Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2011 - Page 3


Page 3 of 22

The end of our national health service

The Lancet Editorial warns that the UK government's Health and Social Care Bill will fundamentally change the National Health Service (NHS), shifting from a national to individualized care model. The proposed reforms have sparked fears about patient outcomes, access to healthcare, and the overall future of the NHS.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 27, 2011

'Catch-up' growth signals revealed

Scientists at the University of Michigan have identified a crucial biochemical pathway involved in catch-up growth, which is triggered by changes in oxygen levels. The research has implications for understanding why babies who experience catch-up growth are at higher risk for later life health problems.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalDevelopment·DateJan 27, 2011

Wiley-Blackwell announces partnership with the Wildlife Society

The partnership will bring new benefits to members, including an online-only relaunch of the Wildlife Society Bulletin. Wiley-Blackwell's diverse publication portfolio and global reach make them a natural fit for publishing The Journal of Wildlife Management and Wildlife Monographs.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Wildlife Management·DateJan 27, 2011

Staying 1 strep ahead

Researchers sequenced 240 samples to understand how S. pneumoniae bacteria evolves and adapts genetically in response to human interventions, revealing patterns of adaptation and spread of a drug-resistant lineage. The study suggests that knowing the enemy better could improve infection control measures.

Men more likely to stick with girlfriends who sleep with other women than other men

A recent study from the University of Texas at Austin found that men are more than twice as likely to continue dating a girlfriend who has cheated on them with another woman. In contrast, women show the opposite pattern and are more likely to stay in relationships following a man's infidelity. The researchers suggest that this disparit...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateJan 27, 2011

Bacteria possible cause of preterm births

Research suggests that specific bacteria in the placenta during pregnancy may contribute to preterm birth and inflammatory responses. Placentas colonized by bacteria commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis showed elevated pro-inflammatory proteins in newborns, while those colonized by Lactobacillus species had lower levels.

AGU journal highlights -- Jan. 27, 2011

Recent research reveals significant changes in China's lakes over the past several decades, with a decline in lake surface area and number, and creation of new lakes. Climate change and human activity are contributing factors, highlighting the need for more detailed regional studies to confirm these observations.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 27, 2011

Baby bliss?

A Norwegian study found that mothers' satisfaction with their relationship during pregnancy is a strong predictor of overall satisfaction, peaking at 6 months old. However, both forms of satisfaction decline over time during infancy and toddlerhood.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateJan 27, 2011

How spring-loaded filaree seeds self launch

Researchers discovered that filaree seeds have a spring mechanism that stores energy in their dry awns, which act as springs to launch the seeds by up to 0.5m. This unique mechanism allows the seeds to drill into the ground and germinate, contributing to the plant's success.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 27, 2011

Disparities in physician demographics linked to patient disparities

A recent study found significant disparities between the race of kidney disease patients and physicians who care for them. Increasing diversity among kidney specialists could improve patient trust and care. Recruiting more African Americans into nephrology training programs may alleviate health disparities in ESRD patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 27, 2011

Memory training explored as strategy for addiction treatment

A study found that memory training can decrease delay discounting in stimulant addicts, which is the tendency to choose short-term rewards over long-term benefits. The researchers believe this could lead to improved rehabilitating brain function and potential therapeutic strategies for addiction treatment.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 27, 2011

Fostamatinib proven to be safe but not effective

In a phase II trial, fostamatinib disodium, an oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, failed to demonstrate efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had not responded to biologic agents. However, the drug was found to be safe and showed promise in subgroups of patients with elevated C-reactive protein levels.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJan 27, 2011

Report offers solutions to address decline in US dental faculty

A new report by Indiana University School of Dentistry calls for quick and creative solutions to address the decline in US dental faculty. The report cites widening pay gaps between private practice dentists and clinical professors as a factor in fewer dentists committing to careers in teaching. To reverse the trend, the report recomme...

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Dental Education·DateJan 27, 2011

Infants ascribe social dominance to larger individuals

Research by Harvard University psychologists suggests that infants may be born with an understanding of social hierarchy based on physical size, which helps them navigate their social environment. Infants as young as 8-10 months old demonstrated surprise at depictions of a larger individual yielding to a smaller one.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJan 27, 2011

Weighing the costs of disaster

A new report reviews the psychological effects of disasters, finding that less than 30% of adults experience severe, lasting problems, while most people recover from passing distress. Factors influencing recovery include age, socioeconomic status, and economic resources.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateJan 27, 2011

New findings show how bacteria undergo genome evolution

Scientists have discovered that bacterial and archaea microbes primarily acquire new genes through horizontal gene transfer, a process responsible for the diversification of protein families. This study highlights the importance of this process in microbial evolution and its role in shaping the biochemical diversity of life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 27, 2011

Researchers identify biomarkers of poor outcomes in preemies

A study by Dr. Ardythe Morrow at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that preterm infants with a specific genetic variant (FUT2) are more likely to experience bad outcomes, including death and sepsis. The researchers identified a link between low levels of 'H antigen' in saliva and increased risk of disease progression.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJan 27, 2011