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Science News Archive July 2012 - Page 24


Page 24 of 26

Bees can 'turn back time,' reverse brain aging

Researchers discovered that older honey bees effectively reverse brain aging when they take on nest responsibilities typically handled by younger bees. The study found changes in molecular structure of their brains, including the presence of proteins that can help protect against dementia.

SourceArizona State University·JournalExperimental Gerontology·DateJul 3, 2012

Exposure to violence has long-term stress effects among adolescents

A study by Penn State researchers has found that exposure to violence among adolescents can have lasting physical stress response effects up to a year after the exposure. Cortisol levels were found to be lower in males with higher exposure to violence, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to suppress cortisol levels.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJul 3, 2012

$1.6 million for sustainability

Concordia University has been awarded $1.6 million by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to support research and training in sustainable development. The funding will be used to train approximately 20 students per year in renewable energy production and water optimization.

An entire army sacrificed in a bog

Archaeologists are uncovering the secrets of a mass sacrifice of over 200 warriors in a bog near Alken, Denmark. The dig aims to clarify the circumstances behind the ritual sacrifice and analyze the remains to shed light on the Iron Age culture.

2 species fused to give rise to plant pest

Scientists discovered that a widespread plant pest arose from the fusion of two unknown parent species just a few hundred years ago. The study reveals new insights into fungal evolution, showing that hybridization can lead to rapid speciation in plants and fungi.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2012

Road-mapping the Asian brain

The University of Nottingham is developing a detailed picture of the Asian brain through a two-year project. The resulting road-map will help doctors in Asia diagnose age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's at an earlier stage, improving treatment outcomes.

Giraffes are living proof that cells' pressure matters

Physicists developed a two-component model accounting for cell expansion and fluid dynamics. The model revealed that homeostatic pressure, not fluid pressure, drives cell division in biological tissues. This discovery could help understand cancer growth by disrupting homeostasis.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 3, 2012

Solar power from plastic foils

A group of KIT researchers has been granted €4.25 million to enhance the efficiency of organic solar cells to over 10% using tandem architectures and novel materials. The new generation of solar cells is light, flexible, semi-transparent, and can be produced at low cost.

Surprising culprit behind chemo resistance in rare cancer

Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that ACA11, a non-coding RNA, helps protect cancer cells from damage and makes them resistant to chemotherapy. This finding may lead to new cancer therapeutics and help guide research into better treatments for patients with multiple myeloma.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 2, 2012

JCI early table of contents for July 2, 2012

A novel gene variant associated with reduced cholesterol levels has been identified in human populations. Additionally, a new approach for treating Parkinson's disease using embryonic stem cell therapy is proposed. Furthermore, research suggests that brain indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) plays a crucial role in the concurrence of ...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 2, 2012

Rest is not idleness: Reflection is critical for development and well-being

A new article highlights the importance of introspection and reflection in learning, socioemotional functioning, and overall well-being. Research on the brain's default mode network reveals that individual differences in brain activity during rest are correlated with self-awareness, moral judgment, and memory consolidation.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJul 2, 2012

UCLA study looks at why heart attacks cause so much more damage in late pregnancy

A new UCLA study published in Basic Research in Cardiology found that heart attacks in late pregnancy result in worse heart function and more damaged heart tissue than in non-pregnant females. The research suggests that the heart may be particularly vulnerable to injury during this critical period, but partially recovers after giving b...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalBasic Research in Cardiology·DateJul 2, 2012

Moffitt Cancer Center study validates activity of rare genetic variant in glioma

A recent study at Moffitt Cancer Center has validated a rare genetic variant associated with an increased risk of glioma, the most common and lethal type of brain tumor. The study found that individuals carrying this variant had a 3.5 times higher risk of developing glioma, but also experienced a 50% reduction in death rates

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Medical Genetics·DateJul 2, 2012

Fast food intake increases risk of diabetes and heart disease in Singapore

A study published by the American Heart Association found that consuming fast food even once a week increases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease by 20 percent. Eating fast food two or more times a week also boosts the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 27 percent, especially among younger and better-educated individuals.

Researchers create 'rubber-band electronics'

Scientists have developed a design that allows electronics to bend and stretch up to 200%, overcoming the major obstacle of rigid electronics. This breakthrough enables medical monitoring devices to track vital signs and transmit them wirelessly, opening up new possibilities for patient care.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 2, 2012