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Science News for September 20, 2010


In pregnancy, a large waistline and high triglycerides: Early screen for gestational diabetes

A study published in CMAJ found that an increased waistline and high triglyceride levels during the first trimester are linked to higher glucose intolerance levels later in pregnancy. Researchers suggest that measuring waist girth in combination with triglyceride concentrations may be useful for early screening of gestational diabetes.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateSep 20, 2010

How safe is your swipe?

Tel Aviv University researchers Prof. Avishai Wool and Yossi Oren have developed a method for extracting more information from secure chips using modern cryptology methods and constraint programming. By analyzing power fluctuations, they can block out 'noise' and deliver accurate analysis of chip secret contents.

Secrets of birds' sexual signals revealed

Researchers discovered that barred patterns on birds' feathers play a crucial role in sexual signaling, particularly on the front of males during face-to-face interactions. The study, published in Journal of Evolutionary Biology, provides insight into bird communication and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateSep 20, 2010

Preserving nerve cells in motor neuron disease

A team of researchers identified a way to preserve nerve cells in motor neuron disease by preventing symptom onset, weight loss, and paralysis. This discovery provides a new avenue for the development of therapeutics for ALS and other motor neuron diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 20, 2010

Learning how consumers value products

A new study by University of Maryland and Georgetown University researchers found that suggesting consumers will use a product frequently can reduce their interest in buying it. The study suggests that ads or customer reviews highlighting low usage frequency can backfire if consumers believe they won't be able to keep up with others.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 20, 2010

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians has announced that current stool DNA tests are not effective or cost-effective for colorectal cancer screening. Additionally, researchers have found that using proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel together does not increase risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes after a first heart attack. In anot...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 20, 2010

Returning troops face both physical and mental challenges

A new study highlights the excess burden of medical conditions on top of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning US soldiers. Women with PTSD suffer from more medical conditions than men, with a median value of 7 conditions compared to 4.5 in women without mental health issues.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 20, 2010

Nano antenna concentrates light

Researchers at Rice University have developed a nano antenna that can concentrate light by a factor of 1,000. By measuring the electrical current flowing between two gold tips separated by a nanoscale gap, they were able to determine the amplification of light intensity in the gap.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 20, 2010

Pollution takes its toll on the heart

A new study by Long Island Jewish Medical Center and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research found that fine particles of pollution can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. For every 10ug/m3 rise in small particle air pollution, there was a four-to-ten percent increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 20, 2010

Seagulls harbor antibiotic resistant bacteria

A recent study published in Proteome Science found that one in ten seagull droppings contain 'superbug' bacteria resistant to Vancomycin. The researchers used a novel technique called proteomics to detect bacterial proteins connected to antibiotic resistance, providing new targets for antimicrobial agents and potential biomarkers.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalProteome Science·DateSep 20, 2010

Learning from lizards

Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois created a square polymer stamp with pyramid-shaped tips to mimic geckos' micro- and nano-filaments. This allows for varying adhesion strength, enabling the transfer and printing of electronics on complex surfaces.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 20, 2010

Nanocatalyst is a gas

A new catalyst formula, developed by Rice Professor Michael Wong and his team, can improve the efficiency of gasoline production and make it better for the environment. The catalyst turns straight-line molecules into branched n-pentane, resulting in a higher-octane gasoline.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 20, 2010

Cancer experts join forces to call for noncommunicable diseases to be included in the Millennium Development Goals

Global cancer leaders call for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to be included in the Millennium Development Goals to address the growing health issue. NCDs, responsible for 35 million deaths worldwide, face a lack of indicators and inadequate funding, with less than 2% of overseas development aid allocated to these diseases.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateSep 20, 2010

Study examines HIV treatment response in men and women, finds overall similarities

A new study found that the effectiveness of anti-HIV drugs darunavir and ritonavir was similar between men and women. However, women dropped out of the trial at higher rates than men due to reasons other than drug failure. The study aims to improve retention of diverse populations in HIV treatment trials.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 20, 2010

For neurons to work as a team, it helps to have a beat

Neuroscientists found that cortical rhythms can effectively rally groups of neurons in widely dispersed regions of the brain to engage in coordinated activity. The study used data from four macaque monkeys and showed that the timing of electrical spikes was synchronized with brain rhythms occurring in distinct frequency bands.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 20, 2010

Taking the pulse of coral reefs

Coral reefs are surprisingly noisy places with fish and invertebrates producing clicks and grunts that provide useful information about the state of the reef. Healthier reefs were found to be louder, with a clear association between overall noise level generated and the amount of living coral.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateSep 20, 2010

New study indicates higher than predicted human exposure to the toxic chemical bisphenol A or BPA

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives ties rodent data to predictions of human health effects from BPA, suggesting human exposure is much higher than estimated and likely from unknown sources. The study's findings renew the call for governmental agencies to identify all products containing BPA.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateSep 20, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Sept. 20, 2010

Researchers identified ways to preserve motor neuron cells in ALS and enhance CD8+ T cell therapy for leukemia. Expanding immune suppressors via TNFRSF25 could prevent allergic lung inflammation in asthma. These findings may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for these diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 20, 2010