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Science News for June 10, 2011


Venice to suffer fewer storm surges

A study by CSIRO Australia found that the frequency of extreme storm surge events generated by Adriatic Sea tempests could fall by about 30 percent by 2100. This reduction in extreme events may have beneficial consequences for the conservation of Venice, a World Heritage-listed city built on 117 small islands.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalClimatic Change·DateJun 10, 2011

3-D movie shows, for the first time, what happens in the brain as it loses consciousness

Researchers have created a 3-D movie of brain activity while an individual loses consciousness, revealing a change in electrical activity and communication between brain cells. The findings support a hypothesis that consciousness is formed by neural assemblies, which work efficiently together or not, depending on sensory stimulations.

Analysis finds mortality from all causes higher among hepatitis C-infected

A new analysis found mortality from all causes to be higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, compared mortality rates among 9,378 adults with and without hepatitis C and found a two-fold increased risk of death from both liver- and non-liver related causes.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJun 10, 2011

Two isolates from E. coli outbreak available

Researchers have sequenced two isolates from an E. coli outbreak, providing valuable genomic information to aid in understanding the origins of highly pathogenic strains. The genome annotations reveal unique islands and proteins that may hold clues to virulence or intervention strategies for the new strains.

'1-stop' clinic ups mental health, social work visits for veterans

A study found that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who visited a VA integrated care clinic were more likely to undergo initial mental health and social work evaluations than those visiting standard clinics. The integrated care model increased the rate of initial mental health evaluations, especially for women veterans, younger veterans, ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 10, 2011

Non-invasive ventilation as a weaning or rescue technique may cut risks in some patients

A study found that non-invasive ventilation used as a weaning technique can shorten intubation time and reduce the risk of post-extubation acute respiratory failure. Additionally, NIV used as a rescue therapy significantly reduces the risk of reintubation and death in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 10, 2011

Clever tool use in parrots and crows

Researchers investigated problem-solving abilities and innovative capacities of kea and New Caledonian crow. The studies revealed that both species employ various tools to achieve food rewards, with the kea mastering compact object tools and the crow using elongated objects like sticks to probe for grubs.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 10, 2011

Can small loans reduce poverty?

A recent study by Yale University economists found that microloans can increase ability to cope with risk and strengthen community ties, but may not lead to increased investment in businesses. The researchers also discovered that awardees' subjective well-being slightly declined, contradicting previous claims.