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Science News for September 26, 2011


Cell Transplantation study shows bone growth from implanted tooth and dental pulp stem cells

Researchers successfully grafted deciduous canine teeth and dental pulp stem cells into parent canines, demonstrating bone regeneration after four weeks. The study found increased immunosuppressive activity of these stem cells, paving the way for potential clinical applications in allogenic in vivo stem cell transplantation.

A treatment for one form of albinism?

Researchers have found that treating mice with OCA-1B, a form of oculocutaneous albinism, with nitisinone improves eye and skin pigmentation. The study suggests that nitisinone could potentially ameliorate vision loss in patients with OCA-1B.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 26, 2011

UCLA Engineering researchers help develop complete map of mouse genetic variation

Researchers from UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science contributed to the development of a comprehensive genetic catalog of 17 strains of mice. The study provides a complete picture of genetic variation in these mouse strains, enabling scientists to accurately predict gene expression levels and identify variant...

No more tasty surprises

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new method to calculate the probability of extreme events in finance. The traditional approach ignores the bulk of the relevant data, which can lead to important information being lost. By using this new method, scientists can better predict such events and improve financial models.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalThe Annals of Statistics·DateSep 26, 2011

Increased risk of bleeding with combined use of SSRIs and antiplatelet therapy after heart attacks

Patients taking SSRIs with antiplatelet therapy have a higher risk of bleeding compared to those taking ASA alone. The study found that combining an SSRI with ASA increased the risk by 42%, while dual antiplatelet therapy increased the risk by 57%. Women and patients who underwent angioplasty had lower bleeding risks.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateSep 26, 2011

Predicting prognosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers identified a gene expression profile that can predict prognosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The study found two subgroups of patients, one with mild disease and the other with treatment-nonresponsive disease, which will help physicians identify those who need aggressive therapies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 26, 2011

Study of bees links gene regulatory networks in the brain to behavior

Researchers have found that distinct gene regulatory networks in the honey bee brain contribute to specific behaviors, such as foraging and aggression. The study confirmed a close relationship between changes in gene expression and behavior, highlighting the importance of understanding the regulation of brain gene expression.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2011

Changing race by changing clothes

A study from Tufts University found that social status cues can alter the perception of race, revealing a complex process influenced by context and pre-existing stereotypes. The researchers used computer simulations to demonstrate how subtle effects of status cues emerge in a system similar to the human brain.

SourceTufts University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 26, 2011

Is gallows humor in medicine wrong?

The article explores the ethics of gallows humor in medicine, with author Katie Watson arguing that some joking between medical professionals can be beneficial. She suggests that the key to deciding when gallows humor is okay lies in understanding the intent and impact of jokes on patients and power dynamics.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateSep 26, 2011

Study examining large-scale data of double balloon enteroscopy shows it is safe and effective

A large-scale review of DBE found a pooled detection rate of 68.1% for all small intestinal diseases, with inflammatory lesions and vascular lesions being the most common findings in suspected mid-gastrointestinal bleeding patients. The study concluded that DBE is a valuable modality with acceptable detection and complication rates.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateSep 26, 2011

Non-verbal clues guide doctor-patient relationships, clinical judgments, U-M study finds

A new study by the University of Michigan Health System found that subtle non-verbal clues exert an influence on medical care, with patients relying on these cues to evaluate the doctor-patient relationship and doctors using them to inform their medical judgments. The study's method shows promise for improving medical decision making.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice·DateSep 26, 2011

Sneaking up on the glassy transition of water

Physicists from the University of Pisa and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche have put an end to the debate on the glass transition temperature of water. They found that the magic number is approximately 136 Kelvin (-137 Celsius) using a thorough study of water's dynamics, supporting traditional views and refuting recent claims.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateSep 26, 2011

Role of gender in workplace negotiations

A study by Columbia Business School researchers finds that women's lower negotiation outcomes are driven by heightened concerns about social backlash, rather than a lack of capability or motivation. To address this, training programs should focus on coaching role shifting and reframing self-advocacy as other-advocacy.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateSep 26, 2011

Researchers discover gene that is mutated in some blood cancers and predicts better survival

A recent study found that mutations in the SF3B1 gene are associated with a milder form of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and better overall survival rates. The researchers also discovered a close relationship between the mutated gene and the presence of ring sideroblasts, abnormal precursors to red blood cells, which can cause anaemia.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 26, 2011

Location matters: For invasive aquatic species, it's better to start upstream

Researchers found that invasive species like the European green crab may have a major advantage when starting at the upstream edge of their range, particularly in environments with strong prevailing directions of water or wind currents. This can help inform control efforts and conservation strategies for native species.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2011

Breaking chemistry's bad rap

A recent article in Nature Chemistry outlines why chemistry has a tarnished public image, citing 'chemophobia' as the reason. The authors propose five communication strategies to improve public engagement with chemistry, including practice research-driven communication and framing key messages to prompt engagement.

SourceAmerican University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 26, 2011

2-dimensional learning

Researchers found that passive viewing of 2D images can lead to sustained changes in nerve cell connections, facilitating the expression of persistent hippocampal long-term depression. This discovery has implications for developing strategies to improve digital learning and reduce apathy towards traditional teaching methods.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateSep 26, 2011

Modified vaccine shows promise in preventing malaria

Researchers at Michigan State University have created a new malaria vaccine that combines an immune-stimulating gene with a disabled cold virus, increasing the immune response against the parasite. The vaccine was found to be more effective than previously developed systems in animal models, paving the way for human clinical trials.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 26, 2011

Boys and their bodies

A study by Concordia University and the University of Manitoba found that most boys aspire to have an average physique rather than an idealized, lean, or muscular body. The research suggests that boys are critical of unrealistic beauty standards and view sculpted bodies as unnatural.

SourceConcordia University·JournalMen and Masculinities·DateSep 26, 2011

Company stock prices before public announcements of oncology trial results

Research found that drug company stock prices increased by 13.7% before positive phase III clinical trials and decreased by 0.7% before negative trials. The study also showed that stock prices of established companies with positive trial results were more likely to increase than those of smaller companies with negative trial results.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 26, 2011

Many roads lead to Asia

Scientists discovered that Denisova hominins interbred with modern humans at least 44,000 years ago, contributing genetic material to populations in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The study suggests that there were at least two migration waves, contradicting previous assumptions about human settlement in the region.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateSep 26, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: September 26, 2011

Researchers have found that treating mice with oculocutaneous albinism caused by mutations in the Tyr gene resulted in improved eye and hair pigmentation when treated with nitisinone. This suggests a potential new treatment for a subset of patients with OCA1B, a form of albinism associated with vision loss.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 26, 2011

New energy in search for future wind

A new study from CSIRO Australia has found that Australia's average wind speed is increasing, contrary to recent international studies showing a decrease. The research provides valuable insights into the causes of variations in near-surface wind and long-term wind speed trends over Australia.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalJournal of Climate·DateSep 26, 2011

Women who break a hip at increased risk of dying within a year

A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that women aged 65-69 who break a hip are five times more likely to die within a year than those who don't. The study also discovered that for women aged 70-79, a hip fracture doubles the risk of dying, while for those aged 80 and older in excellent health, it nearly triples. These findings hig...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 26, 2011