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Science News for July 4, 2012


Freezing all embryos in IVF with transfer in a later non-stimulated cycle may improve outcome

A meta-analysis suggests that freezing all embryos for later transfer in a non-stimulated cycle may improve implantation and pregnancy rates, reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) associated with fresh embryo transfers. The study found a relative risk of 1.31 for clinical pregnancies, with higher ongoing pregnan...

From 'law' to 'religion'

A joint study by Stefan Reichmuth and Reinhold Glei reveals the Koran's term 'dīn' changed meaning from 'law' to 'religion' in Latin translations, with implications for European understanding of Islam. This shift reflects a gradual development in Western philosophy, paralleling Judaism and Christianity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalReligion·DateJul 4, 2012

Individuals cooperate according to their emotional state and their prior experiences

Researchers found that individuals prioritize reciprocity over network structure when deciding to cooperate. This challenges traditional theories on cooperation among individuals. The study, published in PNAS, used a social conflict prototype called the Prisoner's Dilemma and involved 1,200 Aragon secondary students.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2012

Groundbreaking discovery of mechanism that controls obesity, atherosclerosis

Researchers from A*STAR have identified a novel signalling pathway controlling both obesity and atherosclerosis in mice. The study found that Wip1-deficient mice were resistant to weight gain and atherosclerosis through increased autophagy, highlighting a potential new approach for treating these conditions. Further investigation into ...

Platelet drug shows clinical benefits for severe, unresponsive aplastic anemia

A new clinical study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that eltrombopag improved blood cell production in 11 out of 25 participants with severe aplastic anemia. The drug was well-tolerated, with few side effects, and six patients showed significant improvements in all three types of blood cells.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 4, 2012

Just a question of time?

Researchers at the virtual Helmholtz Institute PolarTime are studying the inner clock of Antarctic krill to understand its impact on the marine ecosystem under climate change. They will investigate the principles and evolution of endogenous biological rhythms and clocks in pelagic organisms.