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Science News Archive April 2012


Page 1 of 29

Starting a family does not encourage parents to eat healthier

A longitudinal study found that parenthood does not significantly improve parents' diets compared to non-parents, with both groups showing similar decreases in saturated fat intake and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption over time. However, parents lag behind their childless counterparts in making healthier dietary changes.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateApr 30, 2012

Modern hybrid corn makes better use of nitrogen, study shows

A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that modern hybrid corn varieties are more efficient in using nitrogen, producing more grain per pound of accumulated nitrogen. Grain yields have increased by an average of 28 bushels per acre over the past 21 years, despite a slight increase in total nitrogen uptake.

SourcePurdue University·JournalField Crops Research·DateApr 30, 2012

Electric charge disorder: A key to biological order?

Researchers discovered that random patches of disordered electric charges can induce a twisting force strong enough to affect biological objects at nanometers or micrometers away. This phenomenon could help understand patterns in biology, such as lock and key interactions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateApr 30, 2012

Prenatal exposure to insecticide chlorpyrifos linked to alterations in brain structure and cognition

A new study finds that prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos may lead to long-term changes in brain structure, potentially resulting in cognitive deficits. The study used MRI to evaluate the brains of 40 New York City children and found associations between higher exposure levels and brain anomalies.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2012

Researchers develop rapid test strips for bacterial contamination in swimming water

Researchers at McMaster University have developed rapid testing method using paper strip to detect E. coli in recreational water within minutes, improving public safety and closing the gap between outbreaks and detection. The test strips can detect potentially harmful concentrations of E. coli with much greater accuracy than existing p...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·DateApr 30, 2012

Maintaining bridges on a budget

Concordia engineers develop a decision-making approach that considers factors like traffic, drainage system efficiency and seismic risk to prioritize bridge maintenance. The new method has the potential to reduce costs by avoiding costly repairs later on and promoting sustainability.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Journal of Civil Engineering·DateApr 30, 2012

Equal access to care helps close survival gap for young African-American cancer patients

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found no significant difference in survival rates between African-American and white children treated for virtually all cancers during a 15-year period. The study suggests equal access to comprehensive treatment translates into equally good outcomes, closing the racial survival gap.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 30, 2012

Scientists uncover exciting lead into premature aging and heart disease

Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology found that reducing SUN1 levels in mouse models doubled the life spans of those with progeria and tripled it for those with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. This discovery opens up a possibility for therapeutic use of reduced SUN1 levels for other forms of heart disease.

Vitamin D supplements may protect against viral infections during the winter

Research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that vitamin D supplementation can strengthen innate immunity against viral infections. The study found that vitamin D insufficiency is associated with impaired immune function and lower levels of toll-like receptor 7, which regulates immune responses to viruses.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateApr 30, 2012

Keep your fruit close and your vegetables closer

A recent study published in Environment and Behavior found that placing fruit and vegetable bowls near participants increases the likelihood of eating them. However, this effect is more pronounced for fruits due to their natural sweetness, which stimulates brain reward regions.

SourceSAGE·JournalEnvironment and Behavior·DateApr 30, 2012

JCI early table of contents for April 30, 2012

Researchers found that PAX5 stabilizes MYC protein levels in B cells, correlating with poor patient survival. Additionally, STIM1 regulates calcium signaling to control fat preference, while IL-12 production is decreased in diabetic patients with increased infection risk.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 30, 2012

Superconducting strip could become an ultra-low-voltage sensor

Researchers observed an intermittent motion of magnetic flux in a superconducting strip, resulting in alternating static and dynamic phases with zero and non-zero voltage peaks. The study's findings have potential applications for gate devices controlling on/off states in electrical systems.

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

How human cells 'hold hands'

A team of University of Iowa researchers found that a lack of gamma-protocadherin cell adhesion molecules in the cerebral cortex disrupts neural circuitry formation. This discovery may help understand causes of human developmental disorders like autism, mental retardation, and schizophrenia.

Conquering LED efficiency droop

Researchers from California and Japan have devised a new LED design that avoids efficiency droop, a major problem limiting solid-state lighting growth. The breakthrough could lead to more energy-efficient and affordable LED lighting, with potential applications in household bulbs.

SourceOptica·DateApr 30, 2012

Poorer quality of life for gay men and minorities after prostate cancer treatment: What are we missing?

A literature review highlights the need for a tailored approach to improving quality of life in subpopulations, including African Americans, Latin Americans, Asians, and men who have sex with men. The authors emphasize the importance of considering demographic, socioeconomic, and sexual preference factors in treatment decision-making.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalNature Reviews Urology·DateApr 30, 2012

Researchers develop new method to measure IT quality

A new method to measure IT quality has been proposed by researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Management. The Quality Distinction (QD) Capability Model offers a more reliable understanding of IT capabilities by acknowledging the importance of regularly evaluating and adapting development and delivery processes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalIEEE Transactions on Engineering Management·DateApr 30, 2012