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Science News Archive June 2011 - Page 11


Page 11 of 28

Serology studies could inform pandemic flu plans

A community cohort study in Hong Kong found more children than adults were infected with H1N1, but children were less likely to progress to severe disease. Serology studies like this one can help estimate rates of severe disease per infection for revised pandemic preparedness plans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 21, 2011

How dense is a cell?

Using Archimedes' principle, MIT scientists have devised a method to measure the density of individual cells, which could provide biophysical insight into fundamental cellular processes. The new device rapidly exchanges fluids, allowing for rapid measurement and potentially screening potential cancer drugs.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 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