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Science News Archive June 2012 - Page 3


Page 3 of 29

Diet rich in vegetables may help stave off acute pancreatitis

A diet high in vegetables may help prevent acute pancreatitis by reducing oxidative stress. The study found that individuals who consumed the most vegetables daily were 44% less likely to develop the condition than those who ate the least. This protective effect was strongest among heavy drinkers and overweight individuals.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGut·DateJun 27, 2012

Ability to estimate quantity increases in first 30 years of life

A study by NIH-funded researchers found that people's ability to estimate quantities improves across the first 30 years of life, with a sharp decline after age 30. The study suggests that environmental factors, such as education, can shape this intuitive number sense and improve math skills.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2012

Obese appendectomy patients have fewer complications with minimally invasive operations

Obese appendectomy patients who undergo minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures experience fewer complications, longer hospital stays, and higher rates of infectious complications compared to open appendectomy. This study suggests that minimally invasive operations may be less risky for obese patients, reducing morbidity by up to 57%.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 27, 2012

New way of probing exoplanet atmospheres

Researchers use CRIRES instrument on VLT to study Tau Bootis b's atmosphere, measuring mass and carbon monoxide levels. The new technique allows for the detection of non-transiting exoplanets' atmospheres, enabling scientists to learn more about their atmospheric conditions.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJun 27, 2012

Women 'never the right age' in hedge fund

A new study reveals that women in hedge funds struggle with 'adulting' due to societal expectations of maturity and work-life balance. Women face problems at every stage of adult life, from getting hired to balancing work and parenthood, whereas men are given more opportunities to settle into corporate life.

New treatment protocol extends survival in some cases of once inoperable pancreatic cancer

A new treatment protocol that includes accurate CT scan analysis and complex surgical technique has significantly increased long-term survival for patients with previously inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. On average, patients lived about 30 months after tumor removal, nearly three times longer than those who never underwent surgery.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 27, 2012

New planet-weighing technique found

A new method has been developed to measure the mass of non-transiting planets using carbon monoxide signatures in their atmospheres. This breakthrough technique allows for precise mass determination, opening a new path to study exoplanet properties and potentially detect molecules associated with life.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 27, 2012

Half of inhaled diesel soot gets stuck in the lungs

A new study reveals that over half of inhaled diesel soot particles remain in the body, penetrating deeper into the lungs. This finding has significant implications for public health and may lead to the establishment of guidelines for soot particle limits in outdoor air.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Aerosol Science·DateJun 27, 2012

Standing for long periods during pregnancy may curb fetal growth

Research found that women who spent long periods standing during pregnancy had slower fetal growth rates, with an average head circumference reduction of 1 cm. Long working hours were not consistently associated with restrictions on fetal development or premature birth, but excessive work may impact birth weight.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJun 27, 2012

UCSB scientists compile first study of potential for tsunamis in northwestern California

A comprehensive study of tsunamis in Northwestern California has been compiled by UCSB scientists, revealing evidence of smaller strong-to-major earthquakes and larger quakes that involved the regional subduction zone. The research provides valuable insights into the region's seismic activity and potential for future tsunami events.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateJun 27, 2012

Menopausal women could 'work out' their hot flashes

A study of 92 menopausal women found that regular physical activity can lead to a decrease in hot flash symptoms. The researchers used objective and subjective methods to track the frequency of hot flashes, finding that exercising actually reduced symptoms in most participants, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourcePenn State·JournalMenopause·DateJun 27, 2012

EMBO Gold Medal 2012 awarded to Jiri Friml

Jiri Friml received the EMBO Gold Medal for his groundbreaking research on auxin transport and gradient formation in plants, which has significant implications for plant development and agriculture. His work provides a basis for targeted engineering to develop plants that produce higher yields or are more resistant to drought.

SourceEMBO·DateJun 27, 2012

Dietary fiber alters gut bacteria, supports gastrointestinal health

A University of Illinois study found that dietary fiber promotes beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to improved gastrointestinal health. The research suggests that increasing fiber intake can have a positive impact on health, particularly in reducing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

New vaccine for nicotine addiction

Weill Cornell researchers develop a novel vaccine that protects mice against nicotine addiction, using the liver to continuously produce antibodies. The vaccine is designed to prevent nicotine chemicals from reaching the brain and heart, offering hope for smokers who struggle with addiction.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 27, 2012

The physics of going viral

Researchers at Caltech have developed a method to measure the rate of DNA transfer from viruses to bacteria. They found that the amount of genetic material within the bacterial cells determines how quickly the bacteriophage's DNA is transferred, not the pressure in the virus itself.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 27, 2012

Social issues in teen years can hurt future health

A long-term study found that problematic peer relationships in adolescence were correlated with all components of metabolic syndrome, including obesity and high blood pressure, in middle age. The study, led by Per E Gustafsson, monitored social relationships and health over 27 years.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 27, 2012

They were what they ate

A study published in Nature reveals that Australopithecus sediba consumed between 95 and 100 percent forest-based foods, contradicting the assumption that early hominins ate a varied diet. This finding provides insight into the dietary habits of our ancestors and sheds light on why some species thrived while others became extinct.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature·DateJun 27, 2012

New mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis discovered

Researchers have identified a novel mechanism by which Bartonella bacteria manipulate host cell signaling, prolonging cell lifespan and contributing to chronic infection persistence. The study reveals the role of protein BepA in binding adenylyl cyclase, leading to increased cAMP production and preventing host cell death.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2012

Racial make-up of community impacts obesity risk

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that community racial and ethnic composition affects obesity rates, with Hispanic communities associated with a 21% higher obesity rate and non-Hispanic whites with a 23% higher rate. In contrast, communities with high concentrations of non-Hispanic Asians saw lower obesi...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJun 27, 2012

Brain scans detect early signs of autism

Researchers detected significant differences in brain development in high-risk infants who developed autism starting at age 6 months. White matter tract development was found to be the key difference between those with and without autism.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJun 27, 2012

New animal model for rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Northwestern University have created an animal model that spontaneously develops rheumatoid arthritis and is predisposed to atherosclerosis. The model allows scientists to examine the systemic influence of inflammatory arthritis on the development of heart disease, with promising results from treatment with Enbrel.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJun 27, 2012