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Science News Archive March 2012 - Page 28


Page 28 of 32

Texas A&M astronomers help find distant galaxy cluster to shed light on early universe

The discovery of the most distant galaxy cluster reveals that it is located 10.5 billion light-years away from our Milky Way galaxy and contains a dense concentration of 30 galaxies. This finding provides insights into the evolution of galaxy clusters and the formation of large urban centers in the universe's earliest moments.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 6, 2012

Irreversible catastrophic brain hemorrhage after minor injury in a patient on dabigatran

A case report reveals the devastating consequences of dabigatran-induced brain hemorrhage, emphasizing the importance of rapid assessment and intervention after minor head trauma in patients taking anticoagulant medications. The study's findings underscore the need for medical providers to be aware of this high-risk complication.

SourceJournal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateMar 6, 2012

Removing molecule speeds relief from depression

A study suggests deleting a protein that regulates nerve cell growth can increase new nerve cells and speed up antidepressant effects, potentially offering a novel therapeutic approach for depression. The research found that mice without this protein showed improved symptoms of depression and anxiety even without medication.

Looking at the man in the moon

Caltech researchers found that the man in the moon's face is not just a coincidence, but rather a result of the moon's slowed-down rotation rate. The side with the man facing Earth had about two-to-one odds of being visible due to the dissipation rate of the moon's rotational energy.

Marriage: A powerful heart drug in short supply

A new study by the American Sociological Association found that married adults undergoing heart surgery are more than three times as likely to survive the next three months compared to single individuals. The study also showed that marriage continues to provide a strong protective effect on survival for up to five years after surgery.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateMar 6, 2012

Exercise changes your DNA

Researchers discovered that exercise alters DNA molecules within muscles, leading to improved strength and metabolism. The study also found that caffeine can mimic this effect, suggesting a potential alternative to traditional exercise for some individuals.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 6, 2012

Research on flavanols and procyanidins provides new insights into how these phytonutrients may positively impact human health

Recent studies have demonstrated that flavanols and procyanidins play distinct roles in the human body, with flavanols being directly absorbed to exert cardiovascular benefits. In contrast, procyanidins are poorly absorbed and do not break down into flavanols, suggesting a need for more precise discrimination between these phytonutrients.

SourceCNC (UK) Ltd.·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 6, 2012

Scientists search for source of creativity

A new study by USC researchers reveals that creativity requires both hemispheres of the brain, with the left hemisphere playing a crucial supporting role. The study found that visual creative tasks lit up the left hemisphere more than non-creative tasks, indicating its potential importance in creative thinking.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateMar 5, 2012

Head for the cloud

Researchers identified six essential security aspects for cloud computing: confidentiality, integrity, availability, utility, authenticity, and possession. Users prioritize these elements based on personal needs, weighing pros and cons to reach a compromise.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Communication Networks and Distributed Systems·DateMar 5, 2012

Lasting T cell memories

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that humans can build up memory T cell numbers over time without sacrificing old ones, unlike previous studies on mice that suggested space limitations. The discovery has significant implications for understanding human immune responses and potential treatments.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 5, 2012

Organic strawberries better pollinated

A study by Lund University found that organic strawberry farms had significantly higher pollination rates (45% vs. 17%) due to the absence of pesticides and non-organic fertilizers. This positive effect on pollination was evident within 2-4 years after farm certification.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 5, 2012

Family members of ICU patients too optimistic when faced with grim prognoses

A study found that family members of ICU patients tend to be overly optimistic about recovery prospects, even when faced with poor prognoses. The researchers suggest that this optimism serves as a coping mechanism in high-stress situations, and may lead to caregiver decisions that do not reflect the patient's values.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 5, 2012

The Blue Planet's new water budget

Scientists at University of Copenhagen have reconstructed the isotopic composition of 3.8 billion-year-old seawater, revealing that young planet's oceans had proportionately more 'normal water' than 'heavy water'. This discovery suggests Earth has lost less than ¼ of its water budget over the last roughly 4 billion years.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2012

Pond hockey heats up

Canada's outdoor skating season has decreased significantly due to global warming, with the Prairies and Southwest regions experiencing the largest decreases. The research predicts a complete end to outdoor skating in British Columbia and Southern Alberta within a few decades.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 5, 2012