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Science News for December 26, 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

MRI can screen patients for Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a non-invasive MRI-based algorithm to screen patients for Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The method, published in Neurology, accurately differentiated cases 75 percent of the time and showed comparable accuracy to lumbar puncture tests.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateDec 26, 2012

Piranha kin wielded dental weaponry even T. rex would have admired

A team of scientists discovered that the ancient piranha relative Megapiranha paranensis had a bite force that could crush bone and pierce through thick shells, rivaling even the mighty T. rex. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used computer simulations to estimate the bite forces of living and extinct piranhas.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScientific Reports·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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

People with mental disorders more likely to have experienced domestic violence

Research from King's College London reveals that individuals with mental health disorders are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence. Women with depressive disorders were 2.5 times more likely and those with PTSD were 7 times more likely to have been victims compared to women without mental health problems.

SourceKing's College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2012

Kindness key to happiness and acceptance for children

Research from the University of British Columbia found that performing acts of kindness increases peer acceptance and reduces bullying. Students aged 9-11 who participated in kindness activities were happier and selected more classmates to work with.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2012
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Development of new corneal cell line provides powerful tool

Scientists have developed two novel model systems for human corneal endothelium, enabling reliable study of HCEnC cells in health and disease. The new model systems, HCENC-21 and HCEnC-21T, mimic the critical characteristics and functionalities of the tissue in the eye.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2012

Ability to metabolize tamoxifen affects breast cancer outcomes, Mayo Clinic-led study confirms

A new study by researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group found that genetic differences in liver enzyme CYP2D6 play a key role in tamoxifen's effectiveness. Women with altered CYP2D6 enzyme activity had higher rates of breast cancer recurrence and death, while those with normal enzyme activi...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateDec 26, 2012

New MRI method may help diagnose dementia

Researchers developed a new MRI method to predict the ratio of tau and beta-amyloid proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, achieving 75% accuracy in identifying correct diagnoses. The method could be used as a screening tool and help monitor biomarkers over time in clinical trials.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 26, 2012

Benefits of higher oxygen, breathing device persist after infancy

A follow-up study by the National Institutes of Health found that very preterm infants who received higher oxygen levels continued to show cognitive and motor development benefits as toddlers. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy was also found to be an effective alternative to traditional respiratory therapy, without difference...

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 26, 2012
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

New funding to research 'super material' graphene

The UK government has allocated £21.5 million of public funding to commercialize graphene, a 'super material' with exceptional properties. Researchers at Imperial College London will explore ways to apply graphene in aerospace design, medical technologies, and other high-tech industries.

SourceImperial College London·DateDec 26, 2012

Evidence contradicts idea that starvation caused saber-tooth cat extinction

A recent study using dental microwear texture analysis found no evidence of increased starvation in saber-tooth cats before their extinction. Instead, the research suggests that these great cats and American lions were well-fed and actively hunted prey, challenging popular theories on megafaunal extinction.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2012
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Doctors call for evidence-based appropriateness criteria for elective procedures

Experts recommend developing and implementing evidence-based appropriateness criteria to prioritize patients most in need of elective procedures, such as joint replacement surgery. This could help combat increasing healthcare costs while enhancing access and quality, according to Weill Cornell researchers.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 26, 2012

Immune system changes may drive aggressiveness of recurrent tumors

Researchers found that enhanced aggressiveness of recurrent tumors is due to changes in immune response, specifically an increase in regulatory T cells and macrophages protecting tumor cells. Blocking these cells with new drugs could be a promising strategy for patients with recurrent disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2012

Drug shortage linked to greater risk of relapse in young Hodgkin lymphoma patients

A national study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a drug shortage led to a significant increase in cancer relapse rates among pediatric patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. The study revealed an estimated two-year cancer-free survival rate of 88% for patients treated with mechlorethamine, compared to 75% for those treated...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 26, 2012