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Science News for March 23, 2011


Rapid etching X-rayed

Researchers at Kiel University developed a method to track atomic-scale changes during etching and coating, revealing uniform metal removal. The technique enabled detection of reactions within milliseconds, providing insights into industrially employed processes.

SourceKiel University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 23, 2011

'Knowing it in your gut' is real

Researchers found that gut bacteria influence how the brain is wired for learning and memory, leading to anxiety-like behavior. The study also suggests that targeting the immune system and gut function could lead to new therapies for psychiatric illnesses.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNeurogastroenterology & Motility·DateMar 23, 2011

Traumatizing your DNA

A Tel Aviv University researcher warns that environmental stressors like pollution and stress can alter gene expression in a way that affects the human genome. This epigenetic inheritance can be passed down to future generations, with potential long-term impacts on health.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·DateMar 23, 2011

The evolution of brain wiring: Navigating to the neocortex

A new study has provided insight into the evolutionary scenario guiding sensory information projections in different species. Researchers discovered that subtle changes in the migration of 'guidepost' neurons underlie major differences in brain connectivity between mammals and nonmammalian vertebrates.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMar 23, 2011

Molecular muscle: Small parts of a big protein play key roles in building tissues

A team at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology found that tiny pieces of a protein called tenascin-C can bind to specific sites on another protein, helping to construct tissue. These small domains may help stop uncontrolled matrix deposition in conditions like fibrosis, making them potential tools for controlling diseases.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 23, 2011

Why salad helps you say yes to 'NO'

Researchers found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it. The study suggests that leafy green diets may benefit vascular health through nitric oxide production.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

Long-term study: Robot-assisted prostate surgery is safe

A study of over 3,000 patients found robot-assisted prostate surgery to be safe, with a low major complication rate and no disease recurrence after five years for nearly 87 percent of patients. The study analyzed surgical outcomes from 2005 to 2009 and addressed the lack of standardized reporting in previous literature.

SourceHenry Ford Health·JournalEuropean Urology·DateMar 23, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: March 23, 2011

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered a new nitric oxide pathway that protects against intimal hyperplasia in rats. The study found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury markedly limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

Trigger found for autoimmune heart attacks

Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have found that a protein called alpha-myosin heavy chain triggers inflammatory heart disease in people with type 1 diabetes. The discovery could lead to diagnostic and therapeutic tools for this condition, which is often fatal.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

Lung cancer study finds mentholated cigarettes no more harmful than regular cigarettes

A large prospective study of black and white smokers found that mentholated cigarettes are associated with a lower lung cancer incidence and fewer lung cancer deaths than regular cigarettes. The researchers also found that menthol smokers reported smoking fewer cigarettes per day, but had similar quit rates as non-menthol smokers.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 23, 2011

Even mild stress is linked to long-term disability

A large population-based study found that even mild stress can lead to long-term disability and an inability to work. Higher levels of stress at the start of the study were associated with a significantly greater likelihood of receiving disability benefits, with up to 70% more likely for those with mild stress.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 23, 2011

Study finds no association between mercury exposure and risk of cardiovascular disease

A large-scale Harvard study of over 51,000 men and 121,700 women found no association between mercury exposure and increased risk of coronary heart disease or stroke. Higher levels of mercury exposure were actually linked to lower cardiovascular disease risk, likely due to beneficial effects of fish consumption.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 23, 2011

Earning its stripes

A new gene called SETDB1 has been found to promote melanoma growth and invasion in a zebrafish model. The researchers also discovered that SETDB1 is present at high levels in 70% of human melanoma samples, suggesting its potential role in the formation of most cases.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature·DateMar 23, 2011

When T cells attack: Insight into the mechanism of myocarditis

Researchers discovered that autoimmune disease myocarditis occurs when immune system targets heart muscle cells expressing alpha myosin, a protein required for contraction. Preventing the disease involves exposing T cells to alpha myosin in thymus, suggesting measurement of alpha-myosin as diagnostic tool and potential therapeutic target

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

Research brings habitat models into the future

Researchers at Michigan State University have created innovative computer models that can accurately monitor changes in wildlife habitats over time. These models utilize remote sensing technology and can be used to track various changes, including the effects of human activities on habitat quality.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateMar 23, 2011

What's mine is virtually yours

A study by University of Bristol academics found that virtual MIMO technology can increase data capacity by up to 50% but also makes things worse for some users in certain scenarios. The researchers propose metrics to determine when to use this technology, highlighting the need for careful design and intelligence in the network.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalIEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation·DateMar 23, 2011

New way to detect epileptic seizures

Researchers at Concordia University have developed a novel algorithm to detect epileptic seizures in real-time, analyzing EEG recordings of patients' brains. The new method has been shown to be highly accurate, detecting every seizure while scoring extremely low false positives rates, and may have applications beyond epilepsy.