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Science News for April 30, 2012


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

How does the immune system fight off threats to the brain? New research yields fresh insight

Researchers have discovered that immune cells in the brain use a two-tier approach to combat infections, sending signals to neighboring cells while focusing their attack on infected cells. This finding may help researchers develop new treatments for brain tumors and autoimmune diseases.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2012

Jarid2 may break the Polycomb silence

Researchers found that Jarid2, a component of the Polycomb repressive complex 2, occasionally activates gene expression in fruit fly embryos. This challenges the traditional view of Polycomb proteins as transcriptional repressors, suggesting a more complex role for PRC2 and its components in development and cancer.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateApr 30, 2012

Lymphoma therapy could deliver a double punch

Researchers have discovered a CD19-dependent pathway that contributes to the growth of B cell lymphomas. High levels of CD19 correlate with increased MYC activity, suggesting a new target for therapies currently in clinical trials.

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

Courtship in the cricket world

A new study by the University of Bristol reveals that male tree crickets can change the frequency of their songs with temperature, allowing them to adjust their size. This allows males to increase sound power, which may be linked to attracting mates and disguising their true size.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2012

New research expands understanding of psychoactive medication use among children in foster care

A national study from PolicyLab at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia examines prescription patterns of psychoactive medications in 48 states. The research shows a decline in the use of other psychoactive medications but highlights concerns about the high rates of antipsychotic prescriptions among children in foster care.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateApr 30, 2012

Antimicrobial resistance for common UTI drug increases five fold since 2000

A study of over 12 million bacteria found that E. coli antimicrobial resistance to ciprofloxacin increased five-fold from 2000 to 2010, making treatment more expensive and complex for patients. The lack of new antimicrobial drug development is a major concern, as it may lead to the use of less effective and potentially toxic treatments.

SourceGeorge Washington University Medical Center·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateApr 30, 2012

Darwinian selection continues to influence human evolution

A study analyzing church records of Finnish people from 1760-1849 found significant natural and sexual selection is still taking place in modern humans. The research suggests that men and women are not equally affected by Darwinian selection, with characteristics increasing mating success in men evolving faster.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2012

Redefining time

Researchers successfully sent highly accurate clock signals across hundreds of kilometers using optical fiber links, overcoming challenges to transmit stable signals over long distances. The achievement brings scientists closer to redefining the second and enabling ultra-precise navigation and other applications.

SourceOptica·DateApr 30, 2012

The antibiotic, amoxicillin-clavulanate, before a meal may improve small bowel motility

A study found that amoxicillin-clavulanate triggers groups of propagated contractions within the small intestine, improving small bowel transit and influencing gut microbiome. The antibiotic may be effective in patients with alterations of duodenal phase III, chronic symptoms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·DateApr 30, 2012

African-American breast cancer survivors report inadequate information, options, support services

Researchers found that most African-American breast cancer survivors were satisfied with their treatment but lacked access to critical information about treatment options, support services, and clinical trials. Only 62% of women received information about support services, while nearly half said they wanted such services.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAdvances in Breast Cancer Research·DateApr 30, 2012

New study finds gender, racial/ethnic disparities in general surgery board certification

A national cohort of recent medical school graduates revealed significant disparities in general surgery board certification among women and minority groups. The study found that these groups were more likely to leave the surgery workforce or not complete the certification process, impacting patient care and healthcare outcomes.

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