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Science News Archive October 2011 - Page 11


Page 11 of 28

Manufacturing goes viral

Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley developed a technique to direct benign viruses to self-assemble into thin-film structures with complex properties. By controlling the physical environment, they created films with specific bending properties and guided cell growth, shedding light on biological tissue assembly in na...

Successful pregnancy possible after kidney transplant

A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation reveals that women who undergo a kidney transplant can successfully carry a pregnancy with a live birth rate of 73.5%. However, pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and preterm delivery are common, especially among those pregnant within two years of the transplant.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateOct 20, 2011

Culture in humans and apes has the same evolutionary roots

A new study by researchers at the University of Zurich has found that humans and great apes share a common evolutionary origin for their cultural behaviors. The research, which analyzed data from over 100,000 hours of orangutan behavior, suggests that genetic factors and environmental influences play a significant role in shaping behav...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 20, 2011

New study shows soy protein improves lipid profile in healthy individuals

A new study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that soy protein supplementation can help lower blood lipids and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The study found that soy protein significantly increased HDL cholesterol and lowered LDL cholesterol, providing a potential cardiovascular benefit.

SourceSolae, LLC·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 20, 2011

Wakey, wakey!

Researchers in India developed an alarm clock that monitors brain activity to wake users during more easily roused stages of sleep. This leads to a gentler and more refreshed awakening compared to conventional alarm clocks.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateOct 20, 2011

Hospital patients suffer in shift shuffle

Inadequate handovers during patient care shifts lead to decreased continuity of care and higher risk of adverse events. Effective strategies, such as prioritizing acutely ill patients and minimizing discussion on straightforward cases, can improve the quality of sign-out processes.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2011

Cloudy with a chance of sudden death

Bioengineers from Rice University are testing a new law of biology to predict when critically ill patients will worsen, and which treatment is likely to prevent it. The study aims to provide clinicians with a patient-specific 'forecast' using data from electrocardiograms and other vital signs.

1 clock with 2 times

Researchers at the University of Vienna aim to measure general relativistic time on a quantum scale by exploiting quantum interference and complementarity. They consider a single clock in a superposition of two locations, one closer and one further away from Earth, where gravity's effects are different.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2011

Gypsies, graveyards and mysterious plants

A US Department of Agriculture scientist identified a rare grass-like sedge as blue sedge, native to Asia and Australia, found growing near the gravesites of a royal Gypsy family in Mississippi. The plant's restricted distribution and invasive traits suggest it could cause problems in US lawn and turf systems.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·DateOct 19, 2011

Evidence-based medicine in health-care reform

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 promotes a national comparative outcomes research project agenda to optimize evidence-based medicine. High-quality associations will identify research topics for pragmatic clinical trials, while systematic reviews of clinical trials provide optimal evidence-based medicine.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 19, 2011

Scientists report major advance in human antibody therapy against deadly Hendra virus

A neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, m102.4, has been developed to protect against Hendra virus infection, showing promise as a potential treatment for severe illness and death in humans. The antibody attacks a critical component of the virus, preventing its infection of cells.

Autistic facial characteristics identified

University of Missouri researchers have identified distinct differences in facial characteristics between children with autism and typically developing children. The study found that children with autism have broader eyes, a shorter middle face region, and a wider mouth, which may enable further study of the underlying causes of autism.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Autism·DateOct 19, 2011

For patients with both HIV and tuberculosis the timing of drug therapies is critical

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the optimal time to integrate HIV treatment with TB therapy depends on a patient's immune status. Patients with advanced HIV disease who start antiretroviral treatment earlier show significant improvements in survival rates.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 19, 2011

What makes tires grip the road on a rainy day?

Researchers from Italy and Germany created a model to predict friction on rough surfaces in wet conditions, shedding light on the flow of liquid at contact interfaces. The study confirms experimental findings and offers potential applications for creating microstructured tyres with improved grip in rainy weather.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 19, 2011

False starts can sneak by in women's sprinting

A new analysis by University of Michigan researchers found that Olympic timing procedures don't accurately detect false starts by female sprinters, with some being able to anticipate the gun by up to 20 milliseconds. The researchers recommend lowering the force threshold for females to ensure fair racing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 19, 2011

Study links pollutants to a 450 percent increase in risk of birth defects

A study published in PNAS found a strong association between high levels of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in newborns. The researchers collected placentas from 80 fetuses with birth defects and found high concentrations of endosulfan, lindane, and PAHs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 19, 2011