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Science News for March 22, 2010


Fearless fish forget their phobias

Researchers taught goldfish to associate a light flash with a shock, inducing fear. However, fish injected with lidocaine in the cerebellum showed no fear and returned to normal behavior after the anesthesia wore off. This study suggests that understanding brain processes related to fear may lead to human phobia cures.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBehavioral and Brain Functions·DateMar 22, 2010

State tax incentives for filmmakers has opposite desired effect

A study by Susan Christopherson and Ned Rightor found that film subsidy programs reduce finite state funds, benefit few citizens, and foster a race-to-the-bottom mentality. The researchers argue that policy makers need to carefully evaluate the methods used to rationalize public expenditures on incentives for economic development.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·DateMar 22, 2010

Success rates for organ transplants are increasing, but organ donations are decreasing, study shows

A new study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that the number of living donor organs available for transplant has declined over the past five years, while the number of deceased donors decreased in 2008. This decline has resulted in a widening gap between the number of organs available and the number of patients awaiting a donor organ.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateMar 22, 2010

TWEAK triggers atrophy of disused muscle

A study in JCB identifies TWEAK as a key trigger for muscle breakdown in disused skeletal muscle. Blocking this pathway could prevent muscle loss in immobilized patients. Inhibiting TWEAK with an antibody was sufficient to block muscle breakdown, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 22, 2010

Women with radial scars should undergo a surgical excision to rule out an underlying malignancy

A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology suggests that women with radial scars should undergo surgical excision to rule out an underlying malignancy. The study found that up to 40% of radial scars are associated with cancer, and that mammographic and sonographic appearances are not reliable indicators of malign...

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMar 22, 2010

Learning about riparian areas from photographs

Scientists use repeat photography to study riparian areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of experiential learning in understanding spatial and temporal variability. Participants found that using photographs enhanced their understanding of these concepts, especially climate change impacts.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education·DateMar 22, 2010

Radiotherapy can cause lasting vascular disease

New research from Karolinska Institutet found that radiotherapy can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life due to sustained inflammation in arteries. The study suggests that post-radiotherapy changes in gene expression may be the cause of this increased risk, which can appear years after treatment.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 22, 2010

How strong is your booze?

A new portable device can determine the strength of alcoholic drinks rapidly and easily, using a simple infrared sensor. The technique has been shown to be just as accurate as traditional lab-based methods and can be used in developing countries.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalChemistry Central Journal·DateMar 22, 2010

Study shows phyical therapy exercise program can reduce risk of postnatal depression in new mothers

A physical therapy exercise and health education program has been shown to improve postnatal well-being and reduce the risk of postnatal depression. The study found that the program reduced depressive symptoms and improved psychological well-being in new mothers, with a significant positive effect at 8 weeks after completion.

SourceAmerican Physical Therapy Association·JournalPhysical Therapy·DateMar 22, 2010

Children with autistic traits remain undiagnosed

A recent study found that undiagnosed children with autistic traits display repetitive behaviors and social interaction impairments comparable to clinically diagnosed children. This highlights the need for expanded support services for these children, as they are often overlooked due to a gender bias in diagnosis.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateMar 22, 2010

Alcohol in moderation is good for sick hearts too

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that moderate alcohol consumption significantly reduces the risk of death from any cause in people who have previously suffered from ischemic vascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 16,000 patients and found a 20% risk reduction, comparable ...

SourceCatholic University - Campobasso·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 22, 2010

Modern medicine conquers witchcraft

In Ghana, large-scale intervention programs have convinced people to trust medical explanations for diseases like HIV/AIDS, overcoming traditional beliefs in witchcraft. The success of long-term health initiatives in Northern regions has shown that education and community engagement can lead to better health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Stavanger·JournalGlobal Health Promotion·DateMar 22, 2010

Digging for data with Chemlist and ChemSpider

The study compared two chemical name dictionaries and found that automatic curation with Chemlist outperformed manual curation with ChemSpider. The Chemlist dictionary achieved a higher recall and better F-score, while ChemSpider's precision was higher after filtering and disambiguation.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Cheminformatics·DateMar 22, 2010

Modified technique significantly reduces radiation dose delivered during ECG-triggered coronary CTA exams

A modified technique for ECG-triggered coronary CTA significantly reduces the radiation dose delivered to patients, with no impact on image quality or interpretability. The study, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, involved 886 patients and found a 45% increase in radiation dose with increased padding duration.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMar 22, 2010

Tectonics: Precision is hallmark of 20-year study

A new model, MORVEL, offers a marked improvement on previous work by estimating the relative movements of interlocking tectonic plates. The study provides precise rates of plate spreading along mid-ocean ridges and helps researchers understand surface processes like mountain-building and subsurface processes like mantle convection.

SourceRice University·JournalGeophysical Journal International·DateMar 22, 2010

Helium rain on Jupiter

Researchers discovered a layer where helium condenses into droplets, allowing neon to dissolve and fall towards the planet's interior. This phenomenon explains the observed lack of neon in Jupiter's upper atmosphere.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 22, 2010

New guidelines for diagnosing, managing and treating Clostridium difficile

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and Infectious Diseases Society of America have released new clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults. The guidelines update recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, and infection control measures to address changes in epidemiology and disease severity.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMar 22, 2010

Noninvasive diagnostic imaging utilization rates for the Medicare population vary geographically

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found significant geographic variation in noninvasive diagnostic imaging utilization rates among Medicare beneficiaries. The study revealed that Atlanta had the highest utilization rate, while Seattle had the lowest, with a difference of over 50% between the two regions.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMar 22, 2010