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Science News Archive January 2012 - Page 18


Page 18 of 24

Boston University School of Medicine researchers clarify link between salt and hypertension

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine debunked the concept that excess salt causes high blood pressure by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system to produce adrenalin, causing artery constriction. The study suggests that diuretics may not be enough to treat hypertension cases associated with renal failure and recommend...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Hypertension·DateJan 11, 2012

Treatment of psoriasis gets new hope

Researchers at Linköping University have identified a new target for treating psoriasis: the psoriasin protein, which stimulates cell division and angiogenesis. By inhibiting psoriasin, they believe they can reduce disease severity and minimize side effects.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment·DateJan 10, 2012

Cosmetic chemical hinders brain development in tadpoles

A new study by Brown University researchers found that exposure to a common cosmetic chemical, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), can disrupt the fine wiring of the nervous system in tadpoles, even at very low concentrations. The study suggests that lower concentrations of MIT may be detrimental to brain development.

SourceBrown University·JournalNeuroscience·DateJan 10, 2012

Changing to a simple oral antibiotic administration programme could enable elimination of neglected yaws disease

A study published in The Lancet shows that a single dose of oral azithromycin is non-inferior to injectable penicillin for treating yaws disease, avoiding equipment and medically trained personnel needs. This finding supports the potential elimination of neglected tropical disease through mass drug administration programs.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2012

Algae for your fuel tank

Researchers at TUM introduce a new catalytic process that effectively converts biopetroleum from microalgae into diesel fuels. The process uses a novel catalyst and achieves the conversion of raw, untreated algae oil under mild conditions, producing diesel-range saturated hydrocarbons suitable for high-grade vehicle fuels.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 10, 2012

How can we improve global access to pain relief?

The authors propose transferring the public health responsibility for controlled medicines from the International Narcotic Control Board to the World Health Organization, citing restrictive drug laws as a major barrier to access. This shift would aim to create better legal frameworks that extricate pain treatment from drug prohibition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 10, 2012

Inflammation may link obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Maternal obesity is associated with increased inflammatory responses in both mother and child, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This includes an increased risk of preeclampsia, respiratory tract infections, and later health issues such as allergic disease and metabolic dysfunction.

SourceIOS Press·JournalAdvances in Neuroimmune Biology·DateJan 10, 2012

War bound to bowl bound

A new study in Armed Forces & Society explores how the US military contributed to the widespread appeal of college football. The research highlights the role of World Wars in bringing about issues like payment of college athletes.

SourceSAGE·JournalArmed Forces & Society·DateJan 10, 2012

Who's wealthy? Beyond net worth, asset and debt levels change our perceptions

A new study in Psychological Science finds that asset and debt levels change perceptions of wealth beyond net worth, with people in debt perceiving themselves wealthier when assets outweigh debt. Participants were asked which person or household was financially better off, and whether they'd borrow to buy something they couldn't pay for.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 10, 2012

UGA study offers hope for hemlock attack

Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that releasing ladybird beetles in the upper crown of infested trees can effectively control hemlock woolly adelgid populations. The study suggests a new approach to managing the invasive pest, which has been killing Eastern hemlocks across the southeastern US.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateJan 10, 2012

Height loss increases risk for fractures and death in older women

A new study published by Kaiser Permanente found that older women who lose more than two inches in height face a higher risk of fractures and death. The research suggests that clinicians should consider bone density testing, counseling, and treatment to help prevent fractures. Women who lost more than two inches in height were 50% more...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJan 10, 2012

Lower risk of death linked with access to key attributes of primary care, UC Davis study shows

A new UC Davis study found that greater access to key attributes of high-quality primary care, including comprehensiveness and patient-centeredness, is associated with lower mortality. The study suggests that providing all Americans with a 'medical home' offering these attributes could yield major public health benefits.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 10, 2012

Healing the iPhone's wounds

A team of researchers from Pitt and UMass proposes a 'repair-and-go' approach to fix malfunctions caused by small-surface cracks on any digital device. This method uses nanoparticles and droplets of oil to repair defects on-site, potentially extending the device's lifetime.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 10, 2012

NSF grant to Wayne State aims to develop new ways to calculate odds of structural failure

A Wayne State University researcher is working on a new method to calculate the odds of structural failure in complex engineering structures. The goal is to achieve greater consistency within a structure while maintaining feasible computational costs. This approach has wide-ranging implications for various fields, including electrical,...

El Gordo -- a 'fat' distant galaxy cluster

A team of astronomers has discovered the largest galaxy cluster ever seen in the distant Universe, nicknamed El Gordo. The cluster consists of two separate subclusters colliding at high speeds and is so far away that its light has travelled for seven billion years to reach Earth.

SourceESO·DateJan 10, 2012

Diabetes study shines spotlight on lifestyle interventions

Researchers analyzed 28 studies on real-world lifestyle interventions for type 2 diabetes prevention and found a significant average weight loss of 4% after one year. The cost-effectiveness of these programs was shown to be comparable to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) trial, making them a viable option for preventing diabetes.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJan 10, 2012

Predators hunt for a balanced diet

Researchers discovered that predators choose diets with optimal balance of protein and fat to produce healthy eggs, outperforming those without nutritional balance. This finding challenges the assumption that predators focus solely on calorie quantity, highlighting their selective eating behavior.

University of Utah, Google seek answers for autism

A workshop program using 3D modeling software SketchUp has shown benefits for children with autism, improving social engagement, self-confidence, and relationships among generations within families. The program's creators noticed significant improvements in participants' behavior, attention span, and ability to interact with peers.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalFamily and Consumer Sciences Research Journal·DateJan 10, 2012