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Science News Archive November 2012 - Page 15


Page 15 of 23

Like a game of poker, school programs' success can hinge on principals going 'all in'

A new study published by the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia found that school principals' level of enthusiasm and support plays a critical role in teachers' ability to successfully implement school programs. Without principal support, teachers view administrators as a hindrance to program success, while enthusi...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPrevention Science·DateNov 15, 2012

Letter from doctor boosts cholesterol medication use

A new study found that using electronic health records (EHRs) can identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease and encourage them to receive cholesterol-lowering medication. The study showed that patients who received personalized risk assessments via mail were twice as likely to receive a prescription for lipid-lowering m...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 15, 2012

Parkinson's disease protein causes disease spread and neuron death in healthy animals

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that injecting synthetic, misfolded α-Syn protein into healthy mice recapitulates Parkinson's disease progression, leading to dopamine neuron death and Lewy body formation. The study establishes a mechanistic link between α-Syn transmission and neurodegeneration.

How insects domesticate bacteria

Researchers discovered a new bacterium in an Indiana man's infected wound, revealing how insects domesticate bacteria. The strain, HS, has a relatively large genetic blueprint and is closely related to Sodalis-like bacteria that live in many insect species.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 15, 2012

Studies in Cell Transplantation investigate oxygen's impact as a factor in transplantation

Researchers at Baylor University discovered that low temperatures can prevent hypoxia-induced damage to islet cells, improving insulin secretion. In a second study, neural cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells showed altered oxygen metabolism associated with schizophrenia, offering potential targets for treatment.

Extracting meaning from the social web

Researchers at Clemson's Social Media Listening Center are developing techniques to analyze the implications of social media for national elections. They have created a prototype visualization tool that captures social media posts related to selected races in the 2012 Congressional election.

Supercharged

By using high-powered X-ray laser, researchers stripped a record 36 electrons from a xenon atom, achieving a previously unachievable positively charged state. This breakthrough will help create new states of matter and produce higher-quality images of nano-world objects.

SourceKansas State University·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 15, 2012

Scientists show protein-making machinery can switch gears with a small structural change process, which may have implications for immunity and cancer therapy, compared to the movie The Transformers

Researchers show tRNA synthetases, essential in protein production, can also regulate transcription through a single chemical alteration, with implications for immune response and cancer. This transformation may lead to new treatments for allergies and cancer.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 15, 2012

Study shows different approach after progression in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Researchers found that local ablative therapy and continuation of targeted drugs can prolong disease control by up to 6.2 months in patients with EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating NSCLC after progression, particularly for patients with oligoprogressive disease.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 15, 2012

A new way of looking at Prader-Willi Syndrome

A new study reveals that individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome may have an impaired autonomic nervous system, leading to abnormal heart rate variability after meals. The findings suggest potential alternative treatments for the condition, which is characterized by insatiable appetite and high cardiovascular risk.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalClinical Endocrinology·DateNov 15, 2012

Potential new technique for anticancer radiotherapy could provide alternative to brachytherapy

A promising new approach to treating solid tumors with radiation has been developed, which uses an injectable substance that spontaneously assembles into a radioactive seed after injection. This technique shows great efficacy and minimal toxicity in a mouse model of cancer, providing a useful alternative to existing brachytherapy.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 15, 2012

How cells in the nose detect odors

Scientists at UC Riverside and Stanford University identified a molecular mechanism that blocks the expression of most olfactory receptor genes in flies, but allows for specific receptors to be expressed in response to carbon dioxide. This complex acts as a brake, releasing only when necessary to generate diverse sensors in the nose.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 14, 2012

Oldest fossil of giant panda family discovered

Two fossils discovered in southwest Europe represent a new genus likely to be the oldest known members of the giant panda family. The fossils, dated to 11.6 million years ago, share characteristics with bears adapted to eating tough plant material like bamboo.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 14, 2012

Want better employees? Get somebody else to rate their personalities, suggests new study

Researchers found that outside observers, including personal acquaintances and co-workers, can provide equally fair evaluations of employees' personalities as those who know them in a work context. This challenge traditional practices of using self-rated personality tests, which may lead to biased perceptions.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Personality·DateNov 14, 2012