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Science News Archive October 2010 - Page 13


Page 13 of 25

Missouri Botanical Garden researcher discover new genus

Researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden have discovered a new genus of tree, Hondurodendron, which is endemic to Honduras and has unique characteristics. The genus was identified through morphological and molecular analysis, and its single species, Hondurodendron urceolatum, has a distinctive fruit resembling a guava.

SourceMissouri Botanical Garden·JournalAnnals of the Missouri Botanical Garden·DateOct 15, 2010

Study confirms: Whatever doesn't kill us can make us stronger

A new study found that experiencing some lifetime adversity can contribute to the development of resilience, leading to lower global distress, functional impairment, and increased life satisfaction. Researchers analyzed a national sample of 2,398 subjects and discovered a U-shaped relationship between lifetime adversity and outcomes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 15, 2010

Eat safer: Novel approach detects unknown food pathogens

Researchers developed a novel approach to automated detection and classification of harmful bacteria in food using machine-learning. The method can identify known and unknown classes of food pathogens, improving the ability to detect bacterial contamination in tested samples.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalStatistical Analysis and Data Mining The ASA Data Science Journal·DateOct 15, 2010

How to weigh a star using a moon

New work by astrophysicist David Kipping reveals that astronomers can calculate a star's mass using its orbiting planet and moon. By measuring the size of the planet and moon relative to the star and their orbital periods, scientists can use Kepler's Laws of Motion to determine the density of the star.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 15, 2010

A river ran through it

A study of 36 rivers found that human activities such as droughts and floods alter the length of food chains, particularly eliminating top predators like large-bodied fish. Climate change will exacerbate these effects, making it crucial to factor in the fate of large-bodied fishes in water management.

Images shed new light on inflammation

Researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered that damaged tissue can release signals that attract white blood cells, leading to inappropriate inflammation. The team used innovative imaging techniques to observe this process in real-time, shedding light on potential new treatments for inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2010

Humidity makes gecko feet stickier

Researchers found that humidity helps geckos grip tighter by softening the surface of their feet, not through microscopic water bridges. The setae's increased softness strengthens contact with surfaces and makes it easier for geckos to peel their feet off.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 15, 2010

What did T. rex eat? Each other

A study published in PLoS ONE found that Tyrannosaurus rex had bite marks on its own bones, indicating cannibalism. The research suggests that T. rex may have eaten smaller dinosaurs as well, and that its eating habits were different from those of modern species.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 15, 2010

Kidney disease patients require individualized care

Research highlights that kidney disease patients' blood pressure management needs are not one-size-fits-all, with age, race, and diabetes affecting mortality risk. The rate of kidney function decline also significantly impacts patient prognosis, suggesting a need for tailored strategies to protect kidney function.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 14, 2010

Asteroid collision forensics

Researchers pinpointed the exact date of a February 2009 asteroid collision using computer simulations and OSIRIS camera system images. The debris trail's three-dimensional shape, visible from a unique Rosetta space probe viewpoint, helped reconstruct the collision in detail.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2010

Emergency medical services should advise bystanders giving CPR to perform chest compression only, not mouth-to-mouth

A study published in The Lancet found that dispatcher-assisted CPR producing chest compression only results in improved survival rates compared to standard CPR. Continuous uninterrupted chest compressions are vital for successful CPR, and avoiding mouth-to-mouth ventilation increases the probability of a successful outcome.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 14, 2010

Not all doctors follow cancer screening guidelines

A new study found that only one-fifth of primary care physicians follow practice guidelines for all recommended colorectal cancer screening tests. Many clinicians overuse or underuse screening, leading to unnecessary testing and potential complications.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 14, 2010

JILA unveils improved 'molecular fingerprinting' for trace gas detection

Scientists have developed an improved laser-based technique to detect traces of key molecules in a gas, including greenhouse gases and pollutants. The new technology can identify a wider variety of molecules with lower concentration levels than before, making it suitable for applications such as breath analysis and atmospheric monitoring.

Push and pull get eyes to work together

Researchers found a new training method to reduce sensory eye dominance by making the weak eye work while suppressing vision in the strong eye. This approach improves depth perception and may be beneficial for professions that require fine depth perception, such as dentists and surgeons.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 14, 2010

Researcher find fats galore in human plasma

A national research team led by UC San Diego scientists created the first lipidome of human plasma, discovering hundreds more fats than previously known. The findings reveal lipids' diverse roles beyond energy storage and cell membrane building, including signaling molecules that may play a role in diseases like diabetes and cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateOct 14, 2010