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Science News for October 17, 2011


Rates of suicide attempts and hospitalizations in children and adolescents

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that children and adolescents in foster care are at increased risk of suicide attempts and hospitalizations, but rates decrease after they enter care. Children with psychiatric disorders had the largest decrease in attempted suicides and hospitalizations.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 17, 2011

Women, men and the bedroom

A recent review article examines how gender roles and stereotypes have shaped our understanding of sex and relationships, concluding that many assumptions are unfounded. The study aims to debunk myths and highlight the social factors driving human behavior in intimate settings.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateOct 17, 2011

Protecting the brain when energy runs low

A team of researchers has identified a way for the brain to protect itself when its energy supply is running low. The brain uses a protein called AMPK to reduce the firing frequency of electrical impulses, conserving energy. This discovery could lead to new treatments for patients at risk of stroke.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2011

Avoiding bias in medical research

A new statistical approach, stochastic frontier estimation (SFE), has been developed to address bias in self-reported medical research data. This technique can identify bias at specific times and individual levels, ensuring more robust double-blind placebo-controlled trials.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research·DateOct 17, 2011

BGU professor receives US National Distinguished International Science Award for substance abuse work

Prof. Richard Isralowitz of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev received a US National Distinguished International Scientist Award for his work as director of the Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources (RADAR) Center. RADAR focuses on substance use issues among Israeli and former Soviet Union-origin youth and adults.

Study shows unexpected effect of climate change on body size for many different species

A recent study by the National University of Singapore reveals that climate change is causing a significant decrease in body size among various species worldwide. This trend has far-reaching implications for ecosystems and biodiversity, as smaller organisms can lead to reduced resource availability, population declines, and even loss o...

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 17, 2011

Nourishing protein slows brain disease

A protein that promotes neuron growth and blood vessel formation appears to halt brain degeneration in a genetic disease, according to Northwestern University research published in Nature Medicine. The study suggests a link between aging and the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, a disease causing cerebellum degeneration.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 17, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Oct. 17, 2011

Researchers identify broccoli-based compound as potential therapeutic for COPD, and discover the protective role of TLR6 in reducing asthma severity. Additionally, a signaling pathway linking high blood glucose to platelet hyperreactivity is defined, offering new targets for therapeutics.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 17, 2011

US rivers and streams saturated with carbon

Researchers found that US rivers and streams are a significant source of CO2, releasing as much as a car burning 40 billion gallons of gasoline into the atmosphere. This could alter carbon modeling and require adjustments to regional carbon budgets.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 17, 2011

Reversing aging

Researchers at UT Austin develop automated system to test millions of drugs on C. elegans worm, which develops Alzheimer's disease similar to humans. The goal is to speed up drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative diseases.

Drug tracked in tissue

Researchers at Lund University have created a molecular image of a drug in human tissue using a special type of mass spectrometry. The technique allows for precise spatial distribution analysis, enabling the development of safer and more effective drug candidates.

SourceLund University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateOct 17, 2011

Biomarker-guided heart failure treatment significantly reduces complications

A new study found that adjusting therapy to keep NT-proBNP levels below 1,000 pg/ml reduced hospitalizations for heart failure symptoms by half and lowered rates of arrhythmias, stroke, heart attack, and cardiac death. Patients reported better quality of life and greater improvement in heart structure and function.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 17, 2011

Bacteria associated with stomach ulcers not detected in enlarged adenoids in children

A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery found no evidence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in enlarged adenoids of children. However, Candidatus Wolinella africanus was detected in one hyperplastic adenoid sample, suggesting occasional reflux episodes may contribute to the disease's pathophysiology.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 17, 2011

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers studied mammography registries to compare cumulative probability of false-positive results after 10 years of annual or biennial screening. Biennial screening reduced false-positive recalls by one-third, but associated with a small increase in late-stage cancer diagnosis. Digital mammography was found to be equally effective...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 17, 2011

Immune peacekeepers discovered

Centenary Institute researchers have identified a set of immune cells in the outer layer of the skin that prevent the immune system from attacking friendly bacteria. This discovery opens up new possibilities for treating inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-mediated disorders.

SourceCentenary Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2011

Study identifies molecules used by certain species of seaweed to harm corals

Researchers have identified four toxic molecules used by certain species of seaweed to harm corals, which could inform management techniques to protect fish that consume these harmful seaweeds. The molecules are from a class of organic compounds known as terpenes and were found to be active at very low concentrations.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2011

Meet Concordia's first Trudeau Fellow

Ronald Rudin, a history professor at Concordia University, has been awarded a Trudeau Fellowship to propel his research on Quebec and Acadian identity. He will use the funding to continue making the past relevant to future generations through innovative storytelling methods.