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Science News Archive July 2011 - Page 8


Page 8 of 25

Chronic pain in homeless people not managed well: Study

A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that nearly half of homeless people with chronic pain use street drugs to treat their condition, highlighting the need for improved approaches to managing chronic pain in this population. The study also highlights the importance of community outreach programs and education for healthcare provider...

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalBMC Family Practice·DateJul 21, 2011

Chromosome number changes in yeast

Researchers found that yeast chromosome complement has decreased in all except one event, a whole genome duplication, where chromosomes fused or broke and recombined. This study sheds light on the evolution of chromosome complements in yeast and other organisms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 21, 2011

'Freaky mouse' defeats common poison

A Rice University study reveals that European house mice have developed resistance to warfarin through two distinct processes: point mutation and horizontal gene transfer. Algerian mice, a desert-dwelling species, are believed to have passed the resistant genome into house mice in Spain or North Africa.

SourceRice University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 21, 2011

Breastfeeding may prevent asthma

Research published in the European Respiratory Journal found that children who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months had a reduced risk of developing asthma-related symptoms. The study also showed that the longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with fewer wheezing episodes.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJul 21, 2011

With secondhand gene, house mice resist poison

Researchers discover house mice acquired warfarin resistance from Algerian mice through interbreeding, highlighting multiple pathways to trait evolution. This unusual process helps explain rodents' ability to resist poison and informs strategies for controlling evolved resistances.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 21, 2011

Targeting toxin trafficking

Researchers discovered that many proteins are required for maximum toxicity of ricin and PE, with differing requirements at multiple levels. Understanding toxin trafficking may lead to designing treatments targeting these toxins and potential synergistic therapies.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 21, 2011

Study suggests obesity accelerates progression of cirrhosis

A recent study found that increased body mass index (BMI) is an independent predictor of clinical decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis. The researchers suggest that weight reduction may improve patient outcomes and that measures to reduce BMI could improve the prognosis for patients with advanced liver disease.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateJul 21, 2011

Chemists create molecular flasks

Chemists have created molecular flasks that can house other molecules, allowing for the isolation of certain chemical reactions and potential control over chemical reactivity. The flasks are self-assembling and take the shape of a truncated octahedron, with the potential to create new materials with unique properties.

INFORMS: CARE positions disaster relief with promising discipline of humanitarian logistics

A team at Georgia Tech developed an operations research model that helped CARE International pick three locations worldwide to supply relief quickly to victims of earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. The model considered capacity constraints and recommended a gradual roll-out plan, enabling CARE to reduce response time, pr...

Blue collar workers work longer and in worse health than their white collar bosses

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that blue collar workers are more likely to suffer from arthritis and reduce their quality of life due to health conditions. The research highlights the need for enhanced federal programs, including disability and health insurance, to support these workers.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 21, 2011

Nanotechnology for water filter

Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a method called "passive sampling" to measure the affinity of contaminants to carbon nanotubes. This method provides reliable results for realistic applications and can remove pollutants from contaminated water, making it a promising technology for water filtration.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 21, 2011

Even privately insured have hard time getting psychiatric care in Massachusetts: Harvard study

A Harvard study reveals that access to outpatient psychiatric care in Massachusetts is severely limited, even for those with private insurance. The researchers found that only a small percentage of facilities listed by the largest insurer offered appointments within two weeks of a simulated patient's call.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 21, 2011

Scavenger cells accomplices to viruses

Cell biologists from the University of Zurich have identified the infection mechanism for type-5 adenoviruses, revealing that viruses use scavenger cells to trigger an immune response and expose shielded receptors on lung epithelial cells. This discovery has implications for both gene therapy and cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 21, 2011

A hot species for cool structures

Scientists have determined the 3D structure of a key cellular component using a heat-loving fungus. By analyzing the genome and proteome of Chaetomium thermophilum, researchers were able to identify the proteins that make up the innermost ring of the nuclear pore, a channel that controls what enters and exits a cell's nucleus.

MS research: Myelin influences how brain cells send signals

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a cell-culture system that mimics the coating of nerve cells with protective myelin, opening up new possibilities for studying multiple sclerosis. The study found that myelin regulates key protein placement and activity in sending electrical signals along hippocampal axons.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 21, 2011

For kids, it's more than just a game

Research by Jean Cæté found that positive youth sports experiences are associated with coaches creating inclusive team environments, assessing individual progress rather than comparison, and providing challenging practices. This fosters initiative, motivation, and citizenship qualities in young players.

SourceQueen's University·JournalThe Sport Psychologist·DateJul 20, 2011

Evolution provides clue to blood clotting

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine used evolutionary clues to reveal how a key clotting protein assembles. They found that two histidines play a crucial role in sensing pH changes and guiding the assembly of von Willebrand Factor, leading to new insights into common bleeding disorders.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 20, 2011

Fantastic Mrs. Fox

A new study by University of Bristol biologists found that mother foxes determine which cubs stay and which leave their family groups, with dominant females playing a crucial role in dispersal strategy. This unique discovery sheds light on the evolution of social behavior in mammals.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 20, 2011

Seeing the S-curve in everything

A new theory by Adrian Bejan, known as the constructal law, predicts the prevalence of S-curves in various fields, including biology, chemistry, and economics. The S-curve pattern is a natural design for flow systems to facilitate access, reducing friction or resistance.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJul 20, 2011

Nevada School of Medicine researcher finds caffeine consumption, female infertility link

Researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine discovered that caffeine inhibits the actions of pacemaker cells in Fallopian tube walls, reducing egg movement and potentially leading to infertility. This finding provides an explanation for why women with high caffeine consumption tend to take longer to conceive.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateJul 20, 2011

Unlisted ingredients in teas and herbal brews revealed in DNA tests by high school students

A study published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports found that many tea and herbal products contain unlisted ingredients, including weeds and plants from various families. The research used DNA barcoding technology to identify unknown species in 70 tea products and 60 herbal products, revealing a total of 25 unexpected ingredients.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 20, 2011