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Science News for March 8, 2011


IRBs could use pre-clinical data better

Researchers argue that IRBs often neglect reporting and methodological quality in preclinical experiments, leading to inadequate risk-benefit assessments. A proposed solution suggests considering evidence on risks and benefits of agents targeting related biological pathways.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 8, 2011

A more definitive test for a common sexually transmitted infection

A study from Rhode Island Hospital found a new test for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) to be more accurate, detecting 100% true positives with no false positives. The test was found to be prevalent in women aged 36-45 and 51-60, indicating the need for routine screening for this common sexually transmitted infection.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateMar 8, 2011

The science behind the cape

Physiologist E. Paul Zehr uses Batman as a framework to discuss exercise and physical training, illustrating how the body responds to physical discipline. His approach connects science to popular culture, helping students understand physiology better.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalAJP Advances in Physiology Education·DateMar 8, 2011

How can robots get our attention?

A team of researchers has successfully programmed a robot to understand when it gains a human's attention and when it falls short. Using social cues, the robot achieves close to 80% accuracy in detecting whether someone is paying attention or ignoring it. The findings could pave the way for robots to engage with humans more effectively.

Study analyzes role of PARP enzyme in eukaryotes

Researchers analyzed evolutionary history of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) superfamily in eukaryotes, finding ancestral proteins with diverse functions. The study suggests that the PARP superfamily is larger than previously documented and will grow as more eukaryotic genomes become available.

SourceOhio Supercomputer Center·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 8, 2011

New instrument for analyzing viruses

Scientists have developed an instrument called PING that can analyze thousands of potential interactions between viruses and human cells. This device detects molecular interactions at a sensitivity 100- to 1,000-time greater than current methods, making it a promising tool for finding new treatments for viral infections.

The safety of daily magnesium oxide treatment for children with chronic constipation

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that daily magnesium oxide treatment significantly increases serum magnesium concentrations in children with functional constipation. However, the magnitude of the increase appears modest, and younger age may be a relative risk factor for hypermagnesemia.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMar 8, 2011

How long does a tuning fork ring?

A team from Vienna and Munich has developed a numerical solver to predict the design-limited damping of mechanical resonators, enabling the creation of more efficient devices. The solver uses quantum mechanics to calculate the radiation of phonons from the resonator, removing the need for trial and error prototype fabrication.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2011

ASGE initiative examines real-time endoscopic assessment of the histology of diminutive colorectal polyps

The ASGE has established guidelines for the use of real-time endoscopic assessment in managing diminutive colorectal polyps. The recommendations aim to minimize risk and delay while improving cost effectiveness of colonoscopy. Diminutive polyps are common, but pathological assessment can be costly and delay patient information.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateMar 8, 2011

Making viruses pass for 'safe'

A team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania has engineered a lentiviral vector that expresses CD47, a protein found on all cells, on its surface. This allows the virus to avoid being detected by the immune system, potentially making it safer for gene therapy and drug delivery.

Internet catches updated butterfly and moth website

The U.S. Geological Survey has launched an updated version of its Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) website, featuring improved data collection and dissemination technologies. Verified sighting records are now immediately available on the site's home page, allowing for more efficient monitoring of pollinator populations.

Identifying 'anonymous' email authors

Researchers at Concordia University have developed a novel technique for identifying anonymous email authors with high accuracy. By analyzing unique patterns in a suspect's emails, they can create a 'write-print' that is like a fingerprint, allowing investigators to determine the author's gender, nationality, and education level.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDigital Investigation·DateMar 8, 2011

Online nutrition courses: Fad or growing trend?

A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that online nutrition education courses can be effective, with students able to gain knowledge and achieve learning outcomes similar to face-to-face learners. However, the study also identified areas for improvement, including the need for more engaging and interactiv...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 8, 2011

Study shows no-till's benefits for Pacific Northwest wheat growers

A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that no-till production systems can significantly reduce soil erosion and enhance efforts to protect water quality. The research compared runoff, soil erosion, and crop yields in conventional and no-till winter wheat-fallow systems.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalJournal of Soil and Water Conservation·DateMar 8, 2011

Research finds open-source software is actually more secure for health care IT

Research by the University of Warwick's Institute for Digital Healthcare and UCL Medical School finds that open-source software can provide higher security and quality through public disclosure and community review. This contradicts the common misconception that open-source software is inherently riskier due to its transparency.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateMar 8, 2011