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Science News for April 4, 2011


Caterpillars aren't so bird brained after all

Researchers found that caterpillars position themselves in areas with abundant twigs during the day to avoid detection, but switch to richer feeding grounds at night. This complex behavior shows that masquerading prey use habitat-selection strategies to exploit predators' hunting behavior.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Mars in Spain

Researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have discovered formations in Catalonia resembling Mars' giant spring mounds. The study, published in Geodinamica Acta, suggests possible similarities in origin, shedding new light on the search for water on Mars.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalGeodinamica Acta·DateApr 4, 2011

Algae that live inside the cells of salamanders are the first known vertebrate endosymbionts

Scientists have discovered algae living inside the cells of developing spotted salamanders, marking the first known example of a eukaryotic algae endosymbiont in vertebrates. This finding highlights the complexity of animal-algae interactions and raises questions about the evolutionary origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Prix Galien winners published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

The Prix Galien awards recognize outstanding achievements in improving the global human condition through innovative drugs and treatments. The 2010 winners were announced as a special issue of Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, including Luminex Corporation for xTAG™ and Merck & Co, Inc. for RotaTeq™.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

When African animals hit the hay

Fossil teeth analysis reveals different herbivore families responded differently to the emergence of C4 warm-season grasses in East Africa. The shift occurred at varying rates and times, with some animals adapting to their new diet before grasslands spread rapidly.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Leatherback sea turtle nests increasing in Florida

A new Duke University-led study reveals a 10.2% increase in leatherback sea turtle nests at 68 beaches in Florida since 1979, suggesting conservation and recovery efforts are paying off. The growth may be attributed to improved monitoring, reduced predators, and changing ocean conditions favoring turtles.

SourceDuke University·JournalEcological Applications·DateApr 4, 2011

Addressing the nuclear waste issue

Researchers use Closterium moniliferum algae to remove strontium, a major component of nuclear waste, by sequestering it in solid crystals. The algae's ability to differentiate between strontium and calcium can help isolate highly radioactive 'high-level' waste from 'low-level' waste.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChemSusChem·DateApr 4, 2011

Tumors resistant to radiation therapy may be controlled by the MET oncogene

Researchers discovered that ionizing radiation drives overexpression and activity of MET through the ATM and NF-κB signaling pathways, making some tumor cells resistant to radiation. Inhibiting MET counteracted this increased invasiveness, promoting apoptosis in tumor cells and enhancing the effect of radiation.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 4, 2011

Study shows patient's own cells may hold therapeutic promise after reprogramming, gene correction

Researchers have determined that correcting a genetic defect does not substantially increase the number of potentially cancer-causing mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells. This breakthrough suggests that human-induced pluripotent stem cells altered to correct a genetic defect may be cultured into subsequent generations of cells ...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Scientists find gene linked to alcohol consumption

A study of over 47,000 people found that a genetic variation in the AUTS2 gene is associated with lower alcohol consumption, suggesting its role in regulating drinking behaviour. The researchers also investigated animal models and found that blocking a related gene increased sensitivity to alcohol.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Adult-sized ATVs are not safe for kids; statistics startling

ATV-related injuries disproportionately affect children, with lower extremity fractures, partial foot amputations, and head injuries being common. The number of ATV-related deaths among children has increased dramatically over the past decade, highlighting the need for proper adult supervision, helmets, and age-appropriate vehicles.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateApr 4, 2011

Call of the riled

Researchers discovered that cancer cells generate a 'stress response' signal that induces nearby macrophages to issue a similar stress response, promoting inflammation and tumor development. This finding presents a potential target for tumor-specific therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Genetic changes behind sweet tooth

A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that people with certain genetic changes in the ghrelin gene consume more sugar than those without. Trials using rats also showed reduced sugar consumption when ghrelin was blocked, suggesting a strong link between ghrelin and addictive behaviors

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 4, 2011

Teens who choose music over books are more likely to be depressed

A University of Pittsburgh study found that teenagers who spent more time listening to music were 8.3 times more likely to be depressed, compared to those who read books the most, which had a protective effect against depression. The study used an intensive 'real-life' methodology and involved 106 adolescent participants.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateApr 4, 2011

Study finds leptin restores fertility, may improve bone health in lean women

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found that a synthetic form of leptin can restore fertility and reduce the risk of bone fractures in lean women with hypothalamic amenorrhea. The study shows significant improvements in hormone levels, menstrual cycles, and bone density after treatment with metreleptin.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that adults reporting workdays of 11 hours or longer had a 67 percent higher relative risk for CHD than those working 7 or 8 hours a day. Additionally, self-monitoring and self-adjustment of anticoagulant doses resulted in superior patient outcomes without an increase in major bleeding events.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 4, 2011

ACC/AHA/HFSA release 2011 Heart Failure Programs Staffing Profile survey results

A recent survey by the ACC/AHA/HFSA found that heart failure programs in the US are struggling to find the right mix of clinicians to manage this growing patient population. The study concludes that staff ratios remain the same despite program growth, indicating under-staffing with reduced financial resources.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 4, 2011

Dangerous blood pressure increases during exercise can be blocked, UT Southwestern researchers find

UT Southwestern researchers have identified a specific type of blood pressure medication that minimizes the effect of decreased blood flow and oxygen levels in muscles during exercise. This finding has implications for people with high blood pressure who may stop exercising due to fear of heart attack or stroke.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 4, 2011

Study provides first link between 2 major Parkinson's genes

A Canadian-led international study has found a link between the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's and the hallmark accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the brains of people with Parkinson's. The GBA mutation increases the risk of developing Parkinson's symptoms four to five years earlier than those without it.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateApr 4, 2011

Researchers link herpes to Alzheimer's disease

A new technique allows scientists to observe herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) infections growing inside cells, revealing a mechanism by which HSV1 leads to Alzheimer's disease. Frequent interactions between viral particles and cellular amyloid precursor protein facilitate viral transport while interfering with normal APP distribution.

SourceBrown University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 4, 2011

Clumsy kids who don't 'grow out of it'

Children with DCD tend to struggle with motor skills, socialization, and emotional regulation, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. The study found that voluntary lack of participation in after-school activities can exacerbate the problem, but intervention is possible with proper diagnosis and monitoring.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalResearch in Developmental Disabilities·DateApr 4, 2011

Mountain pine beetle marching east from Alberta

The mountain pine beetle has invaded jack pine forests in Alberta, successfully jumping species from its main host to the dominant Canadian boreal forest tree. Researchers tracked the infestation's progress across Alberta, finding the insects as far east as Slave Lake, and plan further research to estimate their potential speed of spread.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateApr 4, 2011