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Science News Archive January 2012 - Page 15


Page 15 of 24

Realising the public health benefits of policies to tackle health security and other risks of mass gatherings -- a call to action

The paper outlines research priorities to develop effective policies and planning for mass gatherings, highlighting the need for evidence-based mitigation measures. The authors propose five key public health research directions to control public health emergencies and reduce adverse health consequences.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 15, 2012

Mass gatherings offer unique opportunities to communicate public health messages about infectious disease threats and promote interventions to benefit global health

Mass gatherings provide a unique opportunity to promote vaccination and reduce the spread of infectious diseases, as seen in outbreaks at World Youth Day and music festivals. Coordinated risk assessment and management are key to preventing disease transmission during and after events.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 15, 2012

Fly named in honor of Beyonce

A new species of horse fly, Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, has been discovered in Australia and named after Beyoncé. The fly's golden abdomen makes it a unique specimen. Horse flies are important pollinators of plants, acting like hummingbirds during the day.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalAustralian Journal of Entomology·DateJan 13, 2012

Keeping an eye on the Universe

The CalTech-led Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey has released a massive dataset of 200 million celestial objects, including stars, supernovae, and asteroids. This unprecedented data set will enable scientists to study the evolution of stars, massive black holes, and the structure of the Milky Way.

Energy-saving chaperon Hsp90

Researchers from TUM proved that Hsp90 utilizes thermal fluctuations as the driving force for its conformational changes. Key findings show that the chaperone protein is highly flexible and can switch between conformations using random environmental collisions, saving valuable ATP energy.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 13, 2012

Surprising results from smoke inhalation study

A Loyola University Chicago study discovered that patients who died from smoke inhalation injuries had lower inflammatory responses in their lungs compared to those who survived. Researchers found that immune system modulators were present at lower concentrations in the lungs of deceased patients, contradicting expectations.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Burn Care & Research·DateJan 13, 2012

Contracts in the classroom

A new study found that a contract grading system leads to higher grades and higher student satisfaction compared to traditional points-based courses. Students who signed a contract aimed for a specific grade and completed more assignments received better grades, indicating increased motivation and engagement.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateJan 13, 2012

Graphene quantum dots: The next big small thing

A Rice University-led team discovered a one-step chemical process to create graphene quantum dots from carbon fiber. The sub-5 nanometer carbon-based quantum dots are highly soluble and have controllable size, with potential for biomedical imaging, protein analysis, and cell tracking.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 12, 2012

Optical nanoantennas enable efficient multipurpose particle manipulation

Researchers at University of Illinois have demonstrated the use of arrays of gold Bowtie Nanoantenna Arrays for multipurpose optical trapping and manipulation of submicrometer- to micrometer-sized objects. This enables highly efficient, optical tweezers with low-input power densities, useful for optofluidic applications and manipulatin...

In tackling lead pollution, fungi may be our friends

Researchers found that fungi can transform lead into pyromorphite, a more stable mineral form, which could be useful for cleaning up lead-polluted sites. The discovery suggests that introducing fungi may be a viable treatment option for containing lead in contaminated soils.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 12, 2012

Don't know much about charter schools

Researchers argue that most charter school studies use unsophisticated methods, failing to account for differences in student backgrounds and academic histories. Lottery-based studies suggest charters perform as well as traditional public schools, but these findings are limited by low representation rates. Value-added research is propo...

Girl power surges in India

A Northwestern University study shows that India's affirmative action law for village councils has a positive impact on young women's aspirations and behavior. The law gave girls direct role models, leading to increased attendance at school and reduced household chores, as well as improved attitudes toward higher education goals.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2012