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Science News for April 19, 2012


Modest alcohol consumption lowers risk and severity of liver disease

Research published in The Journal of Hepatology found that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the risk and severity of liver disease in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD). Patients with NALFD who consume two drinks or less daily are half as likely to develop hepatitis as non-drinkers, experiencing less severe l...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 19, 2012

Defending against chemical acts of terrorism

Researchers have discovered a new and improved version of an enzyme that can detoxify deadly nerve agents, such as sarin. The PON1 variant shows 40-3,400-fold higher efficiency in metabolizing the three most toxic G-type nerve agents.

SourceCell Press·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateApr 19, 2012

Study: No link between depression, nasal obstruction

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital conducted a retrospective review of 437 patients who underwent surgery for septal deviation. The study found that despite a higher prevalence of co-morbid mood disorders in surgical failures, there was no significant correlation between depression and nasal obstruction symptoms or treatment outcomes.

Big doses of vitamin C may lower blood pressure

A review of 29 clinical trials found that taking an average of 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimeters of mercury in the short term. However, more research is needed to understand its implications as a treatment for high blood pressure.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateApr 19, 2012

$3.5 million grant helps teachers help students

A new study will test a professional development program called CARE for Teachers, which aims to enhance teachers' social and emotional competence. The program provides emotion skills instruction, mindfulness practices, and caring techniques to promote empathy and compassion in the classroom.

Study: Insomnia takes toll on tinnitus patients

A new study from Henry Ford Hospital found a significant association between insomnia and the severity of perceived tinnitus symptoms. Patients with insomnia reported greater emotional distress from tinnitus, highlighting the need for evaluation and treatment of insomnia patients to reduce tinnitus symptom severity.

Exploring Earth: From surface to sea

Researchers used gravity and seismic geophysical methods to study the San Juan volcanic field in Colorado, revealing new constraints on its development. In Alaska, subducting plate geology was studied during three great earthquake ruptures, providing insights into tsunamis and future earthquake hazards.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateApr 19, 2012

Study finds cancer-fighting goodness in cholesterol

Researchers at Simon Fraser University found that cholesterol-binding proteins called ORPs can control cell growth, potentially slowing down cancer cells. Genetic changes blocked the ability of these proteins to bind cholesterol, but altered ORPs actually stimulated cell growth by activating regulator proteins.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 19, 2012

Most detailed maps yet of Africa's groundwater

The study estimates the total volume of groundwater in Africa to be around 0.66 million km3, sufficient for hand pumps to supply drinking water in many populated areas. However, high-yielding boreholes are limited to specific regions, and a careful approach is needed to ensure successful development.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateApr 19, 2012

Female prisoners more obese than general female population except in UK, whereas male prisoners are on average slimmer than the general male population

A systematic analysis of prison populations worldwide shows that female prisoners are more obese than the general female population apart from in the UK, while male prisoners are slimmer. The study highlights the importance of addressing public health risk factors in vulnerable populations.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 19, 2012

Kidney care reports don't line up with care billed by physicians

A study found that information on a mandatory Medicare form regarding kidney disease patients' care doesn't accurately reflect the actual care billed by physicians. The report's accuracy varies by patient characteristics and declines over time, emphasizing the need for improved reporting to ensure public health surveillance and planning.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 19, 2012

New stem cell found in the brain

Researchers at Lund University have identified a new stem cell in the adult brain that can proliferate and form several different cell types, including new brain cells. The discovery has great potential for developing methods to heal and repair brain injury and disease.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 19, 2012

Inequality and investment bubbles

Research by physics professor Victor Yakovenko links income inequality with bursting financial bubbles. He models income distribution using statistical physics, finding a long tail in the upper 3% of incomes that correlates with investment downturns.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateApr 19, 2012

Finding the roots and early branches of the tree of life

A study in PLOS Computational Biology reconstructs the complete early evolutionary history of biological carbon-fixation. The researchers identified an early form of carbon fixation that achieved built-in robustness, allowing early life to compensate for internal chemistry issues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 19, 2012

Swallowing exercises can help patients with head and neck cancer

A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery suggests that targeted swallowing exercises can alleviate debilitating side effects in people undergoing chemoradiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Patients who performed five targeted swallowing exercises throughout their CRT showed significantly better scores...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateApr 19, 2012

Study: Optimizing biofuel supply chain is a competitive game

Researchers developed models to address complex interactions among multiple stakeholders in the biofuel supply chain. They found that diverting corn crops to ethanol can affect food prices, but overall system welfare improves, with farmers as primary beneficiaries. The study's holistic model provides guidelines for optimizing the biofu...

Political blogging on the right and the left

A new study published in the American Behavioral Scientist found that left-wing blogs are more collaborative and less individualistic than right-wing blogs. Left-wing blogs incorporate more user activity, authorship, and calls to action, while right-wing blogs tend to be more hierarchical and rely on external sources.

SourceSAGE·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateApr 19, 2012