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Science News Archive April 2012 - Page 16


Page 16 of 29

Diagnostic yield of colonoscopy for melena after nondiagnostic upper endoscopy is lower than previously reported

A study found the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy for melena after a nondiagnostic upper endoscopy to be 4.8 percent, significantly lower than previously reported. The rate of therapeutic intervention was also very low at 1.7 percent, suggesting that most procedures are diagnostic-only and can be performed on an elective basis.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateApr 17, 2012

A toxic menu

A small marine worm can survive on poisonous carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide thanks to symbiotic bacteria that use these compounds to produce food for the worm. The worm has lost its entire digestive system over millions of years of evolution, relying solely on its symbionts for nutrition.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2012

Kidney cancer patients do better when whole kidney is not removed, U-M study shows

A new University of Michigan study found that patients with early-stage kidney cancer who underwent partial nephrectomy had better survival rates than those who received radical nephrectomy. The study analyzed data from 7,138 Medicare beneficiaries and showed that younger or medically compromised patients benefited most from the less i...

Nanocrystal-coated fibers might reduce wasted energy

Researchers have developed nanocrystal-coated glass fibers that can generate electricity when exposed to heat, potentially recovering 10% of the energy wasted in US industries. The technology also enables solid-state cooling without compressors or refrigerants, making it suitable for use in garments and industrial applications.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 17, 2012

Survey finds errors in Wikipedia articles

A survey of public relations professionals found that 60 percent of articles on their company's clients contained factual errors. The research highlights the need for clear guidelines and consistent rules from Wikipedia regarding factual corrections, as many respondents struggled with engaging editors and securing responses.

AGU journal highlights for April 16, 2012

Scientists have identified active faults in the Pacific Northwest region, which could produce earthquakes with magnitudes between 6 and 6.5. A volcano in Greece has also reawakened, causing significant swelling of the land near the caldera, suggesting an influx of magma into a chamber below the surface.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 16, 2012

Bristol researchers solve 70-year-old mystery

Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the 70-year-old mystery of stipitatic acid synthesis by identifying genes responsible for its production. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding organic chemistry and potentially leads to new drugs with antibacterial and antimalarial properties.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2012

Genetically engineered compound for back pain falls short

A Johns Hopkins-led study found that etanercept, a genetically engineered small-protein drug, does not provide better relief for sciatica back pain compared to steroid injections. In the study, patients who received epidural steroid injections reported more significant pain relief and improved overall symptoms after one month.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 16, 2012

More baby boomers facing old age alone

A study by Bowling Green State University's National Center for Family and Marriage Research found that one-third of adults aged 45-63 are unmarried, with a more than 50% increase since 1980. Single baby boomers face economic and health vulnerabilities, including poverty, disability, and lack of health insurance.

SourceBowling Green State University·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateApr 16, 2012

Pollen levels are rising across Europe

Research led by Prof. Annette Menzel found that airborne pollen concentrations have risen sharply in cities across Europe, particularly in urban areas, where the increase is three percent per year. Climate change and warmer temperatures are seen as key factors driving this trend, with rural areas also expected to be affected.

Target set on cancer gene MCL1

Researchers have developed compounds that repress MCL1's activity and highlighted a companion gene that predicts tumor dependence on the gene. These tools suggest a path toward new therapeutics directed at MCL1, potentially effective in treating tumors where both genes are highly expressed.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 16, 2012

Too much information: When does adding mildly favorable details dilute the big message?

A new study found that people tend to perceive bundles with both highly and mildly favorable components as less valuable than individual items. This 'presenter's paradox' affects product domains such as music and hotel advertisements, leading consumers to overvalue the bundle only when it has a high value component

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 16, 2012