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Science News Archive July 2012 - Page 5


Page 5 of 26

Switching the state of matter

Researchers at RIKEN have created a new transistor that uses electrostatic accumulation of charge on a strongly-correlated material to trigger bulk switching of electronic state. The device operates at room temperature and requires only 1V to switch the material from an insulator to a metal.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateJul 26, 2012

Teamwork against Benzene

Researchers from Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research identified three teams of bacteria working together to degrade benzene, a highly toxic substance. By analyzing proteins, they shed light on the complex process, which could also apply to other bacterial cooperatives.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJul 26, 2012

The brightest stars don't live alone

A study using the VLT found that 75% of O-type stars are in binary systems, with a higher proportion of interacting pairs than previously thought. This discovery has profound implications for galaxy evolution, as these heavyweights play a key role in shaping galaxies through violent phenomena such as stellar mergers and gamma-ray bursts.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateJul 26, 2012

Environmental groups should pool efforts to reach the public

A study suggests that environmental groups can collaborate to inform the public about environmental concerns, leading to improved efficiency and targeted messaging. By leveraging existing connections and seizing strategic opportunities, organizations can build public knowledge and empowerment in environmental decision-making.

Heart CT scans may help emergency room personnel more quickly assess patients with chest pain

A recent study has found that adding computed tomography (CT) scans to standard screening procedures can help emergency room staff rapidly determine whether patients are having a heart attack or not. This allows for quicker discharges and reduced hospital stays, with half of patients discharged in under 9 hours.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012

Ancient mummy had lung infection, according to novel proteomics analysis

A 500-year-old Incan mummy was found to have a bacterial lung infection at the time of death, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The researchers used proteomics to analyze immune system response from degraded samples and found that one mummy had a protein profile similar to those with chronic respiratory infections.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2012

Aesop's Fable unlocks how we think

Researchers compared Eurasian Jays with local school children using three tasks of varying complexity, revealing that children learn cause-and-effect relationships in a different way than birds. The study found that while the birds struggled to understand the mechanism, the children focused on simple cause-effect relationships.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2012

Study links alcohol/energy drink mixes with casual, risky sex

A study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found a link between consuming caffeinated energy drinks mixed with alcohol and having casual -- often risky -- sex among college-age adults. The study suggests that mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to unintentional overdrinking, increasing the risk of ...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Caffeine Research·DateJul 25, 2012

Adolescent sexual behavior tied to motion picture sexual content exposure, says MU researcher

A study by University of Missouri researcher Ross O'Hara found that young people who watch more sexually explicit movies tend to engage in more sexual behavior and start having sex at a younger age. The study also discovered that adolescents exposed to more sexual content in movies are less likely to use condoms with casual partners.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 25, 2012

Darker wings for monarch butterflies mean better flight

Research published in PLOS ONE found that monarch butterflies with darker orange wings flew significantly longer distances than those with lighter wings. The study suggests an association between pigment level and flight distance, paving the way for further research into butterfly wing color.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2012

Rapamycin effective in mouse model of inherited heart disease and muscular dystrophies

Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging found that rapamycin improved function and extended survival in mice with a genetic mutation leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and rare muscular dystrophies. The study suggests a therapeutic possibility for human patients suffering from this form of disease.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012

Published clinical trial demonstrates efficacy of Sea-Band® for migraine-related nausea

A recent clinical trial published in Neurological Sciences demonstrates the efficacy of Sea-Band wristbands in reducing migraine-related nausea. The study showed significant improvement in nausea scores and a high percentage of responders to treatment, supporting the use of Sea-Band as a drug-free remedy for this condition.

SourceRobin Leedy & Associates, Inc.·JournalNeurological Sciences·DateJul 25, 2012

2 Solar System puzzles solved

Researchers modelled comets and asteroid particles to explain their origins and compositions. The study found that these particles could have been processed in the hot inner disk of the Solar System before traveling out to icy comets, shedding light on the puzzle of how comets acquired different rim compositions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJul 25, 2012

Global expansion all about give and take, study finds

A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that multinational firms perform better over time, especially when they have a global strategy and coordinate efforts across multiple countries. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 48,000 firms, also found that firm size does not affect success in multinationality.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalGlobal Strategy Journal·DateJul 25, 2012

Women with diabetes more likely to experience sexual dissatisfaction

A UCSF study found that women with diabetes are more likely to report low overall sexual satisfaction compared to non-diabetic women. Insulin-treated diabetic women were at higher risk for lubrication and orgasm complications, while end-organ complications such as heart disease and peripheral neuropathy also impacted sexual function.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 25, 2012

Basal cell carcinoma risk can be chronic

A new study found that basal cell carcinoma risk can persist even after multiple instances of the disease, with predictors including a history of eczema and early sun exposure. Researchers are exploring preventive medication options to minimize damage.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateJul 25, 2012

Expanding Medicaid to low-income adults leads to improved health, fewer deaths

A recent Harvard study found that expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults leads to significant improvements in health and reduced mortality rates. The study analyzed data from three states with expanded Medicaid programs and found a 6.1% reduction in mortality among those covered, corresponding to 2,840 deaths prevented per year.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012