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Science News Archive October 2011 - Page 27


Page 27 of 28

Higher quality diet associated with reduced risk of some birth defects

A study found that pregnant women with better maternal diet quality had a lower risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects and orofacial clefts. The research used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to examine whether better maternal diet quality was associated with reduced risk for selected birth defects.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateOct 3, 2011

'Mirage-effect' helps researchers hide objects

Researchers have developed a cloaking device that utilizes the 'mirage effect' to make objects invisible. The device uses sheets of carbon nanotubes, which can be heated to create a temperature gradient that bends light rays away from the object, making it appear invisible.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateOct 3, 2011

Social media sites may reveal information about problem drinking among college students

A study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that college students who display references to intoxication or problem drinking on their Facebook profiles are more likely to report alcohol-related injuries. The study suggests using social media monitoring as a tool for identifying at-risk students, potentiall...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateOct 3, 2011

Fighting prejudice through imitation

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that watching a person from a different race perform actions reduces implicit prejudice. By mimicking these movements, individuals can activate brain mechanisms contributing to empathy and lower their levels of prejudice.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Scarborough·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateOct 3, 2011

Examining motherly fears

A new study by sociologists at Rice University and Stanford University explores how neighborhood poverty influences maternal fear of children's outdoor play. Mothers' household economic status, education, employment, and physical/mental health all contribute to their fears.

SourceRice University·JournalFamily Relations·DateOct 3, 2011

Some link between CCSVI and MS but quality of evidence prevents definitive conclusion

A meta-analysis found a strong association between CCSVI and multiple sclerosis, but the low quality of included studies prevents a definitive conclusion. The variation in study results suggests that factors such as sample size, ultrasound techniques, and training of operators may contribute to the heterogeneity.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 3, 2011

Pale people may need vitamin D supplements

Researchers at the University of Leeds found that people with fair skin are more likely to have sub-optimal vitamin D levels. The study suggests that these individuals may need vitamin D supplements to maintain optimal health levels, particularly in areas with limited sunlight.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCancer Causes & Control·DateOct 3, 2011

Study reports predictors of poor hand hygiene in an emergency department

A recent study found that receiving care in a hallway bed was the strongest predictor of healthcare providers not washing their hands. The researchers observed providers wearing gloves instead of washing their hands, and workers who transport patients between departments were less likely to wash their hands due to inadequate training.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateOct 3, 2011

Priming with DNA vaccine makes avian flu vaccine work better

Researchers found that a DNA vaccine expressing a key H5N1 protein enhanced the immune response to an H5N1 avian influenza vaccine. The prime-boost regimen produced high levels of protective antibodies and broadly neutralizing antibodies against the HA stem, a region relatively constant across many strains of influenza viruses.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateOct 3, 2011

Race to nerve regeneration: faster is better

A team of researchers identified a way to speed up the growth of damaged nerves, restoring muscle function in injured mice. The study suggests that increasing nerve growth rates may enhance functional recovery in patients with peripheral nerve damage.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 3, 2011

Overall quality of pregnant woman’s diet affects risk for two birth defects, Stanford study shows

A new Stanford University study found that the overall quality of a pregnant woman's diet is linked to a lower risk of two types of serious birth defects. Women who ate better before and during pregnancy had fewer infants with brain and spinal cord malformations or orofacial clefts, such as cleft lip and palate.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateOct 3, 2011

Nanoparticles seek and destroy glioblastoma in mice

Scientists at Sanford-Burnham and Salk Institute developed a method to combine peptides and nanoparticles to eliminate glioblastoma in previously untreatable mouse models. The nanosystem proved effective in treating two different mouse models, curing most tumors and significantly delaying tumor development.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2011

Potential new treatment for stroke

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified EP4 as a potential new treatment target for stroke. A selective EP4 agonist administered after stroke reduced brain damage and long-term behavioral deficits in mice, suggesting its therapeutic potential.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 3, 2011

How the brain makes memories: Rhythmically!

UCLA neuro-physicists discovered an optimal brain 'rhythm' for changing synaptic strength, contrary to previous assumptions. The findings suggest that stimulating synapses at naturally occurring frequencies, not high frequencies, increases synaptic strength and may lead to new therapies for learning disabilities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateOct 3, 2011

Biomarker for Huntington's disease identified

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a transcriptional biomarker that may assist in the monitoring of Huntington's disease activity and the evaluation of new medications. The biomarker, H2AFY, is overexpressed in the blood of individuals with Huntington's disease.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2011

Brand name advertising clicks with online shoppers

Researchers found that brand names in online search engine advertising campaigns attract more attention and encourage more sales. A study by Penn State researchers discovered that branded keyword phrases combined with branded advertisements generated the highest average sales, 15 times higher than generic ads.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Commerce·DateOct 3, 2011