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Science News for February 7, 2012


Pneumonia wonder drug: Zinc saves lives

A new study published in BMC Medicine found that zinc supplements drastically improved children's survival rates from pneumonia when used alongside standard antibiotic therapy. The treatment was especially effective for HIV-infected children, who saw a 26-fold increase in survival rate.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2012

Scripps research and technion scientists develop biological computer to encrypt and decipher images

Researchers have created a biological computer that uses biomolecules to decipher images encrypted on DNA chips, showcasing the potential for a new type of computing system. The device, based on Alan Turing's design, can process vast amounts of information in parallel, making it faster than traditional electronic computers.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 7, 2012

More focus on men needed in HIV prevention

Research suggests that men in sub-Saharan Africa receive fewer HIV services, leading to worse health outcomes. Efforts to engage men in HIV prevention and care are crucial to addressing these disparities and ensuring a more balanced approach to gender in the fight against AIDS.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2012

Scientists 'record' magnetic breakthrough

A team of international scientists has developed a new way of magnetic recording that uses only heat to process information hundreds of times faster than current hard drive technology. This breakthrough could make future magnetic recording devices significantly faster and more energy-efficient.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2012

Carbonized coffee grounds remove foul smells

Researchers at City College of New York develop an eco-friendly filter to remove hydrogen sulfide gas from the air, using carbonized coffee grounds. The activated carbon boosts its smell-fighting power with nitrogen from caffeine, capturing pollutants like H2S and potentially separating other toxic substances.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateFeb 7, 2012

Justifying insurance coverage for orphan drugs

The article proposes an ethical framework to guide coverage decisions for expensive orphan drugs, considering the tension between saving lives and avoiding unfair advantages to identifiable patients. It suggests evaluating potential health gains in context and weighing opportunity costs to determine acceptable expenditure.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateFeb 7, 2012

Not the black sheep of domestic animals

A study mapping sheep ancestry over 11,000 years reveals vast genetic diversity and adaptability to diverse environments. The research provides insights into the evolution of selective breeding for traits such as coat color and body size.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 7, 2012

Comparing yourself to others can have health impacts

Researchers found that comparing downward to others who are worse off can lead to immediate positive feelings, while upward comparisons may improve physical health measures and hope for improvement. However, the effects can be negative in both cases, highlighting the need for better understanding of social comparison dynamics.

SourcePenn State·JournalHealth Psychology Review·DateFeb 7, 2012

A therapist in your pocket

Researchers at Northwestern University are developing novel technologies to treat depression and other mood disorders using smartphones, web-based platforms, and virtual human coaches. These innovative approaches aim to provide immediate support, increase accessibility, and reduce costs.

New insights into how to correct false knowledge

Researchers at Duke University found that correcting false knowledge requires providing students with feedback, which enables them to identify errors and learn correct information. Students who received feedback were more likely to correct their mistakes in the short-term, but also more likely to forget the correct answer if they didn'...

SourceDuke University·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateFeb 7, 2012

Teenage pregnancy is not a racial issue

Researchers Lorette I. Winters and Paul C. Winters found that while black teens are twice as likely to be pregnant, rates for minor whites have increased and surpassed those of poor black minors. In better economies, the difference between black and white teen pregnancies nearly disappears.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateFeb 7, 2012

Warning! Collision imminent!

Researchers at McGill University discovered how the brain processes visual information to detect motion and collisions. Using mathematical models and recording techniques, they found that specific neurons in the brain's visual cortex respond selectively to motion patterns.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2012

Innovation promises expanded roles for microsensors

The new approach allows for reliable sensing with compact devices, opening up potential applications in national security, food processing, breath analyzers, industrial monitoring, and more. Researchers have improved the performance of microsensors using tiny vibrating microcantilevers to detect chemical and biological agents.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Microelectromechanical Systems·DateFeb 7, 2012