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Science News for January 7, 2011


Grape ingredient resveratrol increases beneficial fat hormone

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone with wide-ranging benefits for obesity-related medical complications. This discovery provides important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for these diseases.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 7, 2011

Most consumers want predictive tests to learn if a disease is in their future

A national survey found that 76% of people would take a predictive test to learn about their future health risks, with willingness to pay varying by disease type and accuracy. Respondents were more likely to pay for tests related to breast and prostate cancer, and were willing to alter lifestyle choices after receiving positive results.

More than 3,000 survivors of the WTC attacks experience long-term post-traumatic stress disorder

Researchers found that nearly 95.6% of 3,271 civilian WTC survivors reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and 15% screened positive for PTSD two years after the disaster. The study identified five predictors of PTSD: late evacuation initiation, high floor exposure, dust cloud exposure, personal horror, and employer fatalities.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJan 7, 2011

A pesky bacterial slime reveals its survival secrets

Scientists at Harvard University have made a groundbreaking discovery about biofilm colonies, which exhibit an unprecedented ability to repel liquids and vapors. The researchers believe that the secret to their resiliency lies in their unique liquid-repellent surface.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2011

Evidence lacking for widespread use of costly antipsychotic drugs, says Stanford researcher

A new study by Stanford researchers found that many prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic medications lack strong evidence, yet these drugs can cause serious side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. The study also identified a significant amount of off-label use, with $6 billion spent on such prescriptions in 2008.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety·DateJan 7, 2011

Bendy tubes get around

Rice University researchers settle a long-standing controversy in polymer dynamics by proving that flexibility enhances the mobility of stiff filaments. The study shows that nanotubes and other fine filaments can navigate through crowded environments and fixed networks with ease, paving the way for new sensing technologies.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2011

Link between signaling molecules could point way to therapies for epilepsy, stroke, other diseases

Scientists from UT Health Science Center San Antonio discovered a relationship between phosphoinositide kinases and calcium ions in nerve cells, which could lead to treatments for neurological disorders. The study's findings have implications for epilepsy, stroke, dementia, hypertension, mental illness, and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 7, 2011

Blame the 'chaperone'

A Jackson Laboratory research team has identified a mutation in a gene essential for correct protein-processing, which disrupts cellular development and growth. The study found that defects in the chaperone proteins lead to photoreceptor degeneration, central nervous system abnormalities, and male infertility.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 7, 2011