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Science News Archive September 2011 - Page 10


Page 10 of 29

Science and religion do mix

A new study by Rice University suggests that only a minority of scientists at major research universities view religion and science as being in perpetual conflict. In reality, most scientists see both religion and science as valid avenues of knowledge that can bring broader understanding to important questions.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion·DateSep 21, 2011

The 'disinhibited' brain

Researchers have discovered that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by a 'disinhibited' brain, with increased excitability in both the affected and unaffected hands. The study found altered sensory perception in CRPS patients, indicating a complex role of changes in the central nervous system.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNeurology·DateSep 21, 2011

Rhode Island Hospital looks more closely at personality disorders

Researchers found that the current DSM-IV scoring system effectively captures the dimensional nature of personality disorders and proposed a quasi-dimensional approach instead of redefining them. The study showed that the three-point dimensional convention was more strongly associated with measures of psychosocial morbidity.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateSep 21, 2011

Bionic bacteria may help fight disease and global warming

Researchers at Salk Institute developed bacteria that can incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins, enabling the creation of new synthetic chemicals. This breakthrough may lead to the development of drugs that last longer in the bloodstream and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateSep 21, 2011

UCLA researchers develop system that finds prostate cancer spread earlier than conventional imaging

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a gene-based imaging system that can detect castration-resistant prostate cancer earlier than conventional methods. The system uses specific genes and reporter genes to accurately identify the spread of the disease, giving oncologists more time to treat it and pot...

NSF funds collaborative effort to identify genes supporting life in extreme conditions

Researchers are sequencing the Atlantic killifish genome to understand how it tolerates pollutants and thermal extremes, providing insights into human impact on the earth and global warming. This study aims to accelerate our understanding of genetic determinants of health and disease in changing environments.

Scientists play ping-pong with single electrons

Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a technique to transfer quantum information by controlling individual electrons in Gallium Arsenide. This innovation has the potential to enable faster and more efficient processing in quantum computers, addressing complex problems beyond classical computers' capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateSep 21, 2011

Fear of childbirth increases likelihood of C-section

A new study found that fear of childbirth is a predisposing factor for emergency and elective cesarean sections. The research analyzed 353 women with fear of childbirth and 579 without the condition, revealing a higher incidence of traumatic deliveries and induced inductions.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateSep 21, 2011

Increased responsibility could lead to decreased sexual activity among women

A recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that married women's autonomy and decision-making power are linked to their sexual activity. Women who have more control over household decisions tend to have sex less often, with a significant increase in time since their last intercourse.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe Journal of Sex Research·DateSep 21, 2011

New hybrid carbon material discovered

The discovery of GNR@SWNTs opens up potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and energy storage. Researchers have found that the shape of encapsulated graphene nanoribbons can be modified by different polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules, allowing for metallic or semiconductor properties.

SourceAalto University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 21, 2011

YouTube videos can inaccurately depict Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders

A group of neurologists reviewed the most frequently watched YouTube videos about movement disorders and found that 66% were identified as showing 'psychogenic' movement disorders. The doctors agreed on diagnoses in 87-100% of all cases, highlighting the need for careful consideration when seeking medical information online.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 21, 2011

Do women's voices really allow men to detect ovulation?

A new study published in PLOS ONE challenges the idea that women's voices contain cues for men to detect ovulation. The researchers found that the variation in women's vocal quality throughout the menstrual cycle does not provide reliable information about the timing of ovulation, making it a poor mating clue.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 21, 2011