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Science News for March 8, 2012


Could a NOSH-aspirin-a-day keep cancer away?

Scientists have developed a new aspirin compound called NOSH-aspirin that curbs the growth of 11 different types of human cancer cells in culture and shrinks human colon cancer tumors by 85% in live animals without adverse effects. The hybrid is more potent and safer than classic aspirin, requiring lower doses to be effective.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters·DateMar 8, 2012

Clot-busting enzyme plays 'peek-a-boo' with blood clots

Researchers at Monash University have discovered how a blood clot-busting enzyme is switched on, revealing a 'peek-a-boo' mechanism that could lead to new treatments for clotting and bleeding disorders. The findings also provide insights into the molecular details of current plasminogen-activating drugs.

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 8, 2012

Do you hear what I hear?

Researchers identified how and where the brain processes frequency-modulated sound signals, which are crucial for understanding language and speech. The study found that these signals begin in the midbrain region of the brain, a surprising discovery that could help with hearing-related disorders.

Mom's voice may improve the health of premature babies

Researchers discovered that auditory stimulation of maternal sounds can lower incidence of cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants, suggesting a potential non-pharmalogical treatment. The study involved exposing fourteen extremely premature infants to personalized audio recordings of their own mothers' voices and heartbeats, leadin...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·DateMar 8, 2012

Caregivers of veterans with chronic illnesses often stressed, yet satisfied, MU researcher finds

A University of Missouri researcher found that over one-third of veterans' caregivers report high levels of strain, yet on average, they also report being satisfied with their caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers who received outside help and developed coping strategies were more likely to experience satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalResearch in Nursing & Health·DateMar 8, 2012

Revisiting LSD as a treatment for alcoholism

A new meta-analysis of LSD trials found that 59% of patients showed improvement in alcohol misuse, with lasting effects for at least six months. LSD interacts with serotonin receptors to stimulate new connections and open the mind, offering a promising treatment approach for alcoholism.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateMar 8, 2012

The dance of the chaperones

Researchers have identified DnaK as a central player in the chaperone network of E. coli, which helps proteins fold into their complex three-dimensional structures. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind protein folding and has implications for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 8, 2012

Scientists discover 'Achilles' heel' of clot-buster

Researchers have solved the atomic structure of closed plasminogen, a key player in the clot-busting process, revealing an 'Achilles' heel' that proteins bind to when it opens up. This discovery may lead to more effective clot-busting drugs for treating heart attacks and strokes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 8, 2012

Partnerships in the brain

Researchers developed a mathematical model to test whether neurons communicate individually or as groups. The method filters signals to determine if neurons collaborate flexibly within milliseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal dynamic cell assemblies involved in planning and controlling behavior.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 8, 2012

Cultural 'tightness' holds back female leadership -- but not always, says study

A study found that cultural 'tightness' can prevent the emergence of women leaders in some countries, but also supports equal opportunities for both sexes. Societies with loose cultures, such as New Zealand and Norway, showed a high rate of female leadership, while culturally tight countries like Pakistan had low rates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of World Business·DateMar 8, 2012

Saving power, saving money

A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University has developed a novel technique called fine-grained power gating, which can eliminate wasted energy in computer processors. This method reduces power consumption by up to 40% and also minimizes heat production, resulting in significant cost savings.

Want to limit aggression? Practice self-control!

A new review article examines the psychological research on self-control and aggression, finding that depleting self-control can increase aggressive behavior, while strengthening it can reduce it. Practicing self-control through techniques like using the non-dominant hand or improving posture can also improve impulse control.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMar 8, 2012

Aging, overweight people stay happy says new study

A new cross-cultural study found that people reported better mental quality of life as they age, despite a decrease in physical quality of life. The study also found that being overweight or obese did not have a significant impact on mental well-being levels, contradicting the 'jolly fat' hypothesis.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalEuropean Journal of Epidemiology·DateMar 8, 2012

Discovery of hair-cell roots suggests the brain modulates sound sensitivity

The discovery of a previously unknown root extension in hair cells suggests the brain regulates sound sensitivity and head position. This finding challenges current understanding of how hair cells work, with the striated organelle connecting the rootlets to the cell membrane enabling feedback from the cell to the detectors.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2012

'Chum cam' underwater video survey shows that reef sharks thrive in marine reserves

A team of scientists from the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science used video cameras to count Caribbean reef sharks inside and outside marine reserves on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The results show that the sharks were more abundant in the reserves, with a higher relative abundance compared to areas where fishing is allowed.

Share and share alike

Researchers studied viral campaigns and found that increased product involvement and social network consideration significantly predicted sharing intentions. People filter information, but personal involvement in the item being shared also contributes to higher likelihood of sharing.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing·DateMar 8, 2012

Ultrafast sonograms shed new light on rapid phase transitions

Researchers have developed an ultrafast method to track structural changes in solid materials during phase transitions. This technique sheds new light on vanadium dioxide's fast transformation between transparent and reflective phases. The study provides valuable insights into designing high-speed optical switches using this material.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2012

Magnetic moon

A team of researchers from Harvard and MIT suggests that massive asteroid collision is responsible for the Moon's magnetic anomalies. The anomaly is found around the rim of a 2,400-kilometer-diameter crater known as South Pole-Aitken.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateMar 8, 2012

Vaccination may be key for true elimination of HIV-1

Scientists discovered an effective way to eliminate a persistent form of HIV-1 through vaccination strategy. The research found that heightened immune response prior to virus reactivation facilitates the elimination of latent viral reservoir, paving the way for true eradication.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateMar 8, 2012

Sport fields: Catalysts for physical activity in the neighborhood?

A University of Alberta study found that individuals who live near areas with more traffic-related incidents are more likely to engage in sufficient levels of physical activity. The research also highlights the importance of increasing awareness about available facilities to encourage physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Alberta - Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 8, 2012

Sobered up using LSD

A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of LSD improved outcomes for 59% of patients compared to 38% of those receiving other treatments. Patients who received LSD showed greater self-acceptance, openness and motivation to address their alcohol problem.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateMar 8, 2012

A test of the senses in the search for a shoal mate

Research from the University of Bristol and Radboud University Nijmegen found that young French grunts are attracted to coral reef noises and muddy soft-sediment smells, but only visual cues of familiar fish guide them to their shoal mates. This hierarchical approach allows the fish to navigate safely in complex habitats.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEcology·DateMar 8, 2012

First findings released from Swaziland HIV incidence measurement survey announced at CROI 2012

The Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey found that HIV prevalence has stabilized over the past five years, with current prevalence peaking at 54% for women ages 30-34 and 48% for men ages 35-39. The survey also indicates declines in HIV prevalence among young adults, which may suggest a reduction in new HIV infections.

Older men's hidden health concerns

A large cross-sectional survey of 2325 Canadian men aged 55-97 years old found that mobility impairments, memory loss, and medication side effects were top health concerns. However, only a minority reported receiving adequate counseling on these issues, highlighting important gaps in healthcare.