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Science News Archive March 2010 - Page 5


Page 5 of 27

Is it really bipolar disorder?

A new study from Rhode Island Hospital has found that a widely-used screening tool for bipolar disorder may incorrectly identify borderline personality disorder. The research team tested the accuracy of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and found that it misidentified patients with borderline personality disorder, leading to potent...

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMar 25, 2010

Autism susceptibility genes identified

Researchers have identified two genes, LRRN3 and LRRTM3, associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), providing valuable insights into the genetic basis of the condition. Variations in these genes were found to be significantly associated with susceptibility to ASD.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMolecular Autism·DateMar 25, 2010

New understanding of protein's role in brain

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a modified protein that plays a key role in memory processes, altering its function and enabling stronger neural connections. This finding represents an important step in understanding how the brain stores memories.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 25, 2010

New period of brain 'plasticity' created with transplanted embryonic cells

Scientists at UCSF successfully created a new period of brain plasticity in juvenile mice by transplanting embryonic cells into the visual cortex. This approach may one day be used to repair neural circuits following injury or disease. The findings suggest that inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in regulating this plasticity period.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 25, 2010

The Medicare donut hole: Now you're covered, now you're not

A new study found that women and patients with dementia and diabetes are most likely to enter the Medicare Part D coverage gap, facing significant out-of-pocket drug expenses. The researchers suggest medication cost-counseling interventions for these clinically vulnerable subpopulations may be warranted.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 25, 2010

Talk to your babies

Researchers found that words significantly impacted 3-month-old infants' cognitive performance in a categorization task. Infants who heard words showed evidence of forming the fish category, while those who heard tones did not.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChild Development·DateMar 25, 2010

Study IDs medical conditions that put seniors at risk of falling into Medicare 'donut hole'

A new study identifies women and patients with diabetes and dementia as most likely to fall into Medicare's 'donut hole', a gap in coverage where beneficiaries face unsubsidized medication costs. Researchers recommend doctor-patient counseling to manage drug regimens and prevent adverse effects on patients' health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 25, 2010

Your fat may help you heal

A Rice University researcher has developed a natural extracellular matrix from adipose cells that supports the growth of living cells into tissues. The substance, called Adipogel, has been proven effective for growing liver cells and may be used to repair damaged organs in the future.

SourceRice University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMar 25, 2010

A prescription for excellence

The new center will provide timely data on prescriptions to doctors, pharmacies, and regulatory agencies, helping identify best practices in prescription monitoring. The initiative aims to reduce the serious epidemic of drug abuse, taking thousands of lives.

April 2010 Geology and GSA Today highlights

Recent studies have shed new light on explosive volcanic eruptions in the ocean, a 300-million-year-old forest from the Andes, and innovative methods for dating sedimentary rocks. Researchers have discovered a unique eruption style dubbed 'Poseidic,' characterized by uninterrupted magma ascent, while fossil evidence supports an ecologi...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateMar 25, 2010

Pregnancy for breast cancer survivors: Meta-analysis reveals it is safe and could improve survival

A recent meta-analysis of 14 trials found that pregnancy after breast cancer diagnosis reduces the risk of death by 42%. The study suggests that hormonal changes during pregnancy may have an inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells, and that foetal antigens may also play a role in reducing the risk of recurrence. The findings support t...