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Science News Archive 2012 - Page 42


Page 42 of 333

Terminally ill cancer patients who discuss end-of-life care early can avoid aggressive treatment

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that patients who discussed end-of-life care several months before their death were less likely to receive aggressive therapy and more likely to enter hospice care. These conversations enabled patients to think through their options more carefully, leading to better quality ...

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateNov 13, 2012

Better ways to monitor quality of care for newborns

Experts in PLOS Medicine recommend new signal functions to track the quality of routine and emergency newborn care. The new methods aim to improve maternal and newborn care in low- and middle-income countries, helping to meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 13, 2012

It pays to cooperate

In a study, MIT physicists found that cooperative yeast members outperform cheaters when competing with bacteria in an experimental setup. This is because cooperators have easier access to sugars and can spread less due to population density constraints.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateNov 13, 2012

Advocacy for planned home birth not in patients' best interest

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology challenges the benefits of planned home birth, citing higher rates of unexpected complications, emergency transports, and perinatal mortality. The authors argue that a hospital-based approach can provide a safer and more satisfying experience for patients.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateNov 13, 2012

For brain tumors, origins matter

Sanford-Burnham researchers found that different brain tumor cell types respond to distinct treatments due to varying growth factor regulation. This discovery offers potential for more effective and less harmful treatments tailored to individual tumors.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalOncogene·DateNov 13, 2012

Do consumers evaluate cell phones differently if the warranty is expressed in years or days?

A recent study found that consumers tend to favor warranties expressed in standard units, such as years. When presented with alternative units, like days, consumers' evaluations of cell phone warranties were negatively impacted. This shift in perception occurred mainly when individual products were shown in isolation.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 13, 2012

Powering lasers through heat

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck propose a novel method for powering lasers through heat, which could provide internal cooling and revolutionize microchip technology. The concept involves using temperature gradients to separate cold and warm areas in the laser, allowing for efficient energy transfer.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 13, 2012

Cancer: Exercise reduces tiredness

Aerobic exercise can help relieve fatigue associated with cancer and treatment, balancing rest with physical activity may reduce fatigue. The new review adds 28 studies, including those in breast cancer patients, showing that aerobic exercise benefits those with solid tumours during and after treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateNov 13, 2012

G proteins regulate remodelling of blood vessels

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have discovered how external signals regulate vascular remodelling through G protein-mediated signalling pathways. These pathways work together in other contexts but act as antagonists in blood vessel remodelling, balancing cell growth and regression.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 13, 2012

Can the addition of radiolabeled treatments improve outcomes in advanced metastatic disease?

Researchers explored the benefits of adding radionuclide therapy to cancer treatment regimens for patients with advanced disease. Studies found improved tumor control rates and longer patient survival without significant side effects, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in cancer control.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals·DateNov 13, 2012

Less of a shock

Researchers have developed a low-energy defibrillation scheme that significantly reduces the energy needed to re-establish a normal rhythm in the heart's main chambers. This novel electrotherapy could be less painful than existing implantable defibrillators and may even fall beneath the threshold at which patients begin to perceive pain.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 13, 2012

New study examines how health affects happiness

A new study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that disease disrupts daily functioning is associated with reduced happiness. The study used a direct measure of disability and found a three-percent reduction in unhappiness for every one-point increase in freedom-from-debility score.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateNov 13, 2012

Fast food menu options double; calorie counts remain high

A study by Temple University found that fast food menus have doubled in size, but calorie counts have changed little between 1997 and 2010. The average calorie content of foods offered by major U.S. fast food restaurants remained stable, while entree salads and sweetened teas became increasingly popular additions to the menus.

SourceTemple University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 13, 2012

Study shows veterans are becoming more segregated in the US

A study by Jay Teachman found that veteran populations are becoming more concentrated in rural areas surrounding military bases. This has led to a decrease in contact between veteran and non-veteran populations, with the proportion of veterans in America declining by an average of 15.54% since 2000.

SourceSAGE·JournalArmed Forces & Society·DateNov 12, 2012

Genetic link between pancreatitis and alcohol consumption, says Pitt team

Researchers identified a genetic variant on chromosome X that predicts high-risk men who drink heavily are at risk for developing chronic pancreatitis. The discovery enables doctors to identify patients with early signs of pancreatitis or acute attacks, allowing them to take preventative action and give the pancreas a chance to heal.

Bringing measuring accuracy to radical treatment

Researchers at Ghent University have developed a simplified model to measure the absolute density of OH radicals in plasma, improving the accuracy of radical treatment for medical applications. This breakthrough could stimulate tissue regeneration and induce targeted antiseptic effects without harming neighboring tissues.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateNov 12, 2012

Job stress and mental health problems contribute to higher rates of physician suicide

A new study from the University of Michigan found that physicians who commit suicide often have known mental health problems but fail to seek treatment due to stigma and lack of confidentiality. The study highlights the need for greater effort to address job stress, under-diagnosis, and treatment of depression among physicians.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalGeneral Hospital Psychiatry·DateNov 12, 2012

Surveying Earth's interior with atomic clocks

Scientists propose using ultraprecise atomic clocks to directly measure the Earth's true physical form, the geoid, which is currently determined indirectly through satellite tracking. This method has the potential to map the interior of the Earth to great depths, enabling more accurate exploration and discovery of subsurface structures.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalGeophysical Journal International·DateNov 12, 2012

$50 million to speed discoveries for patients

The ICTS will focus on translating genetic and genomic research into patient care, developing new therapeutics, and disseminating research findings. The grant supports Washington University's strengths in genetic and genomic research and its efforts to advance clinical and translational research.

On the hunt for rare cancer cells

Researchers at MIT developed a microfluidic device that captures circulating tumor cells using DNA 'tentacles' inspired by jellyfish. The device increases flow rates 10 times higher than existing ones, enabling rapid processing of blood samples and potential monitoring of cancer patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2012