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Science News Archive January 2011


Page 1 of 22

Researchers bust bat rabies stereotype

A study by University of Calgary researchers confirms bats are not as disease-ridden as thought, with only one percent of bats infected with rabies regardless of species or location. The study's findings challenge previous estimates and highlight the importance of bats' ecosystem services.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateJan 31, 2011

Moderate aerobic exercise in older adults shown to improve memory

A new study led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain's hippocampus in older adults. The increased hippocampal size is associated with improved spatial memory function. The researchers also discovered a correlation between increased hippoca...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

The changing roles of 2 hemispheres in stroke recovery

A new study sheds light on the complex process of recovery from aphasia after a stroke, finding that inter-hemispheric coordination plays a crucial role. The research suggests that the involvement of both hemispheres in language functions is not as binary as previously thought.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateJan 31, 2011

Road may disrupt migration, ruin Serengeti, study finds

A new study by University of Guelph professor John Fryxell predicts that building a road through the park would cause a 35% reduction in wildebeest herds, as well as direct and indirect effects on other species and ecosystems. Fragmenting the landscape disrupts movement patterns and forage resources, threatening key ecological processes.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 31, 2011

Free radicals in cornea may contribute to Fuchs dystrophy, most common cause of corneal transplants

Scientists have found that free radicals contribute to the damage in patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD), a hereditary disease impacting nearly four percent of the population over age 60. The discovery holds promise for early and preventative treatments, such as a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and multivitamins.

SourceSchepens Eye Research Institute·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJan 31, 2011

Pitt team grows arteries with most elastic protein reported, big step for living vascular grafts

Pitt researchers have successfully grown arteries with high elasticity using baboon smooth muscle cells, containing 20% of the protein elastin found in natural arteries. The process resembles how it would be used in a patient and has the potential to overcome a major barrier to creating living-tissue replacements for damaged arteries.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

The science of bike-sharing

The new bike-sharing system aims to reduce traffic congestion and alleviate parking shortages, promote fitness, and enable good complementary public transportation. Tel Aviv University's research provides a mathematical model to scientifically manage bike availability, creating a more efficient and user-friendly system.

Navigating the spheres of assisted death

Experts argue that Canada's assisted death laws should be linked to equal access to palliative care, highlighting a need to address the country's inequitable healthcare system. The Canadian Medical Association Journal commentary emphasizes the importance of optimized palliative care before considering legalization.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 31, 2011

Novel immune system-based gene therapy induces strong responses in metastatic melanoma, sarcoma

A novel form of personalized therapy using genetically engineered anti-tumor immune cells shows promising results in treating metastatic melanoma and synovial cell sarcoma. The technique, called adoptive immunotherapy, resulted in response rates of 45% and 67% in malignant melanoma and synovial cell sarcoma patients, respectively.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 31, 2011

Newly discovered dinosaur likely father of Triceratops

A newly discovered species, Titanoceratops, has been identified as the earliest known member of its family, with an estimated weight of nearly 15,000 pounds and a massive eight-foot-long skull. The discovery suggests that the triceratopsian family evolved over five million years earlier than previously thought.

SourceYale University·JournalCretaceous Research·DateJan 31, 2011

Ants' ecosystem role is 'key'

Research by the University of Exeter reveals that ants have a significant impact on their environment as ecosystem engineers and predators. The study found that ants can increase diversity and density of other animal groups at low densities, but higher densities counteract this effect through increased predation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJan 31, 2011

Pakistan floods last summer could have been predicted

A new scientific study confirms that computer models at a European weather-forecasting center gave clear indications of the impending floods in Pakistan last July. The researchers found that if the information had been processed, forecasters could have predicted extremely accurate rainfall totals and even prevented some flooding.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 31, 2011

Super Bowl losses can increase cardiac death

A new study found that Super Bowl losses are associated with increased cardiac death rates, particularly among older patients. The research revealed a 15% increase in circulatory deaths in men and a 27% increase in women following the loss.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical Cardiology·DateJan 31, 2011

Boys will infect boys, swine flu study shows

Researchers from Imperial College London found that children are about three times more likely to transmit flu to those of the same gender. The study also showed that sitting next to an infected person does not significantly increase a child's risk of catching flu. This comprehensive analysis will help make more accurate models for pre...

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

Study reveals effective anti-HIV drugs for starting treatment in children with HIV, and shows that delaying switching to second-line drugs does not affect long-term benefit

A new study found that protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are equally effective as initial treatment for children with HIV, delaying switch to second-line drugs does not impact long-term outcomes. Regular monitoring of viral load is crucial to prevent resistance.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 31, 2011