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Science News for December 8, 2011


New advance announced in reducing 'bad' cholesterol

Researchers from the University of Leicester and UCLA have made a major breakthrough in developing targeted drugs to lower 'bad' cholesterol levels. By targeting the enzyme IDOL, scientists aim to increase LDL receptor production, thereby lowering circulating cholesterol levels in humans.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2011

Researchers link patterns seen in spider silk, melodies

Researchers at MIT have created an analogy between the physical structure of spider silk and the sonic structure of a melody, showing that the structure of each relates to its function in an equivalent way. The study reveals that structural patterns are directly related to functional properties such as lightweight strength and sonic te...

New target found for aggressive cancer gene

Researchers have discovered a new target for treating aggressive cancers driven by the Myc oncogene, which can be targeted by inhibiting enzymes that are unique to cancer cells. The study identified SAE2 as a potential candidate gene that slows growth rates of human breast cancer cells when depleted.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2011

The impact of quantum matter

Researchers at the Joint Quantum Institute create more complicated collisions between atoms using laser light, enabling the observation of high-angular-momentum scattering in long-lived atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. This innovation may facilitate the creation of exotic quantum states for practical applications like quantum computing.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2011

Personalized treatment for Crohn's Disease a step closer following gene mapping

Scientists at UCL have discovered three new gene regions on chromosome 16 associated with Crohn's Disease, which could lead to personalized treatment and improved understanding of its inheritance. The study used a novel gene mapping approach to analyze genetic information from 1698 patients, replicating results using independent US data.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateDec 8, 2011

Tart cherry juice drinkers gain sleep advantage

A study published in European Journal of Nutrition found that drinking two glasses of tart cherry juice per day significantly improved sleep behaviors in healthy adults. The researchers attribute the benefits to the melatonin content of tart cherries, a powerful antioxidant critical for regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·DateDec 8, 2011

Football could contribute to strokes in adolescents

A new study found potential causes of strokes in young football athletes, including hyperventilation, obesity, and repeated neurological injury. The authors highlight the increased force of impacts among obese players, which also increases the likelihood for other stroke risk factors like hypertension.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Child Neurology·DateDec 8, 2011

Building a sustainable hydrogen economy

Researchers propose sustainable hydrogen economy as a solution to climate change and dwindling oil reserves, leveraging renewable energy sources for production and conversion. Complementary deployment of hydrogen fuel cells and battery electric vehicles can offer a versatile transportation option.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Sustainable Design·DateDec 8, 2011

Pharmaceutical spam

Patients exposed to prescription drug spam are more likely to seek additional information online, potentially leading to unauthorized medication purchases. The study highlights the need for policymakers to address the impact of medical marketing on patients.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business and Systems Research·DateDec 8, 2011

Scientists capture single cancer molecules at work

Researchers have visualized telomerase molecules in living cells using advanced microscopy techniques, revealing that they cluster on specific telomeres and elongate them during cell division. This breakthrough provides new insights into the regulation of telomerase activity, a key factor in cancer development.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 8, 2011

Climate change driving tropical birds to higher elevations

A new study by Duke University researchers has found that tropical birds are moving to higher elevations in response to climate change, but at a slower rate than predicted. The animals appear to be tracking changes in vegetation rather than migrating rapidly, suggesting a delay in their response to warming temperatures.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 8, 2011

Few hospitals aggressively combat catheter-associated urinary tract infections

A nationwide survey found that few hospitals are aggressively combating catheter-associated urinary tract infections, a common healthcare-associated infection. The study suggests that hospitals may not be using enough prevention practices for UTIs, despite increased use of methods to prevent other hospital-acquired infections.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 8, 2011

Kidney injury: A serious risk to the health and survival of today's soldiers

A study found that acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among military personnel with burns and wounds sustained during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study also revealed a significant increase in mortality rates among patients with AKI, with death rates ranging from 0.2% to 65.1%. By preventing or modifying kidney injury, research...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 8, 2011

Taxi driver training changes brain structure

A study by Eleanor Maguire found that taxi driver training increases gray matter in the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory and spatial navigation. The brain's plasticity allows it to adapt to new tasks, even in adulthood.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 8, 2011

Depressed? Crossed wires in the brain

Researchers found decreased connectivity between emotional behavior regions and an increase in connection between the caudate and prefrontal cortex in depressed brains. This disruption may lead to sustained negative thoughts and difficulty updating working memory.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBiology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders·DateDec 8, 2011

The heart of the plant

Researchers have identified a critical component of a molecular pump system that transports sugars throughout plants, which could lead to increased crop yields and improve food security. The discovery also provides new insights into plant pathology and offers potential solutions for protecting crops from pests.

Breakthrough in regulating fat metabolism

Researchers at University of Warwick have found that the CPT1 enzyme has a switch controlling its activity, which can lead to better understanding of individual metabolic rates. This discovery may lead to development of drugs targeting specific patients with conditions like diabetic keto acidosis.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 8, 2011

Humility key to effective leadership

A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that humble leaders model growth and learning, and legitimize followers' journeys. Humble leaders who admit mistakes, praise followers, and learn from errors tend to have higher-performing organizations.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateDec 8, 2011

Keeping our beaches safe

A new wireless sensor device can detect high concentrations of E. coli bacteria in under 1 hour and lower concentrations in less than 8 hours. This rapid detection system has the potential to serve as an early warning tool for beach safety, providing a more timely response to fecal contamination.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science·DateDec 8, 2011

Study sheds light on cancer burden in Australia

Cancer incidence rates have increased while deaths have decreased in Australia over the past quarter century. The study found that Indigenous Australians face higher death rates due to disparities in cancer diagnoses, treatments, and other illnesses.

SourceWiley·JournalAsia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 8, 2011

Freshman women's binge drinking tied to sexual assault risk

A study of 437 young women found that nearly half who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking by the end of their first college semester. Binge drinking was linked to an increased risk of sexual victimization, regardless of previous drinking habits. Parents are urged to talk with their children about drinking befo...

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateDec 8, 2011