Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 20, 2011


'My dishwasher is trying to kill me'

A study found 62% of dishwashers contain fungi on the rubber band in door, including polyextremotolerant black yeasts that can tolerate high temperatures, salt concentrations, and detergents. These extremophilic fungi pose a significant risk to human health due to their potential for causing fatal infections.

SourceElsevier·JournalFungal Biology·DateJun 20, 2011

Acute Hepatitis A evades immune system more effectively than chronic cousin

A new study found that acute Hepatitis A virus is more efficient at evading the host's interferon response, allowing it to linger in the body for almost a year. This discovery undermines current theories on chronic Hepatitis C development and highlights the need for further research into Hepatitis-host interactions.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2011

GPs missing early dementia -- new study

A new study by the University of Leicester found that GPs struggle to identify people in the early stages of dementia, resulting in both missed cases and misidentifications. The research analyzed 15,277 patients with cognitive disorders, identifying a significant number of false positives.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·DateJun 20, 2011

Is coming out always a good thing?

A study published in Social Psychology and Personality Science found that coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual increases emotional well-being, particularly in accepting environments. However, in judgmental contexts, the costs and stigma of identifying as minority outweigh the benefits.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJun 20, 2011

Buzz kills

A study published in Addiction journal finds that even low levels of blood-alcohol content are associated with severe injuries and death. The research suggests that buzzed drivers are more likely to speed, be improperly seat-belted, and drive at greater speeds, leading to increased accident severity.

Gay class tourism

A growing interest in 'chav' culture is being studied among middle-class gay men, revealing complex consumer patterns and challenging traditional notions of gay identity. The research also raises questions about the potential impact on working-class homosexual men.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalSociology·DateJun 20, 2011

Improving LED lighting

Researchers have created a smaller, flexible LED light with improved thermal management and increased life-span. The device uses novel manufacturing techniques to reduce temperature and increase efficiency, making it suitable for various applications such as deformable display monitors and biomedical devices.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2011

New study reveals how the immune system responds to hepatitis A virus

A recent study reveals that hepatitis A virus (HAV) evades the innate immune response more effectively than hepatitis C virus (HCV), which causes chronic infections. The research provides critical insights into the nature of HCV's persistence and highlights the importance of understanding how the body responds to these viruses.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2011

Anti-smoking policies for adults also reduce kids' smoking

A study published in Addiction journal found that comprehensive anti-smoking policies in Australia, particularly those targeting adults, also reduced smoking rates among adolescents. The key to this effect lies in the sustained and well-funded nature of these programs, which directly influence young people's perceptions of smoking.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateJun 20, 2011

Urinary incontinence doubles risk of postpartum depression

A recent study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that urinary incontinence after giving birth doubles a woman's risk of developing postpartum depression. The study, which evaluated nearly 1,900 new mothers, identified five key predictors of postpartum depression, including urinary incontinence.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateJun 20, 2011

Analysis of studies evaluates tonsillectomy techniques

A meta-analysis of studies found that new tonsillectomy techniques, including vessel sealing systems and Harmonic Scalpel, show promise in reducing pain, bleeding, and recovery time compared to traditional methods. However, the optimal technique with lowest morbidity rates remains unclear.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJun 20, 2011

New research on community gardening reveals the roots of emotional and physical health

Research reveals community gardens have numerous benefits, including improved relationships, increased civic involvement, and enhanced neighborhood quality. Gardening daily for just 20 minutes has been shown to boost health ratings, while gardeners report higher rates of moderate exercise and better eating habits.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJun 20, 2011

Need a nap? Find yourself a hammock

Research finds that gently rocking hammocks facilitate faster sleep onset and boost stage N2 sleep duration. The study also discovers a lasting impact on brain activity, increasing slow oscillations and bursts of activity known as sleep spindles.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 20, 2011

Husband's employment status threatens marriage, but wife's does not, study finds

A new study suggests that a woman's employment status does not affect the likelihood of her husband initiating divorce. However, for men, being unemployed significantly increases their chance of leaving the marriage, even if they are relatively happy. This asymmetric change in traditional gender roles implies that societal norms view a...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateJun 20, 2011

Inducing labor is not associated with higher rates of cesarean sections

A new study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica reveals that inducing labor around term does not associate with higher rates of cesarean sections. The research analyzed data from the Danish Birth Registry and found no increased risk for cesarean section among induced women compared to those who waited longer.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateJun 20, 2011

Picower: 1 skull + 2 brains = 4 objects in mind

A study by MIT neuroscientists found that humans have two independent capacities for working memory, rather than one general capacity of four objects. This discovery resolves a long-standing debate in the field and has significant implications for designing more effective cognitive therapy, brain games, and visual displays.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2011

Poorly coordinated care doubled risk of drug and medical errors in 7 countries

An international study of 11,910 patients from 7 countries found that poorly coordinated care and cost-related barriers significantly increased the risk of medication and medical errors. Poorly co-ordinated care was associated with a 110% to 200% increase in errors, while cost-related barriers increased the risk by 50% to 160%.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Practice·DateJun 20, 2011

Fat substitutes linked to weight gain

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that rats on high-fat diets gained more weight after eating low-calorie potato chips made with fat substitutes. The study suggests that relying on fat substitutes for weight loss may not be effective and could even lead to weight gain.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateJun 20, 2011

Unexpected function of dyslexia gene

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet discovered that a gene linked to dyslexia, DCDC2, regulates cilia signaling in brain neurons. This finding presents a possible new neurobiological mechanism for dyslexia and highlights the importance of cilia in cell migration and development.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 20, 2011

Study compares 2 types of botulinum toxin for cosmetic use

A randomized, double-blind study compared the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (onabotulinumtoxinA) and B (abobotulinumtoxinA) in reducing crow's feet wrinkles. AbobotulinumtoxinA was found to produce a greater effect when participants contracted their muscles, but no significant difference was seen at rest. The study suggests that a...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Facial Plastic Surgery·DateJun 20, 2011