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Science News Archive November 2012 - Page 21


Page 21 of 23

Kids need at least 7 minutes a day of 'vigorous' physical activity, but most aren't getting that

Researchers found that children need at least seven minutes a day of intense physical activity to prevent weight gain and obesity. The study tracked over 600 kids aged 9-17 and showed that vigorous activity reduced the risk of unhealthy weight, while sedentary behavior was common.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateNov 9, 2012

Study questions the relevance of SCIP benchmarks among CABG patients

A study from Boston University School of Medicine found that achieving SCIP benchmarks for glycemic control may not be relevant among patients undergoing CABG surgery who receive perioperative continuous insulin infusions. These patients had excellent glycemic control, despite being outliers in the SCIP guidelines.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateNov 9, 2012

A comparative medicine study by Penn vet identifies a new approach to combat viral infections

A comparative medicine study by Penn vet scientists identifies a new strategy for enhancing the effects of interferon in fighting off infection. The research suggests that targeting a particular molecule, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP1B), can boost the activity of a person's own interferon.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2012

SETAC announces Chris Lee Award for metals research winner, Kevin Brix

Kevin Brix, a University of Miami PhD graduate, has been awarded the SETAC/ICA Chris Lee Award for his outstanding research on metal toxicity in aquatic organisms. His work focuses on the mechanisms of metal toxicity to freshwater and marine species, with a particular emphasis on dietary metal exposure and its effects on aquatic life.

A new way of making glass

Researchers at the University of Bristol and Heinrich-Heine-Universität in Düsseldorf have developed a new way of making glass by changing its structure. This method uses computer simulations to encourage atoms in a molten alloy to form polyhedra, leading to a solid with a disordered atomic arrangement - a characteristic of glass.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 9, 2012

How infection can trigger autoimmune disease

Scientists confirm that an infection can trigger an autoimmune disease by identifying the exact conditions for an autoantibody response to occur. The research reveals a unique problem with the immune system's ability to distinguish between self and non-self, leading to autoimmunity in certain cases.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalImmunity·DateNov 9, 2012

When identity is tied to former employer, unemployed report higher well-being

A study by San Francisco State University Assistant Professor Jennifer Tosti-Kharas found that unemployed individuals who strongly identified with their former employer reported feeling more confident and having a greater sense of purpose. This strong sense of self appeared to offset the isolation common during job loss, particularly f...

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Managerial Psychology·DateNov 9, 2012

Cardiac bypass surgery superior to non-surgical procedure for adults with diabetes and heart disease

A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that cardiac bypass surgery is superior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for adults with diabetes and multi-vessel coronary heart disease. After five years, the CABG group had fewer adverse events and better survival rates than the PCI group.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 4, 2012

Abstract thinking can make you more politically moderate

Studies by University of Illinois researchers Jesse Preston and Daniel Yang found that asking people to think broadly about a subject can lead to increased moderation in political beliefs. The research used techniques known to induce an abstract mindset, such as viewing images or reading ambiguous articles in different formats.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 2, 2012

Want to influence support for redistributive tax policies? Choose your words carefully

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that using a specific frame to describe income inequality can influence people's views on redistributive tax policies. Participants who were told that the rich make more than the poor showed less opposition to raising taxes on the wealthy, while those in control conditions and tho...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 2, 2012

Solar system's birth record revised

Researchers have revised the timeline of our solar system's formation using uranium and lead isotopes in primitive meteorites. The study reveals that chondrules formed during the first three million years, contrary to previous assumptions. This new understanding paints a more familiar picture of planetary system development.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateNov 2, 2012

GSA session to address Hurricane Sandy

The Geological Society of America has organized a break-out discussion panel to address the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy on rapid sea-level rise and its impacts. Geoscience experts will discuss the changes caused by the storm to the U.S. East Coast, tying into scheduled presentations on the topic.

Giving fluorescence microscopy new power to study cellular transport

Researchers developed a new method to study cellular transport dynamics, providing more comprehensive information than existing methods. The dispersion-relation fluorescence spectroscopy (DFS) approach labels molecules of interest, analyzing spontaneous fluorescence intensity fluctuations to quantify mass transport dynamics.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 2, 2012

Young birds can get 'drunk' on fermented berries

A recent study by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) reveals that young blackbirds can become 'drunk' on fermented rowan berries. The birds exhibited symptoms similar to those of human intoxication, including unsteadiness, loss of coordination, and tendency to fall over.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalVeterinary Record·DateNov 2, 2012