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Science News for November 2, 2011


Unraveling Batten disease

Researchers have discovered that a mutation in the CLN3 gene disrupts protein trafficking, leading to lysosome overflow and neuronal death in Batten disease. The findings may form the basis for a new therapy by targeting the kinase function of CLN3.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateNov 2, 2011

Understanding emotions without language

Researchers found that Yucatec Maya speakers and German speakers performed similarly when identifying mixed-emotion faces. The study suggests that emotions have evolved as basic human mechanisms, unaffected by language. This discovery challenges the idea that language plays a crucial role in understanding emotions.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEmotion·DateNov 2, 2011

Born to roar

Researchers found that the structure of lion and tiger vocal folds, including fat and viscoelastic properties, determines the low-frequency roars. The study challenges previous assumptions about the causes of loud roaring in these big cats.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 2, 2011

Women's chin, abdomen are good indicators of excessive hair growth

Researchers have found that examining the chin and upper/lower abdomen is an accurate and minimally invasive way to screen for excessive hair growth in women, which can be up to 80% effective. This method has significant implications for diagnosing PCOS and related health risks such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalFertility and Sterility·DateNov 2, 2011

Mayo researchers discover tactic to delay age-related disorders

Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that eliminating senescent cells can prevent or delay the onset of age-related disorders and disabilities. The study showed that lifelong elimination of these cells delayed age-related disorders such as cataracts and muscle loss, and slowed their progression in already established diseases.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2011

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance now an important first-line test

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) has become a critical diagnostic tool in clinical cardiology, providing comprehensive assessments of ventricular function, cardiac morphology, perfusion, viability, and metabolism. CMR offers significant advantages over other imaging modalities, including the absence of ionizing radiation and hig...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalProgress in Cardiovascular Diseases·DateNov 2, 2011

Video game playing tied to creativity

A study by Michigan State University found that video game playing boosts creativity in tasks like drawing and writing, but not other technology use. The researchers surveyed nearly 500 middle-school students and used the Torrance Test of Creativity-Figural to gauge their creative abilities.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateNov 2, 2011

Measuring outcome in the treatment of depression via the Web

A new study by Rhode Island Hospital reports that web-based assessments for outcome measurements of patients in treatment for depression are valid and reliable. The researchers also found that patients preferred the Internet version over the paper version, citing it as less burdensome, time-consuming, secure, and accurate.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateNov 2, 2011

Dirt prevents allergy

Researchers at University of Copenhagen found that children born vaginally with diverse gut bacteria have lower risk of allergies. The study suggests that early exposure to a variety of bacteria is crucial for a healthy immune system, contradicting the long-held notion that bacteria are a threat to public health.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 2, 2011

Solar concentrator increases collection with less loss

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratories and Penn State have developed a new solar concentrator design that improves light collection efficiency. The new design achieves near-lossless propagation for several different chromophores, enabling a more than twofold increase in concentration ratio compared to conventional LSCs.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 2, 2011

A widely used bee antibiotic may harm rather than help

Researchers discovered that a widely used bee antibiotic increases susceptibility to pesticides, contributing to colony collapse disorder. The study suggests that oxytetracycline interacts with specific proteins in the bees, rendering them more vulnerable to toxic chemicals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 2, 2011

Maternal separation stresses the baby

Separating newborns from their mothers stresses the baby, with heart rate variability increasing by 176% and quiet sleep decreasing by 86%. Skin-to-skin contact with mother reduces this stress, but further research is needed to understand its long-term effects.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateNov 2, 2011

VLT observations of gamma-ray burst reveal surprising ingredients of early galaxies

New study reveals two young galaxies at 12 billion years old with super-solar metal abundances, challenging our understanding of the universe's chemical evolution. The findings support the idea that gamma-ray bursts are associated with vigorous massive star formation and provide insights into the history of the early universe.

SourceESO·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 2, 2011

Tulane-led study first to confirm effectiveness and safety of new treatment for hemophilia

A new treatment for severe hemophilia A patients with inhibitors has been shown to be highly effective in preventing bleeding events. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that FEIBA infused three times a week resulted in a 62% reduction in all bleeding events and a 72% reduction in target joint bleeding.

SourceTulane University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 2, 2011

Global flu watch: Report of rare flu coinfection in Southeast Asia hot spot

Researchers have confirmed a rare incidence of individuals becoming infected with both seasonal and pandemic strains of the flu at the same time. Experts say this highlights the ongoing risk of distinct flu viruses combining in human hosts, particularly in Southeast Asia where avian influenza and pandemic H1N1 are prevalent.

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateNov 2, 2011

News tips from the journal mBio

Antibodies have been found to trick certain bacteria into killing each other, providing a new mechanism for bacterial clearance. Additionally, researchers suggest that humoral immunity may play a role in eliminating old seasonal influenza virus strains by inducing an anti-stalk antibody response.

A hormone ensures its future

Researchers discovered a crucial brain area, neuro-hypophysis, where biochemical commands are passed from the brain to the bloodstream. They found that oxytocin, known as the 'hormone of love,' plays a key role in the development of this structure, governing blood vessel formation during embryonic stages.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateNov 2, 2011

Born to roar

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that big cats' square-shaped vocal cords allow for louder roars at lower lung pressure, making it easier for the tissue to respond to airflow. This discovery contradicts a long-held theory and could potentially help doctors reconstruct damaged vocal fold tissue.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 2, 2011

Genome-scale network of rice genes to speed the development of biofuel crops

Researchers have created a genome-scale model called RiceNet to predict the functions of genes and gene networks in rice, accelerating the development of biofuel crops. The model, which encompasses nearly half of all rice genes, was developed using publicly available data sets and validated through experiments.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2011

Geologists find ponds not the cause of arsenic poisoning in India's groundwater

A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that perennial ponds are not a significant contributor to high levels of arsenic in India's groundwater. Instead, the researchers propose that organic matter contained in Holocene sedimentary basins is likely the source of the toxin, taking thousands of years to reach the a...

SourceKansas State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 2, 2011