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Science News for November 15, 2010


Racetrack memory

Researchers have developed racetrack memory, which uses magnetic tape and spin-polarized currents to store data at speeds of several hundred meters per second. This technology could enable computers to boot up instantly and access information 100,000 times more rapidly than traditional hard disks.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 15, 2010

Epizyme identifies novel opportunity for treatment of genetically defined human B-cell lymphomas

A recent study published in PNAS reveals the unique role of EZH2 enzyme in cancer, facilitating the development of selective small molecule therapeutics for specific forms of human lymphomas. The research highlights the importance of targeting HMTs in genetically-defined cancer patients with high unmet needs.

SourceMacDougall Biomedical Communications, Inc.·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 15, 2010

Health professionals need to take action on water and sanitation issues

The global burden of disease associated with poor hygiene, sanitation, and water supply is substantial, accounting for nearly 20% of all child deaths worldwide. Four papers in the PLOS Medicine series highlight the need for urgent action to improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hand-washing practices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 15, 2010

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that hormone therapy has no effect on prostate size in middle-aged men, while a study on presumed consent policies suggests it may increase deceased kidney donation rates but lower living donor rates. Additionally, high co-pay costs are linked to increased prescription abandonment rates, highlighting the need for affo...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 15, 2010

Passive smokers at increased risk of hearing loss

Non-smokers exposed to tobacco smoke are at risk of hearing loss, with men and older individuals more likely to experience high-frequency hearing loss. Even low levels of passive smoking can continue the progression of hearing loss in former smokers.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalTobacco Control·DateNov 15, 2010

Brain size and a trip to Disneyland

A new study suggests that human creativity may have evolved as a way for parents to bond with their children, passing on cultural knowledge and traditions. This theory challenges the idea that creativity emerged from courtship behaviors, proposing instead that it arose from parental influences.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Tourism Anthropology·DateNov 15, 2010

Preservative-free nasal spray appears safe, remains sterile

A preservative-free, acidified nasal spray was found to be safe and effective at maintaining sterility in a small-scale study. The researchers evaluated the spray's impact on symptoms and microbial growth, finding no significant differences between the preservative-free and preservative-containing options.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateNov 15, 2010

Is heart disease genetic destiny or lifestyle?

A new study reveals that adopting a healthy lifestyle in young adulthood can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease in middle age. The five key behaviors include not smoking, low or no alcohol intake, weight control, physical activity, and a healthy diet. In contrast, genetics play a smaller role in determining cardiovascular h...

The color of medicine

A survey of over-the-counter medication users found that red and pink tablets are preferred due to their aesthetic appeal. The study suggests that the color of a pill can boost compliance and improve outcomes, and recommends considering aesthetics in pharmaceutical formulation.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biotechnology·DateNov 15, 2010

Where did you get those eyes and that brain?

A family history of Alzheimer's disease significantly increases the risk for developing the disorder, with a new study suggesting that which parent has the disease is crucial. Researchers found altered levels of amyloid and oxidative stress proteins in adult children of mothers with Alzheimer's, increasing their risk.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateNov 15, 2010

Monday news tips, Nov. 15, 2010

Researchers found that people taking anti-clotting medication often unaware of dangers of taking herbal supplements, posing a risk to patient safety. Overweight black teenagers are at high risk for cardiovascular disease due to non-traditional risk factors such as insulin resistance and family history of heart attack.

Researchers 'grow Rett syndrome' in a Petri dish

A team of researchers has developed a human cell-based model of Rett syndrome, overcoming the main limitation of accessing live neurons from patients. The study provides evidence of functional rescue using human cells and opens up new avenues for drug development and high-throughput screening.

SourceRettsyndrome.org·JournalCell·DateNov 15, 2010

Oxytocin medication often unnecessary in normal deliveries

A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that oxytocin medication is often unnecessary in normal deliveries, particularly for healthy first-time mothers with spontaneous starts of labor. The research, which monitored over 100 women, showed no significant differences between groups in terms of complications or outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateNov 15, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 15, 2010

A team of researchers identified the gene Trib1 in mice, which regulates lipid production by the liver. Overexpression of Trib1 decreased blood lipids, while lack of Trib1 increased them. This suggests that TRIB1 is responsible for associations between chromosome 8 and lipid levels.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 15, 2010

Regular exercise reduces large number of health risks including dementia and some cancers

Research review finds that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing around two dozen health conditions, including some cancers and dementia. Healthy adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, with strength-training sessions and balance exercises also recommended.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Practice·DateNov 15, 2010

Umbilical cord cells may treat arthritis

Researchers have discovered that mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood can suppress inflammation and attenuate collagen-induced arthritis. The study suggests a new potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, which currently has limited long-term drug-free remission options.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalArthritis Research & Therapy·DateNov 15, 2010

Biochemistry of how plants resist insect attack determined

Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a single P450 enzyme responsible for producing two common plant volatiles that defend against insect attacks. The discovery provides new insights into the biosynthesis of these compounds and offers potential applications in improving crop pest controls.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 15, 2010

Clinical science: Special reports II news tips

Researchers found that injecting a platelet inhibitor directly into the heart through a coronary artery may restore blood flow more effectively than conventional administration after a severe heart attack. In contrast, erythropoietin did not reduce heart damage but may increase it in patients over 70 years old. Additionally, measuring ...

Mastermind steroid found in plants

Researchers have identified about a thousand brassinosteroid target genes, revealing molecular links between the steroid and various cellular functions. The study provides the first comprehensive action map for a plant hormone, accelerating basic plant science and crop research.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateNov 15, 2010

Clinical science: Special reports I

Researchers identified irregular heartbeat in pacemaker recipients as a potential stroke risk factor. Meanwhile, disparities in cardiovascular care persist despite healthcare reform, with African-Americans and those with lower socioeconomic status receiving fewer invasive procedures. Stress tests using exercise electrocardiography and ...

New way of predicting dominant seasonal flu strain

Researchers used multidimensional scaling to create a graphical plot of amino acid sequence data for all strains of H3N2, predicting the dominant strain with high accuracy. The new method can predict whether a new flu strain will become dominant as little as two weeks after its appearance in GenBank, outperforming current methods.

SourceRice University·JournalProtein Engineering Design and Selection·DateNov 15, 2010

Brain scans detect autism's signature

Researchers at Yale University used fMRI to identify three distinct 'neural signatures' in children with autism and their unaffected siblings. These patterns, including reduced activity in certain brain regions and enhanced compensatory activity, may help with earlier and more accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 15, 2010

Microsensors offer first look at whether cell mass affects growth rate

University of Illinois researchers developed microsensors that can track individual cells' masses and divisions over time. They found that cells grow faster as they grow heavier, rather than at a fixed rate throughout the cell cycle. The sensors also allow for imaging and tracking of cellular processes in conjunction with changes in mass.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 15, 2010

Shopping religiously

A Tel Aviv University researcher discovered that a consumer's religiosity has a significant impact on their likelihood of choosing particular brands. Secular populations are more prone to defining their self-worth through loyalty to corporate brands, while religious consumers are less likely to display explicit brand preference.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalMarketing Science·DateNov 15, 2010