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Science News Archive March 2011 - Page 22


Page 22 of 28

Jefferson study shows physician's empathy directly associated with positive clinical outcomes

A landmark study by Thomas Jefferson University researchers found a direct association between physicians' empathy and their patients' positive clinical outcomes. The study, published in Academic Medicine, suggests that empathic engagement in patient care contributes to better treatment adherence and more desirable clinical results.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateMar 7, 2011

People would rather let bad things happen than cause them, especially if someone is watching

A new study suggests that people are more likely to allow something bad to happen rather than causing it, especially if they know someone will judge them. The researchers found that participants were more willing to let a timer run out, resulting in less money for themselves, when they knew someone was watching and would penalize them.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 7, 2011

Text messaging helps smokers break the habit

Researchers found that text messaging is at least as effective as handheld devices in measuring smoking urges and resisting cravings, with tailored interventions tailored to individuals' response-inhibition capacities. The study also identified key brain regions involved in response inhibition.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 7, 2011

Increased, mandatory screenings help identify more kids with emotional/behavioral problems

A new court-ordered mental health screening program led to a significant increase in children being identified as behaviorally and emotionally at risk. The number of screens completed and referrals for mental health evaluations also increased, highlighting the importance of routine screening in identifying childhood psychosocial issues.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateMar 7, 2011

Helicobacter pylori infection linked to decreased iron levels in otherwise healthy children, according to research at UTHealth

Researchers at UTHealth discovered that children with asymptomatic H. pylori infections have lower iron levels compared to those without the infection. The study found that even in healthy children, the bacterium causes a decrease in iron storage, which may have long-term health consequences.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·DateMar 7, 2011

Sleepy connected Americans

A National Sleep Foundation poll found that 43% of Americans report rarely getting a good night's sleep on weeknights due to pervasive technology use before bedtime. The study highlights the impact of screens and interactive technologies on sleep habits, particularly in younger generations.

Flipping a switch on neuron activity

Researchers at the University of California and Germany have developed light-sensing modules to attach to neuronal molecules, allowing for real-time study of complex cascades. This breakthrough enables selective activation of individual classes of molecules, paving the way for new treatments for vision impairments.

The underemployed -- increasing and overlooked

A study by University of Nevada, Reno researchers finds that underemployment is a complex phenomenon with broad effects on individuals, organizations, and society. The study identifies eight dimensions of underemployment, affecting up to one in three employees, with difficult situations like the recession leading to its occurrence.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalJournal of Management·DateMar 7, 2011

You are what your mother ate

Poor diet during pregnancy increases offspring's vulnerability to aging effects, leading to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and age-related diseases. The study reveals a novel mechanism by which maternal diet interacts with epigenetics to influence gene expression in offspring throughout life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: March 7, 2011

Researchers create a molecular switch that enhances DC-mediated tumor antigen-specific T cell responses, improving the efficacy of cancer vaccines. Additionally, they find that reducing Tie1 levels attenuates the development of lesions in atherosclerosis models, highlighting a potential new target for therapy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 7, 2011

University of Maryland School of Medicine publishes scientific paper on 2001 anthrax attacks

Researchers from the Institute for Genome Sciences used genomics and microbiology to investigate the 2001 anthrax attacks, tracing the spores back to a flask containing Bacillus anthracis. The investigation led to the identification of Bruce Ivins as the perpetrator, marking the first use of microbial forensics in a criminal case.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2011

Older parents are happier with more children

Research reveals a global trend where parents over 30 feel unhappy with each additional child, but those aged 40+ are happier than their peers until they have four or more children. Older parents tend to be happier than childless couples when they reach adulthood and can benefit from their financial support.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateMar 7, 2011

Parents important for keeping adolescents off alcohol

A new thesis from Karolinska Institutet highlights the importance of parental involvement in preventing adolescent alcohol consumption. Adolescents who exhibit risky behavior at an early age are more likely to develop high consumption patterns and associated health problems. Parents can make a significant difference by strengthening th...

Psychosocially hazardous neighborhoods associated with worse cognitive function in some older adults

A study found that older adults with the APOE ε4 allele who reside in psychosocially hazardous neighborhoods exhibit poorer cognitive performance in various domains, including processing speed and executive function. The presence of APOE ε4 alleles in African American populations also showed a significant impact on cognitive function.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateMar 7, 2011

Teaching robots to move like humans

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that when robots move in a more human-like fashion, people can better recognize what the robot is doing and mimic it themselves. The study used motion-capture technology to program a robot to perform human movements, resulting in improved human-robot interaction.

Suggesting genes' friends, Facebook-style

Scientists have developed a new method to understand how different genes interact and affect cellular processes. The technique enables the identification of genes that influence each other's effects, similar to Facebook suggesting friend pairs, which could help predict patient outcomes and adapt treatments for diseases like cancer.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 7, 2011

High levels of 'good' cholesterol may cut bowel cancer risk

Research suggests that high levels of 'good' cholesterol (HDL) are associated with a reduced risk of bowel cancer. The association remains intact even after accounting for other factors such as inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxygen free radicals. HDL may alter the inflammatory process in some way, according to the study's authors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGut·DateMar 7, 2011

Rockefeller Scientists discover new compound that rids cells of Alzheimer protein debris

Scientists from Rockefeller University have discovered a new compound, SMER28, which stimulates autophagy and effectively slows down the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein aggregates in rat and mice cells. This approach offers a radically different method to treat Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative diseases.