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Science News for April 28, 2011


Fish livers contain beneficial fatty acids

A new study confirms that fish livers contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to health and have been found in high levels in certain species. The researchers highlight the nutritional properties of these organs and suggest that their use could reduce environmental pollution caused by discarding fish entrails.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Food Composition and Analysis·DateApr 28, 2011

Mutations in single gene may have shaped human cerebral cortex

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that mutations in a single gene, centrosomal NDE1, may have played a key role in shaping the human cerebral cortex. The research found that these genetic variations were responsible for microcephaly, a condition characterized by abnormally small brains.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 28, 2011

Alcohol, mood and me (not you)

A new study uses long-term data to discover that the relationship between mood and alcohol use varies greatly among individuals. Adolescents with behavioral problems tend to drink more regardless of their mood, while those without behavioral issues exhibit a stronger link between depression and increased drinking when feeling down.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateApr 28, 2011

Video captures cellular 'workhorses' in action

Scientists at Yale University used fluorescent stains to create movies of cellular actin filaments disassembling, shedding light on their mysterious process. The study reveals the location of breaks along the filaments, crucial for cell movement and maintenance.

SourceYale University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Reducing risk of renal failure in obese patients

A new study by the American Society of Nephrology found that ramipril lowers the risk of kidney disease progression in all weight groups, but shows a significant reduction in obese patients. Obese patients with kidney disease progress more quickly towards renal failure compared to non-obese patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 28, 2011

Use of costly breast cancer therapy strongly influenced by reimbursement policy

A study found that Medicare reimbursement policy significantly affects the use of costly breast cancer therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The analysis showed a sharp increase in IMRT usage and costs between 2001 and 2005, with billing rates varying by region and treatment setting.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 28, 2011

Taking safety personally

Psychologist E. Scott Geller advocates for a culture of safety that empowers workers to report hazards and encourages positive reinforcement over threats. He argues that root causes are complex and multi-factorial, and that listening to workers can lead to safer workplaces.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateApr 28, 2011

Our own status affects the way our brains respond to others

A new study found that people with higher social status respond more strongly to information about others of higher status, while those with lower status respond more strongly to information about others of lower status. This effect is linked to the brain's value system and has important implications for social behavior and interactions.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Nanotechnologists must take lessons from nature

Researchers Peter Cummings and Michael Simpson propose that mimicking natural processes can lead to more efficient and reliable devices. By exploiting contrarian behavior and 'noise,' scientists can develop technology that outperforms traditional methods, as seen in the humble bacterial cell's ability to withstand modern medicines.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 28, 2011

Animals have personalities, too

A new study found that animal personalities are reflected in their oxidative stress profiles, with timid birds experiencing higher levels of damaging oxygen toxins and weaker defenses. In contrast, curious birds had better defences against oxidative damage.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Prejudice and the President

A University of Delaware doctoral student conducted a study on how racial prejudice affects perceptions of President Barack Obama's 'Americanism' and performance. The results show that white Americans who hold prejudiced views against black people are more likely to rate Obama as performing poorly in office.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 28, 2011

1 drug, many targets: Is this the future?

Researchers have identified multiple molecular targets of the anti-HIV drug nelfinavir, which may explain its effectiveness as a cancer therapy. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that the collective effect of these weak interactions leads to the clinical efficacy of nelfinavir.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Monkeys, too, can recollect what they've seen

Rhesus monkeys demonstrated flexible recall of simple shapes from memory, similar to humans, and showed ability to transfer memory skill to novel shapes. This finding suggests that the ability to recollect may have been present in our common ancestor 30 million years ago.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011