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Science News for December 17, 2012


Adhesion disturbed by noise

Researchers found that adding noise to a micro-textured surface can lower the energy barrier for an object to roll, mimicking gecko feet's adhesive properties. This study could lead to applications in gecko-inspired adhesives, tire adhesion, and digital operations.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 17, 2012

Duke Medicine News new immune therapy successfully treats brain tumors in mice

Researchers at Duke Medicine have developed an artificial protein that stimulates the body's natural immune system to fight cancer. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the therapy was shown to cure brain tumors in six out of eight mice, with no harm to surrounding normal tissue.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2012

Univ. of MD School of Medicine to study drug-resistant malaria in Myanmar

The University of Maryland School of Medicine is launching a study on drug-resistant malaria in Myanmar, using new genetic markers to track the spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria. The researchers aim to develop tests to identify and monitor the disease, which has caused significant treatment failures in Southeast Asia.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2012

New type of cell division discovered

Researchers have discovered a new type of cell division called klerokinesis, which appears to be an evolutionary failsafe mechanism that could rescue cell functions during embryonic development. By analyzing human retinal pigment epithelial cells, the team found that klerokinesis can help maintain genomic integrity and potentially prev...

Surviving sepsis with LECT2

A recent study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine found that patients with sepsis had abnormally low levels of the inflammatory protein LECT2. Injecting LECT2 into septic mice promoted bacterial clearance by immune cells and increased their production of survival-promoting factors.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateDec 17, 2012

Flexing fingers for micro-robotics: Berkeley Lab scientists create a powerful, microscale actuator

Researchers developed an elegant and powerful new microscale actuator based on vanadium dioxide material, which expands and contracts in response to temperature variations. The actuators are smaller than human hair width and offer large force and displacement, suitable for biological and microfluidic applications.

Genetic manipulation of urate alters neurodegeneration in mouse model of Parkinson's disease

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that mice with elevated urate levels showed significantly less neurodegeneration and improved movement abnormalities compared to those with low urate levels. The results support the possibility that increasing urate levels may slow progression of Parkinson's disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2012

Hair care issues contribute to exercise barriers for African-American women

A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reveals that hair care complications are a primary factor deterring African-American women from exercising. The research found that over 40% of respondents reported avoiding exercise due to hair-related issues, with many using heat straighteners or chemical products to style their hair.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateDec 17, 2012

Farm soil determines environmental fate of phosphorous

A new study by Brown University finds that farm soils mediate the environmental consequences of modern farming, particularly with phosphorus, a key agricultural nutrient. The research compares soybean production in US, Brazil, and Argentina, revealing how soil type and management impact phosphorus usage and environmental pollution.

SourceBrown University·JournalBioScience·DateDec 17, 2012

Following Phragmites home

Researchers mapped large stands of invasive Phragmites along the US Great Lakes coastline using satellite technologies. The resulting dataset provides a highly accurate picture of the extent of Phragmites invasion, allowing for targeted control efforts and future range extension modeling.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateDec 17, 2012

Preventive detention for oxidizing agents

Researchers discover that cells under oxidative stress deposit oxidized glutathione in a cellular waste repository called the vacuole, protecting themselves from damage. This finding challenges previous assumptions about oxidative stress and its link to various diseases.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 17, 2012

Injured coral? Expect less sex

Research found that injured coral colonies in The Bahamas still produced low numbers of eggs four years after damage, and sperm-producing factories were also scarce. This suggests that damaged corals may divert resources away from reproduction towards growth and injury repair.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateDec 17, 2012

PRT versus IMRT toxicity in Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found no significant difference in toxicity between proton radiotherapy (PRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) among Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer at 12 months post-treatment. Despite its widespread use, PRT's benefits and harms remain unknown.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 17, 2012

Study estimates prevalence of pediatric caustic ingestion injuries

A study estimates the prevalence of pediatric caustic ingestion injuries to be around 807 children per year, resulting in a significant economic burden of nearly $23 million. Legislative measures such as labeling requirements for caustic substances have contributed to a decline in injury rates over the years.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateDec 17, 2012

Plant sniffs out danger to prepare defenses against pesky insect

Researchers at Penn State discovered that plants can detect and respond to insect odors, leading to improved defenses. The tall goldenrod plant's ability to sense the sex attractant emitted by male flies makes it less appealing to female flies, reducing damage and increasing seed quality.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2012

Harnessing the ID in glioma

Researchers found ID proteins essential for retaining glioma-initiating cells in a specific extracellular niche, maintaining their cancer-promoting properties. The study's results suggest ID proteins as potential therapeutic targets for glioma treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 17, 2012

Speaking skills crucial for hearing impaired children in the classroom

Research suggests that speaking skills play a vital role in closing the gap between hearing-impaired and normal-hearing children in the classroom. Children with better speech intelligibility exhibit higher social competence and reduced feelings of loneliness, according to Tel Aviv University researcher Prof. Tova Most.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalThe Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education·DateDec 17, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 17, 2012

Researchers identified ID proteins as regulators of glioma progression and potential therapeutic targets. In contrast, the loss of TREM-1 increased inflammation and worsened lung infection outcomes in mice. Additionally, breast cancer cells interact with stroma to drive metastasis through HIF-dependent signaling pathways.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 17, 2012

New form of cell division found

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered a new form of cell division called klerokinesis, which helps prevent faulty cell division leading to cancer. In experiments with human cells, they observed that cells with extra chromosomes could recover normal sets through klerokinesis, potentially lowering cancer incidence.

AGU: Journal highlights 17 Dec., 2012

Researchers detect volcanic carbon monoxide emissions via satellite sensors, estimating a global emission of approximately 5.5 teragrams per year. Antarctic sea ice thickness affects algae populations, with varying seasonal patterns and relationships between surface, interior, and underside layers.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 17, 2012

Chronic worriers at higher risk for PTSD

A recent study published in Psychological Medicine found that individuals with chronic anxiety are more vulnerable to developing PTSD. The research analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and found that those who scored higher on neuroticism as the study began were more likely to develop PTSD.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateDec 17, 2012

Rice University opens new window on Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new way to monitor protein aggregation in living cells, which could lead to the development of drugs that break up fibrils. The metallic probe, made of ruthenium, binds with misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins and can be tracked using photoluminescence spectroscopy.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 17, 2012

What's in a genome?

A whole-genome sequence of the fruit fly Drosophila mauritiana has been completed, revealing high genetic diversity across its chromosomes. The researchers identified two large regions with conserved sequences and propose that these may be the result of intragenomic conflict, potentially acting as 'speciation genes'.

Is the US health care system a target for cyberterrorism?

The US healthcare system is a $2.5 trillion industry heavily reliant on the internet, making it a target for cyberterrorism. Experts predict a wave-like attack that could leave staff untrusting of electronic data and demoralize IT teams. To protect itself, the healthcare system must remain vigilant and implement better security measures.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateDec 17, 2012

Should physicians prescribe cognitive enhancers to healthy individuals?

A Canadian medical journal report argues that physicians should consider refusing to prescribe cognitive enhancers to healthy people. The authors suggest that the risks and regulations of prescription drugs outweigh the potential benefits of enhanced mental performance, which are uncertain and may not be achieved with these substances.

SourceInstitut de recherches cliniques de Montreal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateDec 17, 2012

Bullying by childhood peers leaves a trace that can change the expression of a gene linked to mood

A study by Isabelle Ouellet-Morin found that bullying by peers alters the structure surrounding a gene involved in mood regulation, making victims more vulnerable to mental health problems. The research suggests that victimization experiences in childhood can change not only stress response but also gene functioning related to mood.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateDec 17, 2012

Food insecurity predicts mental health problems in adolescents

A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that food insecurity is strongly associated with adolescent mental disorders. The study examined 6,483 adolescents aged 13-17 years and found that a one standard deviation increase in food insecurity was linked to a 14% increased odds ...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 17, 2012

'Mind the gap!'

The Natura 2000 network's effectiveness in covering European species is evaluated, with mixed results. The analysis shows that the network mostly covers target species but has gaps in representation, especially for narrow-ranged species.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalNature Conservation·DateDec 17, 2012

UH Case Medical Center & Reach Ventures form Socrates Analytics to market hospital data software

Socrates Analytics provides a cloud-based software program that collects, standardizes, analyzes, and reports on disparate hospital billing, administrative, and operating room data. This enables hospitals to interpret complex administrative data, view trends, outliers, and variability in care processes, ultimately improving efficiency ...