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Science News Archive December 2011 - Page 19


Page 19 of 23

With mutation, you can have your cream and eat it, too

A study found that individuals carrying a mutant gene associated with high HDL cholesterol can more efficiently clear triglycerides from their system. This discovery provides new insights into the role of glycosylation in lipid metabolism and has implications for the treatment of heart disease.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 6, 2011

Combating counterfeit medicines

Counterfeit medicines pose significant health risks, and experts argue that the World Health Organization (WHO) should play a key role in combating them. The authors propose an international treaty on medicine quality under WHO auspices to address this issue.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 6, 2011

Addressing pain and disease on the fly

Researchers at Brandeis University discover that fruit flies use two forms of TRPA1 to sense warmth and chemicals, providing potential solutions for chronic pain and disease control. The study's findings have implications for developing bug sprays and traps to combat mosquito-borne diseases.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2011

Study finds new triple drug combination increases tumour eradication in HER2-positive breast cancer by more than 50 percent compared with standard treatment

A new triple drug combination has been shown to increase tumour eradication in HER2-positive breast cancer by more than half, with 46% of patients achieving a pathological complete response. The treatment was well-tolerated and did not significantly increase side effects or cardiac risk compared to standard therapy.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateDec 6, 2011

Study suggests flexible workplaces promote better health behavior and well-being

A flexible workplace initiative improved employees' health behavior and well-being by increasing the amount and quality of sleep, better health management, and reducing work-family conflict. Employees participating in the initiative reported significant improvements in sleep quality, energy levels, and self-reported health.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateDec 6, 2011

Baby see, baby do?

Researchers from Concordia University found that infants can differentiate between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources. In a series of experiments, infants were shown to imitate actions from reliable adults more frequently than those from unreliable adults. This study contributes to the understanding of infant cognition and social le...

SourceConcordia University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateDec 6, 2011

UK burden of injury is 2.6 times higher than previously thought

A study published in PLOS Medicine estimated that the absolute burden of injury in the UK is much higher than previously estimated, with 1,771,486 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to injury in 2005. The majority of injuries were unintentional, and home was the most frequent location of injury.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 6, 2011

Random noise helps make signals clearer

A new model shows that stochastic resonance occurs when the potential has sufficiently steep walls, but breaks down otherwise. This phenomenon could contribute to improving image resolution and understanding of biological systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 6, 2011

Study of Yellowstone wolves improves ability to predict their responses to environmental changes

Researchers tracked wolf characteristics in Yellowstone National Park from 1998 to 2009, finding that some traits are related to population ecology, while others are genetically determined. The study developed a new model to predict wolf responses to environmental conditions, which suggests that mean environmental changes impact wolf p...

Scientists discover how brain corrects bumps to body

Researchers identified the primary motor cortex as the key brain area responsible for correcting movement after external knocks, which may help explain why some stroke patients improve while others remain uncoordinated. This finding could support first-stage sensory rehabilitation to rebuild pathways and improve movement skills.

SourceQueen's University·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2011

Follow-up of 100,000 women in over 100 breast cancer trials shows chemotherapy reduces breast cancer mortality by a third

A meta-analysis of 123 randomised trials involving 100,000 women with breast cancer shows that modern chemotherapy regimens reduce breast cancer mortality by around one-third compared to no chemotherapy. The findings suggest that standard 1980s chemotherapy regimens could produce a reduction of almost a quarter in breast cancer mortality.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 5, 2011

Researchers at GIS develop systematic approach for accurate DNA sequence reconstruction

Researchers at GIS developed a systematic approach for accurate DNA sequence reconstruction using the Opera algorithm, providing a quality guarantee and scaling to large datasets. This breakthrough enables more complete and accurate draft genomes, driving genetic studies of organisms of interest for human health and other areas.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalJournal of Computational Biology·DateDec 5, 2011

Dust storms affect subsequent emergency hospital admissions

A new study found that dust storms significantly increase the risk of hospital illnesses for respiratory illness, especially in patients with COPD. The study showed a 5% increase in risk 2 days after a dust storm episode, highlighting the need for timely warnings to avoid air pollution exposure.

SourceWiley·JournalRespirology·DateDec 5, 2011

A more ethical way to compare epilepsy treatments

A new research methodology demonstrates that converting patients from one anti-epileptic drug to another is well-tolerated, effective and safe. The study shows that using historical control groups instead of traditional control groups can address ethical concerns in clinical trials.

SourceSpringer·JournalNeurotherapeutics·DateDec 5, 2011

Old recipe making a come back

Baltic scientists have reinvented the centuries-old sourdough bread-making technique, which was used in ancient times, to meet the needs of the modern food industry. The project FERMFOOD found ways to deliver a better flavor, texture and longer shelf life while maintaining dietary fiber and reducing additives.

SourceEUREKA·DateDec 5, 2011

Defensive measures: Toward a vaccine for Ebola

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a plant-derived vaccine for Ebola that provided strong immunological protection in a mouse model. The vaccine uses a DNA blueprint to convert tobacco plants into living pharmaceutical factories, producing a vaccine molecule that can be easily purified and administered.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2011