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Science News for March 13, 2012


Clinical news alert: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons highlights

The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) found surgical treatment significantly favored outcomes for IDH, DS, and LSS, while vitamin D deficiency is critical to musculoskeletal health. A new study urges orthopaedic surgeons to proactively diagnose and treat vitamin D deficiency, which can improve treatment results for various ...

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMar 13, 2012

Reduced baby risk from another cesarean

A major study led by the University of Adelaide found that women who had one prior cesarean can lower the risk of death and serious complications for their next baby. Infants born to these women had a significantly lower risk of serious complications compared to those born after a vaginal birth following a prior cesarean.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 13, 2012

A fragrant new biofuel

JBEI researchers have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to generate significant quantities of methyl ketone compounds from glucose, which yielded high cetane numbers comparable to gasoline. The findings add flexibility and options for the biofuels industry, with potential applications in producing advanced biofuels.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMar 13, 2012

Optics Express focus issue: Modular ultrafast lasers

The Optics Express Focus Issue on Modular Ultrafast Lasers showcases state-of-the-art developments in femtosecond lasers, enabling new applications in biology, medicine, chemistry, and energy research. Key findings include the generation of broad-bandwidth frequency combs for precision metrology and spectroscopy.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateMar 13, 2012

Cancer epigenetics: Breakthrough in ID'ing target genes

A new study from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine has developed a computer program called EpiPredictor to rapidly identify genes targeted by epigenetic proteins. The program, which was funded in part by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, shows promise for speeding up research in cancer epigenetics.

SourceRice University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMar 13, 2012

Planned repeat cesarean section may be safer for mother and baby

A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that women who have a previous caesarean section may benefit from a planned repeat caesarean section in terms of reduced bleeding and infant mortality. The research found that elective repeat caesarean sections were associated with lower risks of severe bleeding and serious infant morbidity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 13, 2012

Center for Innovative Metal Processing created

The Penn State Applied Research Laboratory and Sciaky, Inc. have established the Center for Innovative Metal Processing through Direct Digital Deposition as a Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. The center aims to provide an advanced design and simulation tool in a shared network for industry participants to evaluate the technology.

'A Lethal Inheritance'

The book reveals startling neuroscientific and genetic findings that explain how clusters of mental illness traverse family generations. Victoria Costello shares her personal journey and discovers the earliest signs of mental illnesses that can be passed on from grandparents to parents and grandchildren.

Scientists produce eye structures from human blood-derived stem cells

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human blood. The structures showed the capacity to form layers of cells, which possessed the machinery to communicate information.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateMar 13, 2012

New insights into the synaptic basis of chronic pain

A team of scientists has identified a key player in the amplification of pain signals in the spinal cord, which could lead to the development of novel treatments for chronic pain. By removing an enzyme called PKG-1 from pain-sensing nerves, researchers found that LTP was abolished and pain-related memory and behavior were also altered.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 13, 2012

Post-exposure antibody treatment protects primates from Ebola, Marburg viruses

US Army researchers have successfully tested antibody-based therapies in monkeys infected with Ebola and Marburg viruses, demonstrating full protection even when treatment was delayed until two days post-infection. This breakthrough provides proof-of-concept for developing filovirus therapies for human use.

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 13, 2012

Barrier to faster graphene devices identified and suppressed

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a major barrier to faster graphene devices, finding that charged impurities on the surface of graphene scatter electrons. By using electrically neutral liquids, they achieved record-levels of room-temperature electron mobility, three times greater than previous graphene-based devices.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 13, 2012