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Science News Archive December 2012


Page 1 of 24

Did Lucy walk, climb, or both?

A study published in PNAS found that modern humans with feet adapted for terrestrial bipedalism can still climb trees effectively. Researchers observed extreme dorsiflexion and longer muscle fibers in climbing individuals, challenging the idea that a terrestrially adapted foot excludes arboreal behavior.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 31, 2012

Jackson Laboratory researchers provide definitive proof for receptor's role in synapse development

Researchers have provided definitive evidence that NMDAR receptors are crucial for pruning synapses in newborn mammals' brains. This discovery sheds new light on the neural basis of autism and schizophrenia. The study used a mouse model with brain cells lacking or containing NMDARs to demonstrate the receptor's direct role in synaptic ...

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 31, 2012

Bird watching brings new discoveries

A recent study used bird watching records to build the first bird watching database in China, finding new national-level records and a trend of species moving to higher latitude and elevation regions. The database provides valuable data for scientific research on ecosystem health and biodiversity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateDec 31, 2012

Tumor boards linked to little association with effects on cancer care

A recent study found that tumor boards have a modest association with the types of treatments patients receive for certain cancers. For example, lung cancer and prostate cancer patients were more likely to receive higher-quality care when treated at hospitals with tumor boards. However, other types of cancer care remained unaffected by...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 28, 2012

Penn team mimicking a natural defense against malaria to develop new treatments

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a powerful new weapon against malaria by mimicking a natural defense found in human blood platelets. They discovered that a synthetic molecule, PMX1207, targets and destroys the parasite's digestive vacuole, killing it without harming the host cell.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateDec 27, 2012

Staphylococcus aureus: Why it just gets up your nose!

Researchers identified the mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus colonizes nasal passages, finding that Clumping factor B (ClfB) binds to skin protein loricrin with high affinity. This interaction is crucial for successful colonization and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 27, 2012

Disease burden links ecology to economic growth

A new study links vector-borne diseases to economic development across the globe, finding that these diseases have a substantial effect on income between tropical and temperate countries. The study's results suggest that infectious diseases can undermine economic growth similarly to crime or government corruption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 27, 2012

For pre-teens, kindness may be key to popularity

Research published in PLOS ONE found that kids who perform acts of kindness are happier and find greater acceptance among their peers. Kind acts, such as giving someone lunch or visiting a pleasant place, increased children's well-being and improved their relationships with classmates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2012

New technique catalogs lymphoma-linked genetic variations

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a novel approach to sorting out cancer-causing genetic mutations in cancer cells. By testing proteins produced by genes with random mutations, they created a catalog of mutants with cancer-promoting potential. This could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateDec 26, 2012