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Science News Archive January 2011 - Page 12


Page 12 of 22

Few surgeons seek help for suicidal thoughts

A recent study found that up to 16% of surgeons reported suicidal thoughts in the past year, despite depression being a common link. Burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization were also strongly associated with suicidal ideation.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateJan 17, 2011

Activation of PPAR α/γ mediates remote IPC against myocardial infarction

Researchers have identified PPAR alpha and gamma as key signaling elements in remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC), a powerful form of cardioprotection that can reduce myocardial infarct size by up to 50%. The activation of these nuclear receptors is linked to the production of nitric oxide, a well-established preconditioning-mimetic.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateJan 17, 2011

Reducing diet early in pregnancy stunts fetal brain development

A study found that moderate decreases in maternal nutrition during early pregnancy impaired fetal brain development, including decreased cell-to-cell connections and growth factors. The research uses a nonhuman primate model to demonstrate the importance of good maternal health and diet on fetal development.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2011

Health care reform can help align preventive care recommendations with Medicare coverage

A UCLA-led study finds that health care reform can improve coordination between assessing disease risk and providing appropriate tests and follow-up medical services. The law expanded coverage for an annual wellness visit, which includes assessing risk for disease and developing a personalized prevention plan.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 17, 2011

Aberrations in adipose tissue could increase risk of diabetes in PCOS

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have aberrations in their fat tissue that can lead to insulin resistance and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, found that large fat cells and low levels of adiponectin are strongly associated with ins...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 17, 2011

Better than the human eye

Researchers developed a curvilinear camera with adjustable zoom capability inspired by the human eye. The camera combines simplicity and versatility, enabling applications in night-vision surveillance, robotic vision, endoscopic imaging and consumer electronics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2011

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

African American patients with hypertension who viewed stories about real patients experienced better blood pressure control compared to usual care. High-volume hospitals for congestive heart failure showed improved patient outcomes but higher costs, contradicting previous studies that only focused on cost-effectiveness.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 17, 2011

Massive endocytosis in cells

Scientists identified a previously unknown mechanism for massive endocytosis (MEND) in cells, where up to 75% of the cell plasma membrane can be reversibly engulfed. MEND preferentially targets low-ordered, cholesterol-containing membrane domains.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateJan 17, 2011

Beating the competition

A new connection can significantly enhance the size of a network, according to researchers from Max Planck Institute. By tracing link by link, scientists found that after a certain number of new links, a sudden growth spurt occurs, leading to a dramatic increase in network size.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 17, 2011

High birth weight in First Nations babies linked to a higher risk of postneonatal death

A Canadian study found that high birth weight among First Nations babies is associated with a significantly higher risk of postneonatal death. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, compared over 5,000 births to First Nations mothers to over 630,000 births to French-speaking women.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 17, 2011

Farther and farther apart

A new study reveals that people's spatial memory biases develop as they become more familiar with a particular area. As individuals better understand the relationship between buildings on a campus, they tend to exaggerate distances and create cognitive biases.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateJan 17, 2011

Beyond improving Parkinson's symptoms, does deep brain stimulation stall their progression?

A new study by Michele Tagliati and colleagues found that patients with deep brain stimulation experienced no significant progression of motor symptoms over five years. The research suggests that the therapy may actually stabilize these symptoms, challenging previous assumptions about Parkinson's disease progression.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalInternational Journal of Neuroscience·DateJan 17, 2011

Sleep evaluation may help identify kids at risk for respiratory complications after tonsil surgery

A study found that preoperative polysomnography can predict adverse respiratory events after pediatric adenotonsillectomy, with patients experiencing higher apnea-hypopnea index and lower nadir oxygen saturation. The study also identified a higher body mass index in patients who experienced complications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJan 17, 2011

Essential oil pill prevents PMS

A study published in BMC's Reproductive Health journal found that a pill containing essential oils significantly reduced premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Women taking the supplement reported eased PMS symptoms at 3 and 6 months, with few adverse events recorded.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalReproductive Health·DateJan 16, 2011

Big breakfast bunkum

A new study published in Nutrition Journal found that consuming a large breakfast does not lead to increased calorie burn throughout the day. In fact, researchers discovered that individuals who had bigger breakfasts tended to consume fewer calories during lunch and dinner, offsetting the extra calories consumed at breakfast.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalNutrition Journal·DateJan 16, 2011