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Science News Archive March 2012 - Page 19


Page 19 of 32

Heavy rucksacks storing up back problems for many school-kids

Research found that over half of school children carry rucksacks weighing 10% or more of their body weight, increasing the risk of back problems. Girls are more susceptible to back issues, which worsen with age. Experts advise parents and teachers to promote healthy backpacking habits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateMar 14, 2012

Stanford scientists discover drug side effects, interactions using new computer algorithm

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a computer algorithm to quickly identify true drug side effects and interactions from millions of patient reports. The method, which includes a list of dozens of prominent drug interactions, has been tested on patients' electronic health records and confirmed accurate.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 14, 2012

Social networking shortcut to finding medical experts

A new method of social network analysis has been developed to identify opinion leaders and media experts in the field of health. The system, which uses text mining technology, was tested on the topic of obesity and found experts with an accuracy of about 90%. It also identified non-scientific experts who support a particular cause.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biomedical Semantics·DateMar 14, 2012

An evolutionary surprise

Scientists have found highly similar signaling centers in the acorn worm that direct the formation of its embryonic body plan. This discovery provides unexpected insight into the evolution of vertebrate development and genetics, revealing complex mechanisms for establishing body plans in distant relatives.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMar 14, 2012

How muscle cells seal their membranes

Muscle cells have efficient systems to seal holes in their plasma membranes. Researchers at KIT and Heidelberg University observed membrane repair in real-time using a novel imaging method. They found that membrane vesicles form a repair patch, which is sealed off from the extracellular environment.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 14, 2012

New study shines light on barriers to diabetes care in NYC Bangladeshi community

A new research survey found that the Bangladeshi community in NYC experiences significant barriers to diabetes care, including low English proficiency and limited awareness. The study also showed a high willingness among respondents to participate in community health programs for prevention and care.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMar 14, 2012

Vineyard records link early grape ripening to climate change

Scientists have attributed early grape ripening in wine grapes to climate warming and soil water content declines. The study reveals that management factors also influence the shift, providing opportunities for growers to develop adaptation strategies. Human-induced climate change is a key driver of this trend.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 14, 2012

Millions of Americans at risk of flooding as sea levels rise

New research suggests nearly four million Americans, covering an area larger than Maryland, are at risk of severe flooding due to rising sea levels. The US Government's current flood zones may not be stable with predicted sea level rise, and many locations will experience high flooding every decade or more often.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 14, 2012

Female sex workers in developing countries are around 14 times more likely to be infected by HIV than women in general population

A meta-analysis of 102 studies found that female sex workers in low-income and middle-income countries have an overall HIV prevalence of 12%, with a 14 times increased risk of infection compared to the general female population. The region with the highest risk was Asia, where the risk was 29 times increased.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMar 14, 2012

Crocodilians bite with the best

A study published in PLOS ONE found that crocodilians possess a remarkable capacity for generating force through their bites. The researchers measured bite forces and tooth pressures for 23 species of crocodilians, with saltwater crocodiles displaying the strongest bite force at over 3,700 pounds.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 14, 2012

Getting a full picture of an elusive subject

Researchers used Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes to map dark matter in galaxy cluster Abell 383. The study found a stretched-out, football-like shape of dark matter, with the point aligned close to the line of sight. The results challenge standard models and suggest further research is needed to resolve the discrepancy.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 14, 2012

New wheat for salty soils

A salt-tolerant variety of durum wheat has been developed using traditional crop breeding techniques, delivering increased yields on salty soils. The research introduces a salt-tolerant gene into commercial wheat, providing farmers with an alternative for growing premium wheat in saline paddocks.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 14, 2012

'Personalized immune' mouse offers new tool for studying autoimmune diseases

Researchers have developed a personalized immune mouse that can recreate an individual's immune system, allowing for unprecedented analysis of abnormalities contributing to type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. This model has the potential to develop individualized immunotherapies against cancer and infection.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 14, 2012