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Science News for May 26, 2010


Study identifies promising treatment for aggressive lymphoma

A study published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting showed that lenalidomide significantly improved response rates and complete remission in patients with transformed lymphoma. Patients treated with lenalidomide had a remarkable response rate, with some experiencing complete remission for over a year.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMay 26, 2010

Rheumatoid arthritis incidence on the rise in women

A recent study found a significant rise in rheumatoid arthritis incidence among women between 1995 and 2007. Researchers attribute the increase to environmental factors such as vitamin D deficiency, cigarette smoking, and lower-dose synthetic estrogens in oral contraceptives.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateMay 26, 2010

Scientists find 95-million-year-old pterosaur fossil in Morocco

A new type of 95-million-year-old pterosaur has been discovered in Morocco, distinguished by its lance-shaped lower jaw and wing span of about six metres. The discovery suggests that several types of pterosaurs lived alongside one another in the same region, each probably specializing in a different ecological niche.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 26, 2010

Genetic data added to archaeology and linguistics to get picture of African population history

A study combining genetic, archaeological, and linguistic data reveals that genetic variation in Africa is structured geographically and linguistically. The research provides a clearer picture of the continent's history and highlights the importance of independent lines of evidence in interpreting genetic and genomic data.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 2010

How do bumblebees get predators to buzz off?

Researchers found that bumblebee populations with similar colors in the same environment did not have higher loss rates to predators. Instead, birds likely avoid all animals resembling a bumblebee to avoid the sting.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateMay 26, 2010

Advances made in walking, running robots

Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important fundamental advance in robotics, achieving optimal approach with robotic mechanisms. This breakthrough aims to create robots that can walk and run effectively while using little energy, potentially leading to applications in military missions, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchai...

Study sheds light on deadly GI disease in infants born with complex congenital heart disease

A recent study by Nationwide Children's Hospital sheds light on the deadly bowel disease necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants born with complex congenital heart disease. The research reveals that neonates undergoing the hybrid procedure have a lower risk of NEC compared to those receiving the Norwood procedure.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalPediatric Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 26, 2010

Genome-wide association studies need larger sample sizes

A new study found that genome-wide association studies (GWA) have identified several genetic risk factors for common cancers, but their predictive power is limited by small effect sizes. The study suggests that performing GWA studies using larger sample sizes would yield more genetic loci with smaller or very small effects.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 26, 2010

New pathway to cheap insulin

Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre in Braunschweig, Germany, have created a new and cheaper way to produce insulin. The new method uses yeast Pichia pastoris to increase the yield of an insulin precursor, reducing costs. This breakthrough could make insulin more affordable for people in developing countries.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalMicrobial Cell Factories·DateMay 26, 2010

Tiny blood vessels in brain spit to survive

Scientists at Northwestern University found that tiny blood vessels in the brain have a unique method of clearing debris by growing a membrane that envelopes the obstruction and then shoves it out. This process is slower in an aging brain, resulting in more capillary death and potentially contributing to age-related cognitive decline.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateMay 26, 2010

Love it or hate it, PowerPoint shapes strategy-making, says new Rotman paper

A new study by Sarah Kaplan at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management reveals that PowerPoint has a significant impact on strategy-making processes. The research shows that PowerPoint facilitates greater collaboration among team members and influences the discussion parameters, leading to more effective decision-making.

Genentech uses Complete Genomics' human genome sequencing service to compare tumor and normal genome in patient with non-small cell lung cancer; results published in Nature

Complete Genomics sequenced a patient's lung tumor and normal tissue to detect somatic mutations and structural variations. The study found over 50,000 high-confidence single nucleotide variations, revealing an estimated genome-wide somatic mutation rate of 17.7 per Mb.

SourceComplete Genomics·JournalNature·DateMay 26, 2010

Slow-release NSAIDs pose greater risk of GI bleeding

A Spanish Centre for Pharmacoepidemiological Research study found that slow-release NSAIDs increase the risk of gastrointestinal complications, including GI bleeding and perforation. Long half-life or slow-release formulations were associated with a greater risk.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateMay 26, 2010

In infant heart surgery, newer technique yields better survival in first year of life

A new surgical procedure has been shown to improve survival rates in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a severe form of congenital heart disease. Researchers compared two techniques used in the initial stage of surgery and found that the newer technique, RVPA shunt, resulted in higher survival rates at 12 months.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 26, 2010

UCI researchers create retina from human embryonic stem cells

Scientists at UCI created an eight-layer, early-stage retina from human embryonic stem cells, a complex tissue structure that could lead to transplant-ready retinas for treating eye disorders. The breakthrough uses differentiation technique to create multiple cell types necessary for the retina, mimicking early-stage retinal development.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods·DateMay 26, 2010

Some bisphosphonates users unfamiliar with drug's possible side effects on oral health

A study found that patients taking bisphosphonates are often uninformed about the drug's possible side effects on oral health, including bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BON). The researchers interviewed 73 participants and discovered that 82% were unsure if their physicians had informed them about potential adverse ...

SourceAmerican Dental Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateMay 26, 2010

Ground-breaking study to improve quality of life and outcomes for kids born with heart defect

Researchers at the University of Michigan's Congenital Heart Center led a groundbreaking trial on shunts used to direct blood flow to the lungs, improving outcomes for kids born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The study found that one type of shunt was more effective over the first year, but its long-term impact is still uncertain.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 26, 2010

June 2010 Lithosphere highlights

Researchers present new slip rate estimates for the Alpine fault near Inchbonnie, New Zealand, yielding dextral, vertical, and reverse-slip rates of ~13.6, ~3, and ~3.4 mm/yr. These values have important implications for understanding plate boundary kinematics and comparing short-term strain with medium-term geologic rates.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateMay 26, 2010

Wireless patients

Researchers have developed a real-time wireless monitoring system to track vital signs of patients with debilitating conditions like Parkinson's disease and COPD. The system uses wearable sensors and a web portal for medical personnel to receive alerts in case of life-threatening events.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateMay 26, 2010

Elderly drivers' ability to detect hazards doesn't degrade with age according to Ben-Gurion U.

A new study from Ben-Gurion University found that older drivers are more sensitive to potential hazards and focus on risky situations. The research showed that experienced and older-experienced drivers were equally proficient at hazard detection, whereas young-inexperienced drivers struggled with detecting hazardous events.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateMay 26, 2010

First common gene found for congenital heart disease

Researchers identified a genetic variant in the ISL1 gene that strongly raises the risk of congenital heart disease, affecting multiple subtypes of the condition. The study provides new insights into the molecular basis of heart disease and may lead to better understanding and treatment options for children with CHD.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 26, 2010

Distressed damsels stress coral reefs

Threespot damselfish are killing head corals and adding stress to Caribbean coral reefs due to habitat competition. Restoring staghorn coral, their preferred home, can alleviate pressure on other corals. The fish were not overfished, but rather limited by available real estate.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 26, 2010

Detailed metabolic profile gives 'chemical snapshot' of the effects of exercise

Researchers developed a detailed metabolic profile of exercise effects, revealing changes in over 20 metabolites reflecting sugar, fat, and amino acid processing as fuels. These findings have implications for optimal training programs, nutritional supplements, and potential treatments for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 26, 2010