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Science News Archive January 2012 - Page 7


Page 7 of 24

Olivucci models potential of toxic algae photoreceptors

Using computer simulations at the Ohio Supercomputer Center, researchers aim to engineer cyanobacteria to thrive in diverse illumination conditions. By understanding light sensing and harvesting in Anabaena sensory rhodopsin bacteria, they hope to develop new properties for alternative energy via microbial conversion of light energy.

SourceOhio Supercomputer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2012

Scientists create first free-standing 3-D cloak

Researchers in the US have successfully cloaked a three-dimensional object standing in free space using a method known as plasmonic cloaking. The technique uses ordinary materials to bend light around objects, cancelling out scattering and rendering them invisible at all angles of observation.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJan 25, 2012

Mechanism sheds light on how the brain adapts to stress

Researchers discovered a novel intracellular signaling pathway controlling stress-induced CRH gene expression, revealing a key role for Orthopedia protein in stress adaptation. This regulation is critical for neuronal adaptation and failure to activate or terminate the CRH response can lead to chronic pathological conditions.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJan 25, 2012

Recent study by Mars, Incorporated and partners underscores importance of metabolism in understanding health benefits of cocoa flavanols

A recent study by Mars, Incorporated and partners reveals the extensive metabolism of flavanol compounds after consumption, challenging existing in vitro studies. This research provides a critical step forward in understanding how cocoa flavanols exert their circulatory and cardiovascular benefits.

SourceCNC (UK) Ltd.·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·DateJan 25, 2012

The impact of deleting 5 personality disorders in the new DSM-5

A Rhode Island Hospital study found that deleting five personality disorders from the DSM-5 could result in false-negative diagnoses for patients. The proposed changes may affect up to 59 patients who would no longer be diagnosed with a personality disorder according to the current criteria.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2012

Adipose stem cell heart attack trial data published in JACC

The APOLLO trial demonstrated improvements in cardiac function, blood flow into the heart muscle, and reduced scar formation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The study found a 52% reduction in left ventricle infarcted area and significant improvement of perfusion defects in ADRC-treated patients.

SourceCytori Therapeutics·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 24, 2012

Winged dinosaur Archaeopteryx dressed for flight

A team of researchers discovered a well-preserved feather on Archaeopteryx's wing was black, indicating the presence of melanosomes that provided structural support. The feather structure is identical to that of modern birds, showing early evolution of wing feathers as early as 150 million years ago.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 24, 2012

Scientists discover new clue to the chemical origins of life

Researchers at the University of York have successfully recreated a process that could be responsible for the origin of carbohydrates in life. By using simple left-handed amino acids as catalysts, they produced predominantly right-handed sugars, shedding light on how these building blocks came to dominate nature.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalOrganic & Biomolecular Chemistry·DateJan 24, 2012

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 24, 2012

A team of researchers found that brown fat in adult men burns energy to generate body heat when exposed to cold temperatures, but not at warm temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for the human obesity epidemic, suggesting that increasing brown fat is unlikely to lead to weight loss and instead highlights the need f...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 24, 2012

Improving crops from the roots up

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have successfully altered root growth in plants by controlling a key regulatory protein, WRKY23. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop yields and resistance to parasites under varying environmental conditions.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2012

Genetic variation increases risk of metabolic side effects in children on some antipsychotics

A genetic variation has been found to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome in children taking second-generation anti-psychotic medications, characterized by high blood pressure and elevated fasting blood sugar levels. The study aims to prevent and manage metabolic complications associated with these medications in childhood.

SourceChild & Family Research Institute·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2012

Saliva HIV test passes the grade

A saliva test used to diagnose HIV has been found to be comparable in accuracy to the traditional blood test, according to a new study. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity rates of 99% and 97%, respectively, making it a promising tool for HIV diagnosis, particularly in high-risk populations.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 24, 2012

More on legal remedies for ghostwriting

The article proposes three areas of legal liability for ghostwriters: reliance on false safety and efficacy data, inducing government reimbursement under false pretenses, and anti-kickback statute violations. Guest authors' participation in ghostwritten articles may also lead to claims of fraud on the court against pharmaceutical compa...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 24, 2012

New migraine clinical trial guidelines

The new guidelines provide a contemporary, evidence-based approach for investigators conducting randomised, controlled migraine clinical trials. Key findings include the importance of patient selection, trial design, and evaluation of results in both acute and preventive settings.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJan 24, 2012

Brown fat burns calories in adult humans

Researchers have found that brown fat in healthy adult men burns energy to generate body heat during cold exposure, but not at warm temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for combating the human obesity epidemic and suggests that increasing brown fat may not lead to weight loss.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 24, 2012

The evolution of division of labor

Modules differ in form and function, allowing for division of labor among specialized modules. The study identifies necessary conditions for division of labor to evolve, including positional effects and synergistic effects between differentiated modules.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2012

Exercise has charms to soothe a savage boss

A study by James Burton and team found that stressed supervisors who engage in moderate exercise report less abusive behavior towards their subordinates. The research suggests that wellness programs with exercise components can help smooth out relationships between supervisors and employees.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·DateJan 24, 2012

GABA deficits disturb endocannabinoid system

A new study suggests that GABA deficits in the brain may trigger disturbances in the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating substances similar to cannabis products. The research also found that cannabis use can alter GABA activity in the brain.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2012