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Science News for November 29, 2011


Low staffing and poor quality of care at nation's for-profit nursing homes

The study found that the nation's largest for-profit chains operate with significantly lower staffing levels than non-profit and government-owned nursing homes, leading to poorer quality of care. The top 10 chains have a strategy of keeping labor costs low to increase profits, resulting in more deficiencies and serious deficiencies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalHealth Services Research·DateNov 29, 2011

New tuberculosis research movement needed

The TB Research Movement aims to create a framework for concrete actions to harmonize and synergize TB research efforts globally. The movement is creating a framework for more research and innovation, particularly for the poor and vulnerable populations burdened by TB.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 29, 2011

Minorities pay more for water and sewer

A study by Michigan State University researchers reveals that racial minorities face higher costs for basic water and sewer services. The study attributes the disparity to the aging infrastructure in urban areas, where whites have fled, leaving minority residents to bear the costs.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEnvironmental Practice·DateNov 29, 2011

Genetic buzzer-beater genes may save fish

A study published by researchers at the University of Oregon reveals that two distinct populations of rainbow trout share a genetic trait that enables them to adapt to their native rivers in Alaska and Idaho. This gene variant, identified using RAD technology, may hold key to saving struggling fish populations from extinction.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateNov 29, 2011

A smarter way to make ultraviolet light beams

Researchers have optimized a type of optical resonator to boost infrared signals to higher-energy ultraviolet beams using low-power nonlinear processes. This enables the creation of low-cost, wavelength-tunable ultraviolet sources with applications in chemical detection, medical imaging and fine lithography.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalOptics Express·DateNov 29, 2011

GSA Bulletin highlights: New research posted ahead of print

Two studies published in GSA BULLETIN examine the evolution of C4-dominated grasslands in the southern Great Plains and the tectonomagmatic evolution of northwestern Mexico. The first study uses carbon isotope composition to reconstruct the relative abundance of C4 grasses over the past 12 million years, finding a protracted history of...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateNov 29, 2011

Is the end of polio truly in sight?

Despite significant progress, polio eradication remains complex due to asymptomatic infections and vaccine limitations. Experts emphasize the need for further research on virus-host interactions and vaccine usage in the final stages of the program.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of General Virology·DateNov 29, 2011

Industrialization weakens important carbon sink

Researchers found a 100-fold weakening in coastal ecosystems' ability to sequester carbon since European settlement, coinciding with industrial expansion and nitrogen deposition. Estuaries, natural global carbon sinks, are at risk of diminishing their ability to mitigate climate change.

SourceWiley·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateNov 29, 2011

U of I study: Kindergarten friendships matter, especially for boys

A University of Illinois study found that high-quality kindergarten friendships are essential for boys' social skills and behavior problems in first and third grades. In contrast, girls' social skills were not significantly affected by their kindergarten friendships. The research suggests that early friendships provide a positive found...

Cobblestones fool innate immunity

Scientists at the University of Gothenburg create a nanostructured surface on implants, fooling the innate immune system and reducing rejection rates. The unique surface mimics natural structures, allowing the body to integrate foreign objects more easily.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of Nanomedicine·DateNov 29, 2011

E. coli bacteria engineered to eat switchgrass and make transportation fuels

Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully engineered E. coli bacteria to digest switchgrass biomass and synthesize its sugars into all three major transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This breakthrough reduces fuel production costs by consolidating two steps into one, enabling a single-step operation.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2011

Graphene lights up with new possibilities

Researchers at Rice University developed a two-step method to attach organic molecules to pristine graphene, making it suitable for various new applications. This breakthrough enables advances in chemical sensors, thermoelectric devices, and metamaterials.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2011

Study: No decline in running economy for older runners

A new study from the University of New Hampshire found that older runners' running economy is no different than that of younger runners, but maintaining this efficiency comes at a higher cost, including lower VO2 max and maximal heart rates. Researchers recommend strength training to minimize age-related decline in performance.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·DateNov 29, 2011

New thinking required on wildlife disease

A University of Adelaide scientist highlights the potential of freely available software tools to predict the spread of diseases in Australian wildlife and commercial stock. The team used these tools to estimate that up to 100,000 buffalo would need to be culled annually for 15 years to reduce TB prevalence near zero.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateNov 29, 2011

Stress response predictor in police officers may indicate those at high risk for PTSD

A study led by Dr. Charles Marmar found that police recruits with higher cortisol awakening responses were more likely to experience acute stress symptoms in response to trauma years later. The study suggests that measuring cortisol levels could be a potential indicator for identifying those at high risk for PTSD.

The implications of disease coexistence

A new study published in Journal of Molecular Neuroscience emphasizes the significance of identifying 'overlap syndrome' between ALS and FTD, which can impact patient survival. The research also explores clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and screening strategies for this syndrome.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Molecular Neuroscience·DateNov 29, 2011

Walnut trees may not be able to withstand climate change

Researchers at Purdue University found that walnut trees are highly sensitive to certain climates and may struggle to survive in a changing environment. The trees' defense mechanisms against cold and extreme weather events could be compromised by climate change, leading to potential declines in the species.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAnnals of Forest Science·DateNov 29, 2011

Graphene earns its stripes

Researchers at University College London discovered electronic stripes on graphene sheets, a finding that could revolutionize the exploitation of this material. The discovery was made using a scanning tunneling microscope and found that extra electrons arrange themselves into nanometer-scale stripes spontaneously.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2011

The interplay of dancing electrons

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a new method to study electron interactions in negative ions, crucial for understanding phenomena like superconductors. This knowledge may also shed light on the origin of life and the chemical reactions that occurred in space.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateNov 29, 2011

Lighting the way to understanding the brain

Researchers at Harvard University have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire, allowing them to trace signal propagation and study neural pathways. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up drug development and advance our understanding of genetic conditions.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 29, 2011

Breakthrough in the battle against malaria

Researchers have identified new ways to target and kill the malaria parasite in human bloodstreams, which could lead to the development of new anti-malarial drugs. The discovery provides a promising avenue for combating the disease, but also highlights the need for continued efforts to address growing resistance to current treatments.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2011