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Science News Archive July 2012 - Page 11


Page 11 of 26

Long-term ADHD drug use appears safe

A new study published in Neuropsychopharmacology suggests that long-term use of ADHD drugs does not affect brain development or increase susceptibility to substance abuse. Researchers found no differences between animals treated with Ritalin and those in a control group, providing reassurance for parents and clinicians.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateJul 18, 2012

Child's behavior linked to father-infant interactions, study shows

A study of 192 families found that fathers' involvement in early interactions with their infants is linked to fewer behavioral problems later on. The researchers suggest that interventions aimed at improving parent-child interaction may be beneficial to the child's behavior, and highlight the importance of early parental engagement.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 18, 2012

Primate behavior: Chimps select smart tools, monkeys intentionally beg

Two independent research reports published in PLOS ONE show that chimpanzees use weight to choose the best hammer for cracking open nuts, a sophisticated tool use. In contrast, old world monkeys modulate their begging behavior based on whether an experimenter is paying attention to them, suggesting intentional communication.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 18, 2012

Environmental concerns increasing infectious disease in amphibians, other animals

Climate change, pollution, and invasive species are driving mortality in amphibians due to infectious disease, leading to extinctions rates 200 times higher than background extinction rates. Understanding these complex forces is crucial for addressing amphibian declines and emerging infections in humans.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJul 18, 2012

Social identification, not obedience, might motivate unspeakable acts

Researchers propose a new explanation for Milgram's findings, suggesting that participants' behavior is driven by their patterns of social identification. Conditions that encouraged identification with the experimenter led to increased obedience, while conditions that encouraged identification with the learner led to decreased obedience.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJul 18, 2012

Dopamine: A substance with many messages

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute identified four different types of dopamine-releasing nerve cells involved in forming positive and negative memories in fruit flies. These nerve cells use dopamine to communicate with other neurons, and their activation can signal aversive or rewarding stimuli.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJul 18, 2012

Special issue of Cell Transplantation features research presented at IANR

A special issue of Cell Transplantation features studies on clinical translational medicine for successful neurorestoration in human patients with various neurological conditions. The field of neurorestoratology aims to optimize regimes and develop treatment guidelines through the integration of current methods.

Helping Alzheimer's patients stay independent

Researchers found that caregivers who believe people with Alzheimer's disease are at risk for injury and accept help more likely rely on dependency support rather than promoting independence. Caregivers can learn to gauge individual abilities through observation, breaking down tasks into manageable activities.

Police need sleep for health, performance

Researchers at the University of Iowa found that police officers working evening or night shifts were more likely to get less restful sleep, leading to chronic fatigue and health issues. The study recommends practices to ensure proper sleep, such as adjusting court appearances and partnering with nurses.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalWorkplace Health & Safety·DateJul 18, 2012

What would Batman eat?

A Cornell study finds that prompting children to make healthy choices, like Batman, can lead to a significant reduction in calorie consumption. Children who chose apple fries consumed 34 calories, compared to 227 for French fries.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateJul 18, 2012

Botanical compound could prove crucial to healing influenza

Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that abscisic acid has anti-inflammatory effects in both the lungs and gut, which could lead to a novel way to combat inflammatory disease. This compound may offer a safer alternative to existing treatments for influenza by targeting the immune response rather than the virus itself.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateJul 18, 2012

New targeting technology improves outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation

A new targeting technology has been found to improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation, with an 86% success rate after a single procedure. The technology, known as focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM), allows doctors to detect and shut down the electrical sources of the arrhythmia in minutes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJul 18, 2012