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Science News for July 6, 2010


For lambs, a pasture a week keeps blood suckers away

A study by the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service found that rotational grazing and checking a lamb's eye color can minimize deworming. The researchers tested 71 lambs with the barber pole worm, finding that gel capsules filled with copper oxide wire particles eliminated the need for conventional dewormers in ...

Stapled transanal rectal resection is beneficial for patients with obstructed defecation

A recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) is a safe and beneficial surgical procedure for patients with obstructed defecation syndrome. The procedure significantly improved symptoms of constipation, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJul 6, 2010

New study confirms positive effects of delayed school start times

A study at a small private high school in Rhode Island found that delaying school start time by 30 minutes improved adolescent alertness, mood, and health. The researchers observed significant increases in sleep duration, decreases in daytime sleepiness, and improvements in motivation.

SourceLifespan·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJul 6, 2010

Hips don't lie: Researchers find more accurate technique to determine sex of skeletal remains

A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has developed a new method for determining the sex of skeletal human remains with high accuracy. The technique uses three-dimensional imaging technology to analyze the shape and size of the pelvis, identifying over 20 key anatomical landmarks that can help determine a body's sex.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences·DateJul 6, 2010

Competition is a double-edged sword for teenage girls

A study by Dr. David Hibbard and Dr. Duane Buhrmester found that competing to win is detrimental to teenage girls' social relationships and well-being, while competing to excel has no gender differences in its effects. Competing to excel benefits both genders, improving self-esteem and reducing depression.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateJul 6, 2010

Searching for causes of neural disconnection in schizophrenia

Studies found higher and lower levels of genes regulating spine plasticity in individuals with schizophrenia. These alterations may contribute to layer-specific deficits in dendritic spines, a structural abnormality relevant to the disorder. Further research aims to develop new treatments targeting these disturbances.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 6, 2010

Lone whales shout to overcome noise

Research reveals that North American right whales adjust their calls in response to increased ocean noise levels, maintaining signal-to-noise ratio while incurring costs. This adaptation is crucial for successful communication in a noisy ocean, but its long-term effects on whale behavior and population health remain uncertain.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 6, 2010

Maternal diet and genes interact to affect heart development

Research suggests that a pregnant mother's diet can interact with her child's genetic predispositions to affect the type or severity of birth defects, including congenital heart disease. A high-fat diet has been shown to increase the risk of this condition in mice offspring, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateJul 6, 2010

Reversible watermarking for digital images

Researchers developed a reversible watermarking system to verify the authenticity of digital images without modifying them. The system uses a Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC) to embed and extract watermark bits, allowing for lossless data integrity verification.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Signal and Imaging Systems Engineering·DateJul 6, 2010

Elsevier announces new edition of Infectious Diseases

The new edition of Infectious Diseases provides comprehensive guidance on overcoming the latest clinical infectious disease challenges, including updates on H1N1 and avian influenza viruses. The book's editorial team offers regular content updates, case studies, and an interactive disease outbreak map.

SourceElsevier·JournalInfectious Diseases·DateJul 6, 2010

New study contradicts negative perceptions of menopause

A new study from the University of Sheffield found that social and psychological factors have a bigger impact on women's sex lives during menopause than previously thought. The research suggests that individual experiences vary greatly, with external factors like relationships and care-giving playing a significant role.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalJournal of Health Psychology·DateJul 6, 2010

Rhythm of life: Music shows potential in stroke rehabilitation

A Cochrane Systematic Review found that music therapy, specifically rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), can improve walking speed and arm movements in stroke patients. RAS therapy was shown to be more effective than standard movement therapy, with an average improvement of 14 metres per minute.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateJul 6, 2010

Recommendations for treatment of inherited lung disease are unjustified

A systematic review by Cochrane Researchers concludes that alpha-1 antitrypsin replacement therapy has no clinically important effect on lung function, may cause modest harm, and is extremely expensive. The treatment should not be recommended due to the lack of evidence and potential adverse effects.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateJul 6, 2010