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Science News for July 4, 2011


In homes with substantiated child abuse reports, study identifies groups at higher risk for reabuse

A study found that children who remain in the home after a report of abuse are at increased risk of further abuse if they have certain characteristics, such as behavior problems and developmental disabilities. The study identified groupings of characteristics that increase or decrease the likelihood of reabuse.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJul 4, 2011

More than 1 in 10 chance of colder UK winters

New research predicts that UK winters will become colder due to low solar activity, with a 10% chance of returning to Maunder minimum conditions within 50 years. This could lead to an average winter temperature below 2.5°C, with implications for national infrastructure planning.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 4, 2011

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that massage therapy is more effective than usual medical interventions for improving pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain. The researchers also suggest that relaxation massage may have a slight advantage over structural massage due to its wider availability.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 4, 2011

Patients with eating disorders have an elevated rate of death

A meta-analysis of previous studies found that patients with eating disorders have an elevated rate of death, especially those with anorexia nervosa. The study also highlighted the seriousness of bulimia nervosa and disordered eating not otherwise specified, which are often overlooked due to limited published data.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateJul 4, 2011

Study shows answers for treating obesity-related diseases may reside in fat tissue

A study by Boston University School of Medicine shows that the quality of fat tissue, not just its quantity, contributes to inflammation and vascular disease in obese individuals. The research identified that 30% of obese subjects demonstrated reduced fat inflammation, less insulin resistance, and similar vascular function.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJul 4, 2011

The forces of attraction: How cells change direction

A team of researchers developed a novel technique to study how cells respond to changing concentrations of chemoattractants. The study reveals two ways cells can reorient in response to changes, and provides insights into the underlying signaling pathways that control chemotaxis. The research has clinical significance for embryonic dev...

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2011

Crucial role for molecule in muscle development

A recent study published in PNAS reveals that a specific microRNA, miR-206, plays a pivotal role in normal muscle development during embryonic stages. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the maintenance and regeneration of healthy muscle tissue, particularly in diseases such as muscular dystrophy and cancer.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2011

Length of parental military deployment associated with children's mental health diagnoses

A study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that children whose parents were deployed for longer periods had a higher likelihood of receiving a mental health diagnosis. The researchers analyzed data from over 307,000 children and found that the length of parental deployment was significantly associated wit...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJul 4, 2011

Body's natural marijuana-like chemicals make fatty foods hard to resist

Researchers discovered that when rats tasted fatty foods, cells in their upper gut produced endocannabinoids, triggering a surge in cell signaling that prompts overeating. The study suggests that obstructing endocannabinoid activity may curb this tendency, offering new potential treatments for obesity and related diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2011

Most of world's 'missing species' live in known hotspots

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that most of the world's undiscovered species reside in regions already identified as conservation priorities. This suggests recent conservation efforts have been effective and should reduce uncertainty over global conservation priorities.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2011