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Science News for October 1, 2012


Meeting pigs' phosphorous requirements with fermented soybean meal

Researchers found that pigs digest the phosphorous in fermented soybean meal (FSBM) better than conventional soybean meal due to fermentation's ability to release phytate-bound phosphorus. FSBM offers a 65.5% standardized, total-tract digestibility of phosphorus, compared to 46.1% in conventional soybean meal.

Special Journal issue focuses on radiology's role in health care reform

A special issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology explores radiology's role in health care reform, including utilization management, value-based payment systems, and patient-centered outcomes. The issue highlights the importance of radiologists being involved in directing overall health policy and budget discussions.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateOct 1, 2012

Sugar-free approach to treating Kaposi sarcoma

Researchers found that blocking galectin-1 in mice with established Kaposi sarcomas slowed tumor growth by suppressing blood vessel formation. This breakthrough holds promise for new treatment options for patients with KS and may also be effective for other diseases characterized by aberrant blood vessel growth.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 1, 2012

Moderate alcohol consumption may increase risk of atrial fibrillation in people with heart disease

A large study found that moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of atrial fibrillation in older people with heart disease or advanced diabetes. The study involved over 30,000 individuals from 40 countries and found a significant increase in atrial fibrillation cases linked to higher alcohol consumption.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 1, 2012

Baby communication gives clues to autism

University of Miami researchers identified a link between early non-verbal communication skills and the risk of developing autism. The study found that babies as young as eight months old who showed lower levels of referential communication were more likely to exhibit severe autism symptoms by age three.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalInfancy·DateOct 1, 2012

Fluoxetine increases aggressive behavior, affects brain development among adolescent hamsters

A study published in Behavioral Neuroscience found that repeated fluoxetine administration to adolescent hamsters increased offensive aggression and altered brain areas related to aggression control. The research suggests that clinically relevant doses of fluoxetine during adolescence can dramatically alter brain circuitry implicated i...

SourceNortheastern University College of Science·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateOct 1, 2012

Computerized osteoporosis detection

Researchers have developed a new computerized technique to diagnose osteoporosis using X-rays, which estimates bone porosity and improves accuracy over visual examination. The system has shown high accuracy rates of less than 2% in detecting osteoporosis in elderly Asian patients.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateOct 1, 2012

Overweight teens get mental health boost from even small amounts of exercise

Overweight adolescents who engaged in regular exercise showed improvements in scholastic competence, social competence, and body image, according to a recent study. The researchers found that even modest doses of aerobic exercise had a positive impact on mental health, including psychological empowerment and reduced emotional distress.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateOct 1, 2012

Smartphone technology acceptable for telemedicine

A Mayo Clinic study confirms the effectiveness of smartphone teleradiology applications in evaluating stroke patients in remote settings. The study shows high agreement (92-100%) among reviewers on critical radiological features, paving the way for telemedicine expansion.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalStroke·DateOct 1, 2012

JCI early table of contents for October 1, 2012

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina found that saturated fatty acids and specific metabolic pathways contribute to diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice. Additionally, a study published by Helen Hobbs' group identified the mutation PNPLA3 as a contributing factor to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 1, 2012

Misconduct, not error, accounts for most scientific paper retractions

A new study found that misconduct accounts for two-thirds of all retracted scientific papers, with fraud or suspected fraud being the leading cause. The number of retractions has increased 10-fold since 1975, attributed to a winner-take-all culture in science that rewards publication and reputation over integrity.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 1, 2012

Popular antidepressant might prevent heart failure

Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that paroxetine inhibits GRK2, a protein kinase involved in heart failure, improving myocardial contractility without affecting heart rate. The team hopes to optimize and develop these compounds into therapeutic leads for heart failure treatment.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateOct 1, 2012

Therapeutic time window important factor for cord blood cell transplantation after stoke

A study found that transplantation within a 72-hour time window resulted in early functional recovery and reduced brain atrophy. The optimal therapeutic time window was determined to be between 72 hours and 120 hours after stroke onset, with no benefit observed when transplanted at 14 days.

Longest fiber-optic sensor network developed

Montserrat Fernández-Vallejo has developed the longest fibre-optic sensor network measuring 250 km with a multiplexing capability, enabling remote monitoring of large infrastructures. The network addresses three main challenges: multiplexing sensors, ensuring continued service in case of faults, and allowing remote monitoring.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·DateOct 1, 2012

Republican strength in Congress aids super-rich, president's affiliation has no effect

A new study by American Sociological Association investigates the rise of the top 1 percent and finds that Republican strength in Congress increases their share of income. The study also reveals a significant link between decreased union membership and higher levels of inequality, as well as a strong effect of financial asset bubbles o...

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 1, 2012

Low birth weight may increase risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes

A new study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that being born with a low birth weight may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and diabetes later in life. Researchers found that older female rats had a reduced ability to become pregnant and carried babies that were smaller or lighter in weight.

Climate change cripples forests

Researchers found that warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric evaporative demand will lead to widespread tree mortality and changes in forest distributions. The study used a 'Forest Drought Stress Index' to estimate annual regional tree-growth variability with exceptional accuracy.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 1, 2012

How sexual power can be disempowering

A new study by Dr. Lisa Rosenthal found that social dominance orientation can lead to increased sexual risk-taking and decreased confidence among both men and women, particularly when it comes to using female condoms.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateOct 1, 2012

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Oct. 2, 2012

Researchers found that inviting patients to read their doctors' notes boosts patient engagement, adherence, and control in healthcare plans with minimal impact on doctor workload. Additionally, the use of electronic health records improves diabetes care by enhancing monitoring, treatment, and glucose control. New equations for estimati...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 1, 2012

Nano-hillocks: Of mountains and craters

A team of researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and TU Vienna discovered that highly charged ions can create nano-hillocks or craters on surfaces. The formation depends on the ion beam's charge state and kinetic energy, with nano-hillocks forming at higher energies.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 1, 2012

Putting a 'HEX' on muscle regeneration

Researchers found that HEXIM1 blocks gene expression necessary for muscle regeneration after injury, leading to increased muscle mass and function in mice with reduced HEXIM1 levels. This suggests that HEXIM1 may be a key regulator of skeletal muscle regeneration and a potential therapeutic target for degenerative muscle diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 1, 2012

Tree rings go with the flow of the Amazon

Researchers have used tree rings from cedar trees in Bolivia to record a 100-year history of rainfall across the Amazon basin. The study found that lowland tropical cedar trees provide a natural archive of data closely related to historic rainfall, allowing for a detailed understanding of past climate variability.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 1, 2012

Preoperative needle breast biopsies can lead to improved treatment outcomes

A new study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that needle biopsies can lead to improved treatment outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Patients who underwent needle biopsies were more likely to have adequate tumor excision and lymph node assessment compared to those who received open biopsies.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 1, 2012

AGU journal highlights -- 1 October 2012

Scientific studies reveal pros and cons of free market approach to water trading in Australia's Murray Darling Basin. Researchers also uncover connections between typhoon tracks, rainfall patterns, and flood timing, with potential applications for improved real-time flood warning systems.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 1, 2012

Sea-level study shows signs of things to come

A new study predicts that sea levels will continue to rise for thousands of years due to irreversible warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The research suggests that the Earth's ice sheets and oceans will contribute significantly to this rise, with a possible increase of up to 6.8 meters in the next thousand years.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 1, 2012

First images of Landau levels revealed

Scientists at the University of Warwick and Tohoku University have directly imaged Landau Levels, showing concentric rings that increase according to energy level. The discovery uses scanning tunnelling spectroscopy to overcome material disorder, shedding light on the quantum Hall effect.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 1, 2012

Restricting nuclear power has little effect on the cost of climate policies

A recent study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that restricting nuclear power has minimal effect on the cost of climate policies. The researchers discovered that early retirement of nuclear power plants would lead to cumulative global GDP losses amounting to around 10-20 percent of climate policy costs.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 1, 2012

Marine animals could hold the key to looking young

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered genes in sea urchins and sea cucumbers that can change collagen elasticity, potentially leading to new ways to keep skin looking young and healthy. The study found peptides that cause rapid stiffening or softening of collagen, which could be used to combat aging-related wrinkles.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology·DateOct 1, 2012

The obese brain may thwart weight loss

Research indicates diets high in saturated fat and refined sugar may impair brain function in obese individuals, leading to increased overconsumption of high-calorie foods. Obesity-related changes may also lead to permanent cognitive decline, making it a lifelong battle to maintain weight loss.

SourceAmerican University·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateOct 1, 2012

Evidence-based guidelines enable optimal treatment of common low-back pain

A set of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines has been established to guide the diagnosis and treatment of low-back pain in the US. The guidelines recommend careful observation, over-the-counter pain medication, and targeted physical activity for most patients, while reserving imaging and surgery for specific cases with red flags.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateOct 1, 2012

No relief for relief workers: Humanitarian aid work raises risk of depression and anxiety

A new study finds that humanitarian aid workers are at significant risk for mental health problems in the field and after returning home. The risk factors include a history of mental illness, weak social support, and continual exposure to a challenging work environment, rather than experiencing particular dangerous situations.

The chemical memory of seawater

Researchers have identified thousands of individual components in dissolved organic matter (DOM) in seawater using ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. This allows them to infer information about the water's past, including its age, exposure to sunlight, and even which marine life once inhabited it.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalBiogeosciences·DateOct 1, 2012

UCLA-led study finds direct correlation between hospital bedsores, patient mortality

A new clinical study by UCLA researchers found a direct correlation between pressure ulcers, or bedsores, and patient mortality, as well as longer hospital stays and readmissions. The study tracked over 51,000 Medicare beneficiaries and found that seniors with bedsores were more likely to die during their hospital stay.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 1, 2012