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Science News Archive November 2012 - Page 22


Page 22 of 23

Health project in India saved many mothers and children

A four-year health care project in India's poorest district resulted in a half-fall in infant mortality and a three-quarters reduction in women's death from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Nurse-based clinics expanded access to healthcare, changing attitudes towards patients and leading to increased check-ups and hospital births.

SourceLinköping University·JournalRural and Remote Health·DateNov 2, 2012

Developmental bait and switch

A recent study led by Caltech researchers provides new insights into the process of neural crest cell development. The team discovered that DNA-methyltransferase (DNMT) enzyme acts as a switch to determine which cells will remain part of the central nervous system and which will become neural crest cells.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 1, 2012

New target discovered for food allergy treatment

Scientists at National Jewish Health identified a novel target for treating peanut allergies by inhibiting Pim 1 kinase, which increases in the intestines of allergic mice. Treatment with a small molecule inhibitor reduced allergic symptoms, including diarrhea and histamine levels.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 1, 2012

Church-going teens go further with school

Research found that church-affiliated teens are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in college, with mentors playing a significant role in their educational success. The study's findings highlight the importance of religious participation and spirituality in achieving higher education attainment.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion·DateNov 1, 2012

Study: Use of antipsychotic drugs improves life expectancy for individuals with schizophrenia

A Johns Hopkins study found that sticking to a medication regimen reduces debilitating delusions and hallucinations in individuals with schizophrenia. Regular visits to a mental health professional also increase survival rates, suggesting that adhering to treatment plans can improve life expectancy for those affected by the illness.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalSchizophrenia Bulletin·DateNov 1, 2012

Combination treatment may improve survival of breast cancer patients with brain metastases

A combination of an anti-HER2 drug and an angiogenesis inhibitor significantly improves survival in a mouse model of brain metastatic breast cancer. The treatment extends patient survival by slowing the growth of brain tumors, making it a promising approach for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who develop brain metastases.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2012

Inflammation and cognition in schizophrenia

A new study explores the impact of the interleukin-1β gene on brain function alterations associated with schizophrenia. The research found that patients with schizophrenia who were homozygous for the C allele showed reduced prefrontal cortex activation, while healthy volunteers did not differ by genotype.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateNov 1, 2012

Gene switch important in cancer discovered

Scientists have discovered that a gene switch regulates the expression of genes and promotes cancer development, according to a study published in Science. The study found that removing a specific region containing a genetic variant increased resistance to tumor formation in mice.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience·DateNov 1, 2012

Music in our ears: The science of timbre

A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology uses a computer model to accurately mimic how the brain processes musical timbre, allowing for better instrument recognition. The researchers found that wind and percussive instruments tend to be most different from each other, with strings and winds being closer together.

SourcePLOS·DateNov 1, 2012

A protein’s role in helping cells repair DNA damage

Researchers found that TFIIB halts general transcription when DNA damage occurs, enabling cells to prioritize repair and support p53's tumor-suppressing functions. This process allows p53 to bypass the need for TFIIB phosphorylation, activating its target genes vital for DNA damage response.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2012

Bridging the gap between genomics and education

The Nowgen Schools Genomics Programme provides free, multi-media resources to update the study of modern genetics in schools and colleges. The resources aim to bring cutting-edge research into the classroom, helping teachers and students explore the impact and potential of modern genetics.

Bird tree tells new tale of evolution

Researchers have created the world's first family tree linking every known bird species and found that they are accelerating their rate of evolution. The study reveals that birds' speciation rate is increasing, not declining, with no drop-off in tropical regions.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalNature·DateNov 1, 2012

Male fertility can be restored after cancer treatment, says Pitt team

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has successfully restored fertility in male primates who became sterile due to cancer drug side effects. The study involved transplanting spermatogonial stem cells into testes, resulting in functional sperm that fertilized eggs and produced early embryos.

How the negative trumps the positive in politics

A recent study by George Bizer and colleagues found that negatively framed political attitudes are stronger than positively framed attitudes, particularly when people process the messages deeply. This effect is strengthened when people think more deeply about the issues involved.

SourceUnion College·JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology·DateNov 1, 2012

MIT and Northwestern economists find kinship networks play key role to access credit

A new study by MIT and Northwestern economists reveals that kinship networks are crucial for accessing credit, smoothing consumption, and financing large investments. The research suggests that indirect access to banks is as effective as a direct connection, highlighting the importance of social safety nets in reducing financial vulner...

SourceConsortium on Financial Systems & Poverty·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateNov 1, 2012

Brain may 'see' more than the eyes, study indicates

Researchers discovered that fruit fly larvae with simple eyes can assemble complex images using rapid head scanning, challenging traditional views on vision. The study suggests the brain plays a crucial role in processing visual input, enabling organisms to recognize details and patterns despite limited visual acuity.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 1, 2012

Scientists launch international study of open-fire cooking and air quality

The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to analyze the effects of smoke from traditional cooking methods on human health. The researchers will combine sensors with computer models to examine links between air pollutants and diseases such as meningitis in northern Ghana.