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Science News for June 7, 2011


USC: Active social, spiritual and physical life helps prevent health decline in seniors

A USC study shows that small, daily changes to a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve quality of life for seniors. The trial involved over 200 participants aged 60+, who made sustainable changes such as visiting museums or taking public transportation, resulting in lower rates of depression and improved overall well-being.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJun 7, 2011

Using magnets to help prevent heart attacks

Researchers at Temple University discovered that a magnetic field can reduce blood viscosity by 20-30%, posing a potential new way to prevent heart attacks. By polarizing red blood cells and streamlining their movement, the magnetic field decreases friction against blood vessel walls.

SourceTemple University·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJun 7, 2011

Study links insulin action on brain's reward circuitry to obesity

Researchers have found that insulin directly affects the brain's reward circuitry, leading to increased food intake and obesity in mice. This study suggests that insulin resistance may contribute to the difficulty in managing weight loss. Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these findings.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 7, 2011

Apple peel makes mice mighty

Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for muscle wasting disorders using a compound found in apple peel called ursolic acid. The study found that ursolic acid promoted muscle growth and reduced muscle atrophy in mice, while also lowering body fat, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 7, 2011

Apple ingredient keeps muscles strong

Researchers identified a natural compound in apple peels as a promising new treatment for muscle wasting. Ursolic acid enhanced insulin signaling and corrected gene signatures linked to atrophy, promoting muscle growth and reducing blood levels of glucose and cholesterol.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 7, 2011

No such thing as a red or blue state

A recent study by Brigham Young University and University of Pennsylvania researchers suggests that citizens from red states are more likely to be liberal on economic and social issues than previously thought. The study found common ground between voters in red and blue states, particularly on social policy.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly·DateJun 7, 2011

The pill does not lead to weight gain

A long-term study of 1,749 women found no link between taking the combined contraceptive pill and weight gain. Women who took the pill did not put on more weight than their peers who never took it, with ageing and smoking being the only factors affecting weight.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateJun 7, 2011

Overweight more harmful to the liver than alcohol in middle-aged men

A new study found that overweight men are at a significantly higher risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver compared to those who drink heavily. The research followed 855 men for up to 40 years and discovered that both excess weight and high levels of blood fats increased liver damage, while alcohol's link was not statistically proven.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJun 7, 2011

Mapping anemia risk in preschool-age children in West Africa

Researchers mapped anemia risk in preschool-age children in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Mali using national cross-sectional surveys. The maps indicate the geographical risk profile of anemia, allowing for targeted control measures such as nutrient supplements and fortified foods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 7, 2011

Bursitis a common cause of painful hips, knees, heels and elbows

Bursitis is a common cause of musculoskeletal pain affecting the hips, knees, heels, and elbows. The condition can be managed with simple nonsurgical techniques such as ice packs, compressive dressings, activity modification, and corticosteroid injections. Surgery may be required in cases where symptoms persist or infection is involved.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateJun 7, 2011

First of its kind study conducted by BUSM finds women as resilient to combat stress as men

A groundbreaking study published in Journal of Abnormal Psychology suggests female military service-members are equally resilient to combat-related stress as men. The research, conducted by Boston University School of Medicine, analyzed the mental health of veterans returning from deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateJun 7, 2011

Researchers find that inhibiting microRNAs may help prevent degenerative eye disorders

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that blocking two specific RNA molecules can suppress abnormal blood vessel growth in degenerative eye disorders. This finding suggests a potential strategy to treat age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness among older people.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2011

Cash talks when overbooked hotel guests walk

Researchers found that cash-based overcompensation leads to higher satisfaction ratings than industry-standard compensation or voucher-based overcompensation. Participants were most satisfied with a $400 cash bonus, but satisfaction levels did not increase linearly with the amount of cash provided.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research·DateJun 7, 2011

Air quality worsened by paved surfaces

A new study suggests that widespread urban development can lead to reduced nighttime winds and increased air pollution in coastal cities. Researchers found that paved surfaces absorb heat, reducing the temperature contrast between land and sea, and causing stagnation. This can result in a buildup of pollutants during warm summer weather.

Coseasonality of influenza and invasive pneumococcal disease

A study found that infection with influenza likely increases the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Influenza infection may increase the short-term risk of bacterial invasion in individuals already colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes IPD. This suggests that some cases of IPD could be attributable to inf...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 7, 2011

UK Government plans for mentally ill prisoners are unrealistic, research suggests

Research suggests that UK government plans to divert mentally ill prisoners into mental health services are unlikely to succeed due to a lack of suitable facilities. The study found that only a small percentage of psychotic prisoners receive treatment, and those who do often face significant barriers to follow-up care after release.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalInternational Journal of Law and Psychiatry·DateJun 7, 2011

Dolphins use double sonar

Researchers have discovered that dolphins can generate two sound beam projections simultaneously, each with different frequencies and directions. This ability could help dolphins locate objects more accurately, according to Dr. Josefin Starkhammar, who led the study published in Biology Letters.

SourceLund University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 7, 2011

Bacteria on old-growth trees may help forests grow

A new study reveals that bacteria living in mosses on tree branches contribute to nutrient dynamics, sustaining the long-term productivity of coastal temperate rainforests. Large, ancient trees provide habitat for mosses and cyanobacteria, which fix nitrogen and fertilize the forest.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPlant and Soil·DateJun 7, 2011

Women warriors show resilience similar to men

A recent study found that women veterans of US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced similar levels of combat-related stress and post-deployment mental health impacts as their male counterparts. The research, based on survey responses from 595 service members, suggests that women's exposure to combat stress may be only slightly lowe...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateJun 7, 2011

Protein folding made easy

Developing better modeling techniques for protein folding is vital to creating effective pharmaceutical treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new algorithm can predict protein folding in 10 minutes on a laptop, improving upon classical methods that required hundreds of thousands of CPU hours.

Dangerous and under the radar

A new report examines the ways to protect sex workers, highlighting the need for decriminalization and policy changes. The study, conducted by Concordia University and University of Windsor researchers, reveals that sex work is increasingly dangerous and unprotected, with many sex workers facing marginalization and violence.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie·DateJun 7, 2011