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Science News for May 24, 2012


Relationship between social status and wound-healing in wild baboons

A study by University of Notre Dame biologist Beth Archie and colleagues found that high-ranking male baboons recover more quickly from injuries and are less likely to become ill than other males. Social status is a better predictor of wound-healing than age, highlighting the complex interplay between social context, physiology, and im...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2012

Childhood cancer scars survivors later in life

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that childhood cancer survivors experience increased anxiety, depression, and depressive symptoms due to persistent hair loss and disfigurement. The study's findings highlight the long-term impact of childhood cancer treatment on quality of life.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMay 24, 2012

Male fertility genes discovered

A recent study has identified more than 40 genetic regions influencing fertility in Hutterite men, which may shed light on unexplained cases of male infertility. The research also found nine genetic regions impacting sperm quality in non-Hutterites.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMay 24, 2012

Gene therapy can correct forms of severe combined immunodeficiency

A recent clinical trial found that gene therapy can insert the correct ADA gene into patient bone marrow cells, leading to a good response. Defects in B cell tolerance are also corrected after gene therapy, supporting its use as an effective treatment option for ADA-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 24, 2012

A new strategy for developing meningitis vaccines

Researchers identified glycerophosphate oxidase as a critical protein for bacterial progression to the brain. A vaccine against this protein protected mice from invasive pneumococcal disease, offering a new approach to immunizing against S. pneumoniae.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 24, 2012

Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance

A new study from Michigan State University reveals that exercising with a moderately capable virtual partner can significantly boost motivation, with women cycling twice as long when working with a partner. The results suggest the gains observed over six hour-long sessions could be sustained on a longer-term program of exercise.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateMay 24, 2012

Positive words: The glue to social interaction

A study published in EPJ Data Science found that words with positive emotional content are more frequently used in online communication, enhancing social relations and facilitating interaction. This positive bias is linked to the use of less informative words for emotional expression.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateMay 24, 2012

Gourmet butterflies speed north

A new study found that warmer summers have allowed the Brown Argus butterfly to shift its diet to wild Geranium plants, enabling it to expand its range in Britain at a rapid rate. Over 20 years, the butterfly has spread northwards by 79km, becoming common in southern England.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 2012

Business students better equipped to evaluate peers

A study by Concordia University found that business students who evaluate their peers regularly improve in evaluating others. This leads to more effective management skills. The research developed a standardized online peer evaluation system, which can be incorporated into university-wide programs.

SourceConcordia University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateMay 24, 2012

Locating ground zero

Microglia, the brain's emergency workers, use a long-lasting glutamate-driven calcium wave to detect injuries, allowing them to trace the signal backwards until they reach the site of damage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMay 24, 2012

Infections may be deadly for many dialysis patients

A recent study suggests that peritonitis, a common infection in dialysis patients on peritoneal dialysis, may be linked to premature death. Researchers found that patients were more likely to develop peritonitis during the final month before their death, and even six times more so during the 30 days prior to their death.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 24, 2012

Relatively speaking: Researchers identify principles that shape kinship categories across languages

A new study reveals that kinship categories across languages reflect general principles of communication, including a trade-off between simplicity and informativeness. The study found that languages use only a handful of the vast number of logically possible kinship categories, with English and Mandarin Chinese using two and four terms...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 2012

Slip-and-slide power generators

A new technology harnesses power from a single droplet sliding along an electret film, producing electricity when it reaches maximum velocity. The device has potential for low-power portable devices and human body motion harvesting, with a prototype demonstrating peak output power of 0.18 microwatts.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 24, 2012

The secret to good tomato chemistry

A team of researchers has identified 24 compounds as responsible for the distinct flavors and aromas of heirloom tomatoes. These findings hold promise for improving the flavor of commercially grown tomatoes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 24, 2012

JCI early table of contents for May 24, 2012

Researchers developed a new method to identify vaccine targets for Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis. Gene therapy has shown promise in treating adenosine deaminase deficiency by correcting B cell tolerance problems and supporting treatment options for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 24, 2012

Drug allergy discovery

A research team at the University of Melbourne has discovered the biological mechanisms behind drug hypersensitivities, revealing how the immune system perceives the body's own tissues as foreign. The finding could lead to the development of a diagnostic test to determine drug hypersensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature·DateMay 24, 2012

Brightly colored bird bills indicate good health

A study by Queen's University researcher Troy Murphy found female birds with more colourful bills have higher antibody levels, indicating greater strength and ability to fight off invaders. The colour of a female bird's bill is strongly correlated with immunoglobulin antibodies, a component of the immune system in birds.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateMay 24, 2012