms and kids

A University of Illinois study reveals that child custody evaluators' beliefs can be broadly categorized into two groups, with one prioritizing safety for women and children. Situational violence is the most common type, but intimate terrorism is also prevalent, involving control through threats and monitoring.

Elder care puts strain on adult parent-child relationship

A study of over 2,600 parents and children across six nations found that long-term caretaking duties can strain relationships, while apathy is more detrimental than conflict. Cultural values and economic development play a significant role in shaping the dynamics of intergenerational family relationships.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJul 26, 2010

Not as Web savvy as you think

A Northwestern University study found that many college students trust websites and search engines ranked high on Google, prioritizing brand recognition over factual accuracy. The study involved 102 students who showed a strong preference for Google and other top brands, even when given hypothetical information-seeking tasks.

NASA satellite improves pollution monitoring

The study reveals that incorporating NASA products into the BASINS model significantly improves water quality model performance. By capturing the effects of water flow during storm periods, the NASA data systems provide a more accurate representation of non-point pollution and improve estimates of water quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJul 26, 2010

Predicting drug responsiveness in cancer patients

Researchers identified a way to predict which cancer patients will respond to everolimus, a treatment targeting the protein mTOR. The presence of KRAS gene mutations is associated with lack of response to treatment, suggesting that looking for PIK3CA and KRAS mutations can help predict patient outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 26, 2010

Shade-coffee farms support native bees that maintain genetic diversity in tropical forests

A University of Michigan biologist and a colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, found that shade-grown coffee farms support native bees that pollinate native trees and enhance genetic diversity. The study suggests that these bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity in tropical regions.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2010

Preventing heart problems while keeping a cool head

Researchers at Max Planck Institute discover that flushing phenomenon triggered by nicotinic acid is caused by activation of Langerhans cells and keratinocytes, leading to inflammation and skin redness. Development of novel 'flush inhibitors' could improve treatment outcomes for cardiovascular diseases.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 26, 2010

Treatments for blocked carotid arteries vary by US region

A significant geographic variation was found in the use of carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting among Medicare beneficiaries, with different regions having varying rates of each procedure. Men and patients with a prior diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease were more likely to undergo carotid revascularization.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJul 26, 2010

Scientists 'reprogram' mouse fat cells into clinically useful stem cells

Researchers have successfully reprogrammed adult mouse fat cells and neural cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) that can differentiate into various cell types. The study demonstrates that adipose tissue-derived cells are the most amenable to reprogramming, making them a promising source for clinical applications.

Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them

A new survey of child psychiatrists reveals that nearly one-third of school-aged and adolescent patients suffer from insomnia, leading to the widespread use of sleep medication. The study suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although clinical approaches vary widely.

SourceLifespan·JournalSleep Medicine·DateJul 26, 2010

U of G research reveals how monarchs fly away home

New research reveals that some North American monarchs born in the Midwest and Great Lakes fly directly east over the Appalachians and settle along the eastern seaboard. The study suggests that the viability of east coast populations is highly dependent upon productivity on the other side of the mountains.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 26, 2010

Heart bypass for uncomplicated heart surgery does not reduce neurocognitive function in children

A new study published in Pediatrics found that cardiopulmonary bypass during heart surgery for less complicated congenital heart defects in school-aged children does not affect their cognitive abilities. Researchers compared the outcomes of 35 children who underwent open-heart surgery with non-cardiac surgical patients and non-surgical...

Emergency care may be failing to spot future suicidal patients

A study found that nearly half of suicides among mental health patients occurred within a year of visiting an emergency department, highlighting the need for better screening and assessment practices. Frequent attendees were more likely to have a history of self-harm and alcohol misuse, underscoring their high risk group status.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateJul 26, 2010

Obesity rise linked to disability increase among elderly in Latin America and the Caribbean

Obesity rates among seniors in Latin America and the Caribbean have surged, leading to a significant increase in disability among elderly populations. Current trends suggest that unchecked obesity will result in larger numbers of people vulnerable to chronic medical conditions, straining healthcare resources in poorer countries.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJul 26, 2010