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Science News for April 18, 2012


It's the network!

Researchers at Northwestern University develop a new theory of networks, establishing relationships between disparate topics such as friendship paradoxes and material properties. The study reveals that cascading processes can be controlled and collective behavior depends on network properties, opening new avenues for disease treatment ...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysics Today·DateApr 18, 2012

New findings in breast cancer

A recent study published in PNAS contradicts the prevailing belief that basal-like cells are responsible for invasive tumors. Luminal-like cells, previously thought to lack stem cell properties, have been found to be highly tumorigenic and capable of generating larger tumors than their basal-like counterparts.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2012

Autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplants can reduce diabetic amputations

Researchers found that autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplants can significantly induce vascular growth, reducing the number of amputations in patients with diabetes suffering from critical limb ischemia. The study showed a significant increase in neovasculogenesis and a decrease in PAD mortality.

Genetic similarity promotes cooperation -- new study

Researchers from the University of Leicester discovered a new mechanism for cooperation in simple organisms, where individuals prefer those who resemble themselves. This 'similarity discrimination' effect can evolve quickly and powerfully in many social encounters, solving the long-standing puzzle of natural selection.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalJournal of Theoretical Biology·DateApr 18, 2012

Jellyfish on the rise: UBC study

A global study by University of British Columbia researchers found increasing jellyfish populations in 62% of the world's coastal ecosystems, including East Asia and Antarctica. The study also notes decreases in jellyfish abundance in seven per cent of coastal regions.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalHydrobiologia·DateApr 18, 2012

Meat eating led to earlier weaning, helped humans spread across globe

A recent study found that carnivorous mammals, including humans, tend to have shorter breast-feeding periods than herbivorous or omnivorous species. This may be due to the higher-quality diet that allows for earlier brain development and weaning. The research suggests that meat-eating played a crucial role in human evolution and popula...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 18, 2012

Live fast, die young

A recent study found that plant species living in urban backyards are closer related to each other and live shorter than those in rural areas. The study, conducted by Jeannine Cavender-Bares and Sonja Knapp, analyzed the diversity of plant species in private yards in Minneapolis and compared it to nearby natural ecosystems.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalEcology·DateApr 18, 2012

Carrot but no stick for a healthy child

Norwegian researchers recommend parents provide healthy food options, involve kids in cooking and shopping, and avoid restrictive rules. The study found daily fruit and vegetable consumption among Norwegian children is below recommended levels, sparking concerns.

SourceUniversity of Stavanger·JournalBMC Medical Research Methodology·DateApr 18, 2012

A new kind of quantum junction

Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute successfully demonstrate coherent quantum phase slip (CQPS) in a narrow superconducting wire, shedding light on an elusive phenomenon. This breakthrough enables the development of novel quantum devices that exploit CQPS functionality.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateApr 18, 2012

PRB at Wayne State/DMC discover window of opportunity to prevent cerebral palsy

A new study published in Science Translational Medicine suggests that an anti-inflammatory drug delivered via a nanodevice can improve CP symptoms in animal models. The findings indicate a window of opportunity for postnatal treatment to prevent the condition, with potential implications for future treatments of neurological disorders.

Kidney stone mystery solved

New research reveals that a common genetic variation in claudin-14 increases the risk of kidney stones. The study found that alterations in the gene's activity influence stone development when calcium or salt intake is high, leading to an increase in urine calcium levels.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 18, 2012

Distinct 'God spot' in the brain does not exist, MU researcher says

A recent study by MU researchers suggests that the brain features a complex network of areas responsible for spiritual experiences, rather than a single 'God spot'. The study found that aspects of spiritual functioning are related to increased activity in the frontal lobe and decreased activity in the right parietal lobe.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal for the Psychology of Religion·DateApr 18, 2012

Metal oxides hold the key to cheap, green energy

A new study by Binghamton University researcher Louis Piper reveals that metal oxides can be tailored to meet specific needs, enabling efficient energy generation and flat screen display technology. By adjusting the band gap of these materials, researchers can optimize their electronic properties for various applications.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateApr 18, 2012

Use of speed and ecstasy linked to teen depression

Research of almost 4000 teens in Quebec, Canada found that secondary school kids using speed and ecstasy are prone to subsequent depression. The findings were independent of previous bouts of depressive symptoms or other drug use, suggesting additive or synergistic adverse effects of concurrent use.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateApr 18, 2012

Cod has a key role in the whole Baltic Sea

A study reveals that cod population increases in central Baltic lead to expansion into adjacent marginal systems, impacting local ecosystems through trophic cascades. This phenomenon underscores the importance of linking local and regional processes for ecosystem management.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2012