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Science News Archive July 2011 - Page 10


Page 10 of 25

E-cigarette or drug delivery device?

Researchers argue that e-cigarettes are crude drug delivery systems for refined nicotine, posing safety concerns due to poor quality control and variability in nicotine content. The devices also have not been sufficiently evaluated in scientific studies, making them ineffective as quitting aids for smokers.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 20, 2011

Positive teens become healthier adults

A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teenagers with high positive well-being had reduced risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviors and reported excellent health in young adulthood. Positive psychological characteristics during adolescence are linked to improved long-term health outcomes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJul 19, 2011

Patients who use anti-depressants are more likely to suffer relapse, researcher finds

A meta-analysis by McMaster researcher Paul Andrews found that patients who have used anti-depressant medications can be nearly twice as susceptible to future episodes of major depression. The study suggests that people who have not been taking any medication are at a 25 per cent risk of relapse, compared to 42 per cent or higher for t...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 19, 2011

Mysterious fossils provide new clues to insect evolution

Scientists uncover ancient fossils of Coxoplectoptera, an insect order that defies classification, offering clues to the evolution of wings and lifestyle. The discovery presents a new hypothesis on the development of insect wings, suggesting they originated from thoracic backplates.

SourceBrill·JournalInsect Systematics & Evolution·DateJul 19, 2011

New mouse model for testing cancer drugs

Researchers developed a new mouse model to test cancer drugs by simulating gene inhibition, preventing rapid cell division in cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. The study published in Nature Communications validates the preclinical relevance and predictive value of the inducible RNAi-based mouse model.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 2011

Falls may be early sign of Alzheimer's

A study found that participants with high levels of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, had twice the typical annual rate of falls for their age group. This suggests that falls may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease in people with preclinical symptoms.

Evolution of the evolutionarily minded

A new framework for the evolutionary analysis of the mind proposes that humans cannot be accurately portrayed as being adapted only to a Stone Age environment due to recent selection of genes. Experimental evidence suggests that humans utilize general learning rules rather than a modular account of cognition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 19, 2011

Quick test to diagnose bacterial or viral infection developed by Ben-Gurion University researchers

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University developed a new test that distinguishes between bacterial and viral infections by measuring chemiluminescence. This timesaving method has predictive diagnostic value and could reduce antibiotic misuse and healthcare costs, as well as provide more accurate treatment.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Analytical Chemistry·DateJul 19, 2011

Painful legacy of teen sports

Research reveals abnormal femur development in young athletes due to high-intensity sports, leading to osteoarthritis and hip deformity. Athletes are ten times more likely to experience impaired hip function than non-athletes.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 19, 2011

How dairy farms contribute to greenhouse gas emissions

Agricultural Research Service scientists monitored emissions from a commercial dairy in southern Idaho, revealing that open-lot pens generate the majority of facility's ammonia, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions. The study provides detailed data on how large-scale dairy facilities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Gradual bone reduction seen in some pill users

A study by Group Health Research Institute found that oral contraceptives can slow down bone gain in young women, especially those taking higher hormone doses. The study measured bone densities in 301 teen and 305 young adult women who used oral contraceptives, compared to similar women who did not use this method.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 19, 2011