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Science News Archive 2012 - Page 136


Page 136 of 333

In Massachusetts, 'individual mandate' led to decreased hospital productivity

A recent study published in Health Care Management Review found that mandatory individual insurance coverage in Massachusetts led to a significant near-term drop in hospital productivity. The results raise concerns about the potential impact of universal health insurance coverage on US hospital productivity and overall healthcare costs.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalHealth Care Management Review·DateJul 30, 2012

Parents find terms 'large' or 'gaining too much weight' less offensive than 'obese'

Medical researchers at the University of Alberta found that parents prefer terms like 'large' or 'gaining too much weight' when discussing their child's weight, rather than the term 'obese'. This suggests that using more neutral and descriptive language can reduce stigma and improve the physician-patient relationship.

Health care savings, naturally

A Harvard researcher has found that using traditional, natural medicines can provide significant economic benefits, with households in Madagascar receiving between $30 and $45 per year. The study suggests that if Americans relied on these remedies, they could save up to 63% of their annual healthcare bill.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 30, 2012

Telling the tale of the wealth tail

Researchers propose a mechanism of individual interaction to understand collective macroscopic behavior, finding power-law tails in some models. The diversity of saving propensity among individuals plays a role in shaping the distribution of wealth.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 30, 2012

Modern culture 44,000 years ago

A team of international researchers has dated and directly analyzed organic artifacts from Border Cave in South Africa, revealing evidence of San material culture dating back 44,000 years. This finding pushes the timeline for the emergence of modern human culture earlier than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2012

Surgical patient safety program lowers SSIs by one-third following colorectal operations

A surgical patient safety program combining accurate outcome measurement, leadership support, and engaged frontline providers reduces SSI rates in patients undergoing colorectal procedures by 33 percent. The program led to a notable reduction in wound infections, resulting in cost savings of up to $280,000 at the institution.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJul 30, 2012

What would happen without PSA testing?

The study found that without PSA testing, approximately 25,000 cases of advanced prostate cancer would occur in 2008, three times the actual number observed. This would result in more men experiencing aggressive disease with limited treatment options.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJul 30, 2012

When the world burned less

A new University of Utah-led study suggests that global cooling, rather than population collapse, was the primary driver of reduced wildfires globally. The research analyzed charcoal samples spanning 2,000 years and found a significant decline in fires post-1500 AD, which coincided with the onset of the Little Ice Age.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Holocene·DateJul 29, 2012

Smell the potassium

Researchers found two new potassium channels, SK3 and GIRK, that activate the vomeronasal organ's pheromone detection, overriding previous theories on sensory neuron function. The discovery provides clues to innate behaviors in humans and challenges existing knowledge on the VNO's role.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 29, 2012

Magnetic field, mantle convection and tectonics

A study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that rapid mantle convection may influence the Earth's magnetic field, which is produced by convection currents in the liquid core. The research team found that changes in heat flow and density distribution in the mantle could lead to more frequent or less frequent geomagnetic reversals.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 29, 2012

Cutting the graphene cake

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a side-view imaging technique to visualize individual graphene layers in devices, finding that structures are remarkably stable even with multiple layers. This achievement has significant implications for the engineering of graphene-based computer chips.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 29, 2012

Cloud seeds and ozone holes

A team of scientists discovered that cloud seeds can pick up molecules even when they don't collide directly with the clusters. The finding has significant implications for understanding atmospheric chemistry processes such as ozone depletion.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 28, 2012

The seat of meta-consciousness in the brain

Researchers have identified a specific cortical network in the brain that becomes active when lucid dreamers become aware of their dreaming state. This network, including the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontopolar regions, is associated with self-reflective functions and has been linked to consciousness development.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalSLEEP·DateJul 27, 2012

Computers can predict effects of HIV policies

A computer program calibrated to model accurately HIV spread in NYC predicts significant reduction in infection rate with comprehensive intervention strategies. The model simulates individual behavior and transmission networks, providing detailed examination of how interventions affect the epidemic.

'Diving board' sensors key to DNA detection

Researchers at Drexel University have developed a sensor technology that can detect DNA in liquid samples, allowing for quick identification of harmful cells and bacteria. The 'diving board' sensors use electric current to measure the vibration frequency of a cantilever, enabling sensitive and timely tests.