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Science News Archive October 2010 - Page 11


Page 11 of 25

Photovoltaic medicine

Researchers have developed miniature solar cells that can release chemotherapeutic drugs directly to tumors, reducing systemic side effects. The devices convert light into electric current and can be controlled by varying the intensity of light.

Study: Religious diversity increases in America, yet perceptions of Christian nation intensify

A study by Jeremy Brooke Straughn found that American religiosity is becoming more diverse, yet perceptions of Christianity as a dominant force are intensifying. This trend coincides with the decline of Protestantism and the rise of religious diversity, highlighting the need to consider the impact of religion on national identity.

SourcePurdue University·JournalSociology of Religion·DateOct 19, 2010

How green is your campus?

A study analyzing 180 university campuses reveals that factors such as regulatory pressures, financial constraints, and stakeholder opinions significantly impact adoption of sustainable practices. Smaller institutions may benefit from subsidies or technical assistance to adopt green initiatives and attract environmentally conscious stu...

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateOct 19, 2010

Globalized economy more sensitive to recessions

Rice University scientists used evolutionary theory to show that globalization makes the global economy more sensitive to recessionary shocks and recovers more slowly from them. The researchers found a trend of increasing modularity in the trade network since 1969, but also a brief increase in modularity after each recession.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 18, 2010

100-million-year-old mistake provides snapshot of evolution

Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered a 100-million-year-old gene mutation that led to differences in how plants produce male and female parts. The study found that the mutation, which occurred around 20 million years ago, creates a new role for one of the duplicate genes, enabling it to make both male and female parts.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2010

Watching violent TV or video games desensitizes teenagers and may promote more aggressive behavior

Research published in the Oxford Journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that exposure to violent media can lead to decreased brain activation in regions involved in emotions and emotional responses. This desensitization can result in increased acceptance of violence and a reduced likelihood of forming consequences wi...

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateOct 18, 2010

Body's bacteria affect atherosclerosis

Researchers found that bacteria from the mouth and gut can enter the body and contribute to inflammation and plaque rupture in atherosclerosis. The study identified specific bacteria, such as Pseudomonas luteola and Chlamydia pneumoniae, which were present in both atherosclerotic plaques and the mouths and guts of patients.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2010

New evidence of the power of open access

New evidence supports the power of open access in increasing citation impact for higher-quality research. The study found that mandatory and self-selected open access articles have similar citation impacts, contradicting the self-selection bias hypothesis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 18, 2010

Japanese researchers report on liver transplantation studies using animal and iPS cells

Two Japanese research teams have reported breakthrough studies in liver cell transplantation, with one team finding that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and another team successfully transplanting porcine hepatocytes into mice with acute liver failure, highlighting progress in overcomin...