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Science News for October 24, 2011


Take your blood pressure meds before bed

A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that taking blood pressure-lowering medications at bedtime improves blood pressure control and reduces the risk of heart problems. Patients who took their medications before bed had better outcomes than those who took them in the morning.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 24, 2011

In developing rats, antidepressant exposure linked to brain, behavioral abnormalities

Researchers found that antidepressants given to rats during development led to brain abnormalities and behavioral traits similar to autism spectrum disorder. The study suggests a potential link between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and the rise in developmental disorders in children.

SourceUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2011

New device measures viscosity of ketchup and cosmetics

A new device developed at the University of Sheffield enables real-time monitoring of liquid flow and rheology, making it easier to control product properties. The technology ensures that companies producing liquids can incorporate the device into their development process, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalMeasurement Science and Technology·DateOct 24, 2011

Leeds puts Britain on trial

The 'Britain on Trial: Young Voices Speak Out' event brings together young people with leading writers, artists, academics, and activists to discuss challenges and develop ideas for change. Participants create and share their own creative responses to social issues using performance-poetry, art, and drama.

Deliberate practice: Necessary but not sufficient

Research by Guillermo Campitelli and Fernand Gobet found that deliberate practice is necessary to achieve mastery in skills like chess. However, the duration of practice alone does not guarantee success. Other factors such as intelligence, handedness, and working memory also contribute to an individual's ability to excel in these areas.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateOct 24, 2011

Yoga and stretching exercises beneficial for chronic low back pain

A study found yoga classes to be more effective in reducing symptoms and improving function for patients with chronic low back pain compared to a self-care book. Stretching exercises also showed moderate benefits in reducing back pain, suggesting that the mental component of yoga may not be the primary factor in its effectiveness.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateOct 24, 2011

Harsh discipline fosters dishonesty in young children

Young children exposed to harsh punishment are more likely to lie and better at telling convincing lies than those from non-punitive schools, a study suggests. The research found that children in punitive environments could deceive even older children, challenging existing theories on cognitive development.

SourceMcGill University·JournalChild Development·DateOct 24, 2011

Thomas Jefferson is the first high school to subscribe to the Journal of Visualized Experiments

Thomas Jefferson High School has become the first high school to subscribe to JoVE, a video-based research journal. The school's advanced equipment and digital resources will help students learn complex experimental techniques more effectively. This partnership aims to inspire future scientists by exposing them to cutting-edge research...

SourceThe Journal of Visualized Experiments·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateOct 24, 2011

Mechanical stress can help or hinder wound healing depending on time of application

A recent study found that applying mechanical forces to a wound site immediately after healing began can disrupt vascular growth and prevent bone healing. However, delaying the application of mechanical stress until later in the healing process can enhance functional bone regeneration through adaptive remodeling.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2011

Ancient cooking pots reveal gradual transition to agriculture

Researchers analyzed ancient pottery for signs of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater organisms, finding that fish and aquatic resources continued to be exploited after the advent of farming. This suggests a gradual transition from hunting to agriculture in Western Europe, challenging previous assumptions about the abrupt shift.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2011

Research finds gallium nitride is non-toxic, biocompatible - holds promise for implants

Researchers at North Carolina State University and Purdue University have shown that gallium nitride (GaN) is non-toxic and biocompatible, making it a promising material for biomedical implants. The material was found to be stable in environments mimicking the human body and bonded effectively with cells when coated with peptides.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalActa Biomaterialia·DateOct 24, 2011

Surprises of the measles virus structure

A new three-dimensional model of measles virus helps explain unaccounted observations in its life cycle. The study found matrix protein forms helical tubes around the viral genome and nucleocapsid, regulating replication and genome movement.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2011

High fizzy soft drink consumption linked to violence among teens

Research published in Injury Prevention found that teens who consume high amounts of carbonated non-diet soft drinks are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,800 Boston teenagers, discovered a significant association between heavy soft drink consumption and violence perpetration.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateOct 24, 2011

Study evaluates industry payments to orthopedic surgeons

A study analyzed financial payments made by orthopedic device manufacturers to orthopedic surgeons from 2007 to 2010. The findings show a reduction in total payments and funds distributed after payment disclosure was required, as well as an increase in the proportion of consultants with academic affiliations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateOct 24, 2011

Potential new cause of miscarriage and habitual abortion

A team of researchers has identified a non-classical form of Fetal and Neonatal Immune Thrombocytopenia (FNIT) that causes excessive platelet activation and blood clot formation in the placenta, leading to miscarriage. The condition can be prevented with intravenous IgG and anti-FcRn therapies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 24, 2011

British study may improve glaucoma assessment and treatment

A recent British study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science may revolutionize the way healthcare professionals assess glaucoma risk. The study used a new method to measure intraocular pressure, correcting for corneal biomechanics, and found accurate measurements of eye pressure with improved accuracy.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateOct 24, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Oct. 24, 2011

Researchers have identified a non-classical form of fetal immune thrombocytopenia that can lead to miscarriage and habitual abortion. The condition is characterized by excessive platelet activation and blood clot formation in the placenta. New treatments targeting this condition have been suggested, offering hope for women affected by it.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 24, 2011

Exposure to chemical BPA before birth linked to behavioral, emotional difficulties in girls

Exposure to BPA in the womb is associated with behavior and emotional problems in young girls, according to a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study. Higher gestational BPA concentrations were linked to more hyperactive, aggressive, anxious, and depressed behavior in girls, while boys showed no significant association.

Clues revealed to cause of deadly kidney disease in newborns

Researchers found that small vesicles called exosome-like vesicles (ELVs) are involved in transporting signals through urine and interacting with primary cilia in the kidneys. This discovery may help understand how gene mutations cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a condition that often leads to kidney failure.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 24, 2011

Foley catheter as successful as widely used hormone-like gel for inducing labor but with fewer side effects

A new trial suggests that a Foley catheter is as successful in inducing labor as the widely used hormone-like gel prostaglandin E2, but with lower rates of infection and complications. The study found similar vaginal delivery rates and reduced risks of caesarean section, operative deliveries for fetal distress, and neonatal admissions.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 24, 2011