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Science News Archive December 2011 - Page 6


Page 6 of 23

Knee pain common complaint in middle-aged and mature women

A 12-year longitudinal study found that 63% of women aged 50 and older reported persistent knee pain, with predictors including higher BMI and radiographic osteoarthritis. The study's findings confirm variable pain patterns and highlight the need for targeted treatment options.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateDec 19, 2011

Eating less keeps the brain young

Italian scientists at Catholic University of Rome discovered a molecule called CREB1 triggered by low-calorie diets, activating genes linked to longevity and brain functioning. Caloric restriction has been shown to extend life and prevent brain diseases in mice.

SourceCatholic University of Rome·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2011

New predictor of heart attack or stroke

A new study from Northwestern University finds that a significant increase in blood pressure during middle age increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Maintaining low blood pressure early on can reduce this risk, with those who keep their blood pressure low having a significantly lower risk.

Plant-eating dinosaur discovered in Antarctica

A team of scientists discovered a sauropod dinosaur remains in Antarctica, suggesting the species may have been more widespread than previously thought. The finding improves our knowledge of the dinosaurian faunas during the Late Cretaceous period on this continent.

Abolish the criminalization of HIV

The Canadian Medical Association Journal article argues that routine HIV disclosure prosecutions are unnecessary and harmful. With highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the transmission of HIV from treated individuals is now extremely low, making criminal prosecution ineffective in preventing infection.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateDec 19, 2011

Location, location, location: Economists document key role of spatial component in economic growth

A new study from the Consortium on Financial Systems and Poverty examines the role of spatial component in economic growth. The findings show that a high concentration of enterprise in an area predicts high subsequent growth, while entrepreneurial activity decreases with distance from centers of economic concentration.

SourceConsortium on Financial Systems & Poverty·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateDec 19, 2011

Algal protein gives boost to electrochemical water splitting

Researchers have successfully created a nano-bio PEC electrode, consisting of iron oxide conjugated with a protein from blue-green algae, which is twice as efficient in water splitting as iron oxide alone. The use of phycocyanin, a light-harvesting protein, improves the electrode's ability to absorb photons and generate photocurrent.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advocates for expanded nutritional coverage under Medicare

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends expanding Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services, which demonstrate significant health benefits and cost-effectiveness. MNT can help manage chronic conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, and cancer, and improve quality of life.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateDec 19, 2011

Bone marrow-derived cells differentiate in the brain through mechanisms of plasticity

Researchers have found that bone marrow-derived stem cells can contribute to various neural cell types in different areas of the brain, including the olfactory bulb, through mechanisms of plasticity. This discovery suggests a new potential for using these cells for repairing damaged brain tissue and restoring lost neural function.

Wayne State study finds soybean compounds enhances effects of cancer radiotherapy

A Wayne State University study shows that soybean compounds can make radiation treatment of lung cancer more effective while helping to preserve normal tissue. The compounds, known as isoflavones, block DNA repair mechanisms and molecular survival pathways in cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to ionizing radiation.

UCF nanotechnology may speed up drug testing

Researchers at UCF developed a novel quantum dot probe that quickly detects and tracks cancer cells, speeding up the effectiveness of cancer treatments. This breakthrough technique uses electronic probes to emit a signal when attached to cancer cells, allowing for rapid imaging and measurement of treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 19, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 19, 2011

A team of researchers found that raising levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in mice stimulated primary tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting potential risks for humans. EET antagonists may provide a new approach to preventing and treating cancer-related metastasis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 19, 2011

New Geology science posted online Dec. 8-16 2011

The article discusses the discovery of missing mid-Cenozoic sediments in the Lomonosov Ridge drilling, the variation in the Intertropical Convergence Zone's (ITCZ) position with global climate changes, and the decoupling of taxonomic and ecological severities of major mass extinctions. The ITCZ's position was more southward than today ...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateDec 16, 2011