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Science News Archive May 2010 - Page 17


Page 17 of 26

Does foreign policy help or hinder global health?

Global health diplomacy is gaining traction in foreign policy circles, with the WHO Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative aiming to integrate health into international agendas. Experts emphasize the importance of diplomatic engagement for addressing global health challenges and advancing national security objectives.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 11, 2010

Caffeine reduces mistakes made by shift workers

A new study found that caffeine can help shift workers make fewer mistakes and improve their performance in tasks such as driving and neuropsychological tests. The researchers reviewed data from 13 trials studying the effects of caffeine on shift work and found a significant reduction in errors made by participants.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateMay 11, 2010

DNA could be backbone of next generation logic chips

Duke University engineer Chris Dwyer demonstrates that DNA can be used to create simple logic gates, or switches, using light to excite molecules. This technology has the potential to produce virtually unlimited supplies of these tiny circuits, paving the way for faster and more efficient computing.

SourceDuke University·JournalSmall·DateMay 11, 2010

Bats' echolocation recorded for human exploit

Researchers have recorded and recreated Egyptian fruit bats' echolocation calls, allowing them to apply the technique to human engineering systems. The study will enhance information on robotic vehicles' locations, detecting structural flaws.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateMay 11, 2010

Overtime work is bad for the heart

A long-running study of over 10,000 civil servants in London found that working overtime was associated with a 60% higher risk of heart-related problems. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, controlled for various risk factors and suggested that chronic stress may be a key mechanism behind this association.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMay 11, 2010

Cheaper drugs, vaccines forecast as collaborations grow between developing countries' biotech firms

A study found that south-south collaborations between biotech firms in developing countries are increasing, enabling the production of affordable health products. These collaborations have already led to successful vaccine development and distribution, such as the Brazil-Cuba collaboration during Africa's meningitis outbreak.

SourceSandra Rotman Centre for Global Health·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMay 10, 2010

Running a marathon halts cellular suicide

Researchers found that strenuous exercise like running a marathon shifts the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, potentially halting cellular suicide. The study suggests that sirtuin proteins may play a key role in this process, offering new insights into the effects of exercise on cell death.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Physiology·DateMay 10, 2010

Rare toxic algae identified

Scientists have identified a rare species of pathogenic algae causing human skin infections and septicemia. The discovery may lead to better treatment protocols and economic benefits for the dairy industry.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateMay 10, 2010

Astronomers plan second look at mega star birthing grounds

An international team of astronomers will conduct a closer look at the mega star birthing cloud, located 8,000 light years away in the Southern sky constellation Carina. The cloud is collapsing in on itself, offering an unusual view into behemoth star birth and providing insights into the formation of our solar system.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 10, 2010

Nano parfait a treat for scientists

Scientists at Rice University have made a breakthrough in creating highly purified samples of carbon nanotube species using ultracentrifugation, a technique that can help enable the development of efficient nationwide electrical grids and critical applications in medicine and electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 10, 2010

X-rays reveal chemical link between birds and dinosaurs

A team of paleontologists, geochemists, and physicists used X-ray technology to analyze the Thermopolis Archaeopteryx fossil, revealing half a dozen chemical elements that were part of the living animal itself. The study confirms that feathers in the fossil are actual fossilized feathers containing phosphorus and sulfur.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2010

Physical therapist-led exercise in patients in ICU improves function and decreases hospital stay

A study published by the American Physical Therapy Association found that physical therapist-led exercise programs in ICU patients improve functional mobility and reduce hospital stays. The program involved 57 patients who received rehabilitation-based exercise sessions, resulting in a decrease of 2.1 and 3.1 days in ICU and hospital l...

SourceAmerican Physical Therapy Association·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateMay 10, 2010