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Science News for August 2, 2011


Cooked green vegetables, dried fruit, legumes, and brown rice associated with fewer colon polyps

A recent study published in Nutrition and Cancer found that high consumption of these foods was associated with a reduced risk of colon polyps by 33-40%, confirming the results of past studies. The protective effects may be due to their cancer-fighting agents, including fiber and detoxifying compounds.

Long periods of estrogen deprivation jeopardizes brain receptors, stroke protection

Researchers found that prolonged estrogen deprivation in aging rats reduces brain receptors for the hormone and its ability to prevent strokes. Early estrogen replacement therapy can forestall this damage. The study's results suggest a critical window for estrogen therapy, either right before or right after menopause.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2011

Bilingual school counselors help narrow achievement gap

A recent study found significant improvements in reading and math scores for Spanish-speaking students who received a specialized bilingual/bicultural school counselor-led program, closing the traditional achievement gap. The evidence-based program positions school counselors to show their direct impact on student achievement.

SourceSAGE·JournalCounseling Outcome Research and Evaluation·DateAug 2, 2011

How do you stop tasting?

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center discover a protein called Serca3 that terminates bitter taste signals by removing calcium from taste cells. This finding may help explain why some people are supersensitive to certain tastes and could lead to the development of medicines to minimize unpleasant side effects.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 2, 2011

BGU researchers develop webcam tool to improve office worker posture

A multidisciplinary team at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev developed a new training method using desktop webcams to improve ergonomic posture among office workers. The photo-training method provided effective short-term and long-term posture improvement, particularly for older workers and those with musculoskeletal pain.

Weakness in aging tied to leaky muscles

Research ties aging muscle weakness to leaky calcium channels in muscle cells. A drug already in Phase II clinical trials for heart failure may help repair these channels, restoring muscle function. The study's findings suggest a new approach to addressing age-related muscle wasting by focusing on muscle function rather than mass.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 2, 2011

Study: Inexpensive method detects ALK rearrangement in lung cancer patients

A new, cost-effective method for detecting ALK rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer patients has been developed. This approach is comparable to the established gold standard, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and could enable more patients to access potentially life-saving crizotinib therapy.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateAug 2, 2011

1 species of pathogen can produce 2 distinct biofilms

Researchers have discovered that Candida albicans produces two distinct types of biofilms: a traditional pathogenic one and a second sexual type. The majority of cells forming these biofilms are sexually incompetent, but a minority are sexually competent and form highly permeable biofilms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 2, 2011

UT professor's pathogen research inspires robotics design for medicine and military

A UT professor's research on a pathogen that attacks the small intestines of humans and animals has inspired the development of robots that can fight disease and aid in military operations. The microorganism Giardia has been found to have unique properties, such as efficient swimming and attachment mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2011

Regrowing blood vessels with a potent molecule

Scientists have developed a method to deliver growth factor to regrow blood vessels, which could lead to revolutionary heart disease treatment. The research, published in PNAS, uses a novel delivery system that increases the activity and stability of growth factor.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2011

What's in a kids meal? Not happy news

A study by UC San Diego researchers found that convenience-driven choices account for 36-51% of a child's daily caloric needs, with meals providing over 50% of recommended sodium intake. The study highlights the need to educate families on making healthier decisions when dining at fast-food restaurants.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalChildhood Obesity·DateAug 2, 2011

TV time: Why children watch multi-screens

A new study examines children's use of multiple screens, finding they often watch TV while interacting with other devices. Children enjoy filling breaks during entertainment with phone calls or texts, and TV is used to provide background entertainment for other activities.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateAug 2, 2011

Parents' conflicts affect adopted infants' sleep

Researchers found that marital conflict in adoptive parents can impact their infant's sleep patterns, which becomes regulated during infancy. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that marital instability may set a child up for problematic sleep patterns.

SourcePenn State·JournalChild Development·DateAug 2, 2011