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Science News Archive March 2012


Page 1 of 32

Oxygen in tumors predicts prostate cancer recurrence

A recent study has found that low oxygen levels in tumors can predict cancer recurrence in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The research, led by radiation oncologists at the Princess Margaret Hospital, suggests that these patients are more likely to develop cancer recurrence within a few years of completing treatment.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateMar 31, 2012

Middle-of-the-night PCIs do not adversely affect success of next-day procedures

A new study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that middle-of-the-night PCIs do not adversely affect the safety and effectiveness of procedures performed the next day by the same operator. The researchers identified no significant difference in complication rates or outcomes between PCIs performed durin...

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMar 30, 2012

Grant to fuel baking soda cancer therapy research

The University of Arizona has received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an innovative magnetic resonance imaging method for measuring pH levels in tumors. This technique aims to personalize cancer treatments, such as baking soda therapy, and predict their effectiveness before treatment begins.

Extreme weather threatens rich ecosystems

Mathematical modelling and simulation reveal that extreme species-rich ecosystems are most vulnerable to cascading extinctions in an increasingly variable world. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that species-rich ecosystems are more robust.

SourceLinköping University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateMar 30, 2012

ADHD is over-diagnosed

A study by Ruhr-University Bochum and University of Basel reveals that ADHD is often misdiagnosed based on heuristics rather than adhering to recognized diagnostic criteria. The researchers found that boys are substantially more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to girls, with male therapists also tending to give more frequent diagnoses.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateMar 30, 2012

NIH study finds women spend longer in labor now than 50 years ago

A recent NIH study found that women take longer to give birth today compared to 50 years ago, with an average increase of 2.6 hours for first-time mothers. The study suggests that changes in delivery practices, including the increased use of epidural anesthesia and oxytocin, may be contributing to the longer labor duration.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateMar 30, 2012

Volcanic plumbing exposed

Researchers from the University of Leeds and international teams studied magma chambers on mid-ocean ridges, revealing new information about their location and behavior. The findings can help scientists identify early warning signs of impending eruptions, which is crucial for predicting large volcanic events.

Much faster than a speeding bullet, planets and stars escape the Milky Way

Researchers have identified hypervelocity planets and stars that are ejected from the Milky Way at millions of miles per hour due to their close interaction with a massive black hole. The study suggests that these high-speed objects can provide valuable insights into planetary formation and evolution near the central black hole.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 29, 2012

The MIRI has 2 faces

MIRI, the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope, offers unparalleled capabilities for studying distant galaxies, star formation, and planetary systems. Its spectrometer and camera enable scientists to analyze an object's physical properties and image its shape and structure.

Reducing cash bite of wind power

Harold H. Kung's analysis finds Investment Tax Credit to be more attractive for consumers and investors due to lower electricity prices and faster returns on investment. The study aimed to mitigate the high capital cost of wind power, benefiting both parties.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalEnergy Policy·DateMar 29, 2012

A new breast cancer susceptibility gene

A new breast cancer susceptibility gene, XRCC2, has been discovered by researchers at the University of Utah Health. The study found that mutations in this gene increase breast cancer risk, providing a new target for chemotherapy and improving diagnostic accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 29, 2012

Overweight baby girls at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adulthood

A recent study published by The Endocrine Society reveals that heavier female babies are more likely to develop diabetes and related metabolic risks when they grow up compared to their male counterparts. The study found a significant association between birth weight and body fat distribution in early childhood with future metabolic ris...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 29, 2012