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Science News for November 16, 2012


Into the magnetic resonance scanner with a cuddly toy

Bochum clinicians successfully performed MRI scans on 326 children without sedation, achieving a 97% diagnostic relevance rate. The BLADE technique was used to minimize blurring and maximize image quality, allowing for successful examinations in 41% of three-year-olds, 91% of four-year-olds, and 98% of patients over five years old.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalRöFo - Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren·DateNov 16, 2012

Children who swim start smarter

Children who learn to swim early achieve better visual-motor skills and excel in literacy and numeracy. The comprehensive three-year study found significant differences between swimming and non-swimming children, regardless of socio-economic status.

Reconsidering cancer's bad guy

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that a protein known for causing cancer cells to spread is also involved in brain repair. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests new avenues for treating degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2012

Antenna-on-a-chip rips the light fantastic

The Rice team's device can modulate a signal at more than 10 gigabits per second, making it suitable for real-time video processing and high-speed data throughput. This breakthrough has the potential to scale up the capability of optical information processing systems by several magnitudes.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 16, 2012

Are we closer to understanding the cause of deadly sepsis?

A growing body of literature suggests that alterations in regulatory T cell function may contribute to the development of sepsis. Manipulating these cells may offer a promising approach to treating patients with septic shock. The Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research reviews the current understanding of this complex immune response.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·DateNov 16, 2012

Important progress for spintronics

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a world's first spin amplifier that can be used at room temperature, a crucial step towards spintronics. This achievement has significant implications for the future of electronics and data processing.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 16, 2012

Level up: Study reveals keys to gamer loyalty

Online role-playing game developers can increase player loyalty by providing gamers with more opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and character ownership. The study found that strategies such as cooperative play and guilds built loyalty and social identity among players.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Commerce·DateNov 16, 2012

Fetus suffers when mother lacks vitamin C

A new study at the University of Copenhagen found that maternal vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy can stunt fetal hippocampus development by up to 10-15%, potentially leading to memory problems and learning difficulties. The damage cannot be reversed even with vitamin C supplements after birth.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 16, 2012