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Science News Archive November 2010 - Page 19


Page 19 of 27

Global warming reduces available wind energy

A study by Diandong Ren finds that rising global temperatures decrease wind speeds, reducing the power output of wind turbines. This means that more wind turbines are needed to achieve the same amount of energy production, highlighting the need for a switch to renewable energy sources earlier.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateNov 9, 2010

Foucault, revisited

Researchers from Argentina have successfully created a new type of Foucault pendulum that is smaller and more efficient than traditional devices. The new pendulums, which are designed to be compact enough to fit in a lobby or classroom, use advanced techniques to reduce the elliptical drift of the pendulum and improve precision.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateNov 9, 2010

Poll analysis: Americans have conflicting views about spending on public health system

A majority of Americans supports increased spending on public health in general, but there is a partisan divide and divisions within specific areas. Meanwhile, most people believe the US is not spending enough on improving and protecting public health, and many see long-term savings from measures to improve health and prevention.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·DateNov 9, 2010

New heart pump to provide temporary assist for infants, adults

Researchers have developed a new type of heart pump to improve the survival rate for infants undergoing surgeries to correct univentricular circulation. The innovative 'viscous impeller pump' can be inserted through a catheter and expands to form two cones, spinning at 10,000 rpm to efficiently pump blood.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateNov 9, 2010

DNA reveals origins of first European farmers

A recent genetic study has overturned current thinking on the origins of European farming populations. The research, published in PLOS Biology, found that these early farmers were more closely related to populations living in modern-day Turkey, Iraq, and other parts of the Ancient Near East than to local hunter-gatherers.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 9, 2010

Lab on chip for membrane proteins

A novel lab-on-chip device has been developed to screen sensitive membrane proteins in parallel, utilizing a nano-fabricated chip with 50,000 nanopores. This technology preserves protein structure without organic solvents or solid support, enabling simultaneous analysis and preserving fragile protein function.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 9, 2010

Changing family behavior helps schizophrenic patients avoid relapse

A new Cochrane systematic review found that changing family behavior can help prevent relapses in people with schizophrenia. The study analyzed data from 53 trials involving over 4,700 patients and showed significant benefits of family interventions, including reduced hospital admissions and improved social functioning.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateNov 9, 2010

Potential drug therapy for diabetic retinopathy under study

Scientists are exploring the therapeutic potential of (+)- pentazocine in treating diabetic retinopathy. The study aims to determine if the drug can block or promote sigma receptor action and improve retinal health in patients. Researchers also want to know if the drug is effective when given later in the disease process.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateNov 8, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 8, 2010

Researchers have identified markers associated with breast cancer outcomes and found a protein linked to tumor spread. Additionally, a new therapeutic target for tumor suppression has been discovered, while gene therapy shows promise for improving wound healing in diabetic patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2010