Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2012 - Page 5


Page 5 of 24

Why our backs can't read braille

Researchers created stunning images of branching patterns of individual sensory nerve cells, defining ten distinct groups that likely correspond to differences in what the nerves do. The branching patterns can help scientists make sense of known responses to stimulation of the skin and may hold clues for pain management.

Around 2 queries a week to UK poisons service concern...snakebites

Every week, the UK National Poisons Information Service receives around two phone queries about snakebites, with over half of these enquiries concerning the European adder, the only poisonous snake native to the UK. Snakebite injuries can be serious due to their effects on the heart and other organs, despite being rarely fatal.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateDec 19, 2012

Not without my microbes

A comprehensive study found that adult beetles of the European forest cockchafer species house the same microbial species as larvae, despite metamorphosing from one stage to another. The microbes include clostridia and other bacterial species that aid in digesting plant materials.

New study sheds light on dinosaur size

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dinosaurs have a greater number of larger species compared to all other back-boned animals. The researchers analyzed the femur bone length and weight of 329 dinosaur species, suggesting that young dinosaurs occupied a different ecological niche than their parents.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Regular family meals together boost kids' fruit and vegetable intake

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that children who ate family meals with their parents consumed more fruit and vegetables, reaching recommended daily targets. Those who always ate together had higher nutrient intake than those who sometimes or never did so.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateDec 19, 2012

Soybeans a source of valuable chemical

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new process to convert soybean byproducts into succinic acid, a valuable chemical used in various industries. The process uses genetically modified E. coli bacteria to metabolize soluble carbohydrates from soybeans, achieving a high yield and a 1:1 ratio of feedstock to product.

SourceRice University·JournalBioresource Technology·DateDec 19, 2012

Robotic-assisted radical bladder surgery potentially benefits bladder cancer patients

A new study published in the Journal of Urology found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) resulted in decreased estimated blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared to open radical cystectomy (ORC) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. RARC also showed a trend towards faster return of bowel func...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateDec 19, 2012

Geo-engineering against climate change

A new study calculates the impact of ocean iron fertilization on carbon sequestration, finding that it is unlikely to be an effective method for reducing greenhouse gas levels. The study estimates a net sequestration rate of just 10 tonnes of carbon per square kilometer, making it a costly and inefficient solution.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Warming·DateDec 19, 2012