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Science News for September 14, 2012


Surgery more profound effect than anesthesia on brain pathology, cognition in Alzheimer's mice

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that surgery itself has a profound impact on brain pathology and cognition in mice with human Alzheimer disease genes. Surgery causes a lasting increase in Alzheimer's pathology and significant cognitive impairment, primarily through inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateSep 14, 2012

Researchers find our inner reptile hearts

Scientists have identified the genetic building blocks behind the human heart's subtle control system, which shares similarities with birds and reptiles. The study reveals that a spongy inner tissue in fetal hearts stretches out to form a fine network of conductive tissue in adult animals.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 14, 2012

X-rays reveal the self-defence mechanisms of bacteria

A new X-ray study reveals that persister cells are regulated by toxins produced by the bacteria themselves, allowing them to enter a dormant state. This understanding can lead to the development of treatments that block toxin function and production, potentially improving outcomes in life-threatening diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalStructure·DateSep 14, 2012

Feeling stressed by your job? Don’t blame your employer, study shows

A recent study by University of Notre Dame researcher Timothy Judge found that genes play a significant role in job stress and health problems. He studied nearly 600 twins and discovered that shared genes were about four times more important than shared environments in shaping personality, stress, and health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateSep 14, 2012

Probing matters of the heart

A new study has outlined how interactions between genes, proteins and molecules direct the development of stem cells into mature heart cells. The research could help scientists better understand how genetic mutations lead to congenital heart defects and assist efforts to engineer artificial heart tissue.

Simple tool may help evaluate risk for violence among patients with mental illness

A new study suggests that a simple, structured risk assessment tool can improve the accuracy of clinicians in evaluating the risk of violence among patients with severe mental illnesses. The tool, called HRC-20-C, has been shown to be effective in reducing errors and improving safety for staff and patients in high-risk settings.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateSep 14, 2012

China's nuclear dilemma

China's unique deployment of modern conventional ballistic missiles has a decisive effect on its war plan, creating critical uncertainties. The country's military considers conventional missiles as a fundamental source of political and military strength, but this also generates risks of escalation.

SourceSAGE·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·DateSep 14, 2012