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Science News Archive July 2010 - Page 21


Page 21 of 23

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

Depression may nearly double risk of dementia

A new study published in Neurology shows that having depression may increase the risk of developing dementia later in life by nearly 70%. The study examined data from over 900 people with an average age of 79 and found that those with depressive symptoms were more likely to develop dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 5, 2010

Antagonizing atherosclerosis

Researchers found that antibody-producing B cells contribute to atherosclerosis in mice, while eliminating them could prevent the disease through increased production of immune protein interleukin-17. This discovery suggests that B cell-depleting drugs may also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 5, 2010

Fetal X-ray exposure interferes with memory in adulthood

Researchers exposed fetal monkeys to x-rays and found a profound deficit in working memory ability when tested as adults. This mild insult early in gestation produced significant cognitive dysfunction that emerged with maturation, supporting the critical window of vulnerability during brain development.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 5, 2010

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A recent study found that men taking erectile dysfunction drugs have a higher rate of STDs, particularly HIV infection, compared to those who do not use ED drugs. However, the optimal timing for initiating surgery on rotator cuff injuries remains unclear, with experts debating whether early or delayed intervention is best.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 5, 2010

Antioxidants do help arteries stay healthy

A randomized controlled trial found that long-term antioxidant supplementation improved glucose and lipid metabolism, increased large and small artery elasticity, and decreased blood pressure in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The study suggests that antioxidants may have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalNutrition and Metabolism·DateJul 5, 2010

Difficult childhoods lead to teenage drinking

A study found that adolescents who experienced difficult childhoods, such as food insecurity and physical abuse, were more likely to engage in drunkenness. Researchers suggest early treatment for traumatic experiences may help prevent alcohol abuse among teens.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health·DateJul 5, 2010

Salmon in hot water

Researchers found that raising juvenile salmon at 16°C causes skeletal deformities. Fast growth temperatures disrupt bone and cartilage production, leading to increased deformity rates. The study suggests temperature-induced growth is severely affecting osteoblasts and chondrocyte cells.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Physiology·DateJul 5, 2010

Scientists find link between estrogen metabolism pathway and breast cancer risk

A large-scale study involving over 7,700 participants found a positive association between DNA polymorphisms related to estrogen production and breast cancer development. The research suggests that combining multiple genetic markers can estimate breast cancer risk and may lead to the development of new prevention and treatment strategies.

News from Karolinska Institutet at ESOF 2010

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet are contributing to ESOF 2010 with presentations on topics like neuroscience, intellectual property management, and Parkinson's disease treatment. The university is also organizing workshops and seminars on topics such as entrepreneurship and the future of research.

Flash, aaaaagh!

A recent study analyzing academic websites across the US found that many are using outdated and insecure Flash applications, leaving them susceptible to hacking. The researchers used a tool provided by Hewlett Packard to scan 250 educational sites, revealing low-level security vulnerabilities in over 20% of cases.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJul 2, 2010