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Science News for September 27, 2012


Work-family conflict translates to greater risk of musculoskeletal pain for hospital workers

A study by George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services suggests that work-family conflict is linked to a higher risk of neck and shoulder pain in hospital workers. Researchers found that employees with high work-life imbalance were nearly three times more likely to report arm pain.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine·DateSep 27, 2012

Chocolate makes snails smarter

Researchers found that a specific flavonoid in dark chocolate enhances the memories of pond snails, allowing them to learn and retain information more effectively. The study suggests that this compound may have potential cognitive benefits for humans as well, potentially improving learning and memory retention.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateSep 27, 2012

Uptick in cinematic smoking

A new UCSF study reveals a significant uptick in cinematic smoking, with top-grossing films featuring nearly 1,900 tobacco incidents in 2011. The increase in onscreen smoking targeted young audiences, contributing to the risk of starting to smoke and developing tobacco-induced disease.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateSep 27, 2012

Learning to overcome fear is difficult for teens

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that adolescents' brains have impaired fear extinction learning, making it difficult for them to overcome fear. This may explain why anxiety and depression rates surge during adolescence.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2012

Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer

A new optical imaging technology, developed at Tufts University School of Engineering, uses near infrared light to scan breast tissue and can identify water, fats, and oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor tissue. This non-invasive technique could complement standard mammography, particularly for women with dense breast tissue.

Sandia probability maps help sniff out food contamination

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories created a method to analyze food supply networks using stochastic network representation, which can help identify contaminated food sources more quickly. This technique uses probability maps to express uncertainties in supplier-customer relationships and assess the risk of foodborne illness.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalInternational Journal of Critical Infrastructures·DateSep 27, 2012

Stanford bioengineers introduce 'Bi-Fi' -- The biological internet

Researchers at Stanford University have developed Bi-Fi, a biological internet that allows cells to communicate using DNA strands. This system increases the complexity and amount of data that can be transmitted between cells, paving the way for greater control over biological functions and potential applications in biosynthetic factories.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Engineering·DateSep 27, 2012

Popular HIV drug may cause memory declines

A Johns Hopkins research suggests that the commonly prescribed anti-retroviral drug efavirenz attacks brain cells, contributing to cognitive impairment. The study found that 8-hydroxyefavirenz is 10 times more toxic to brain cells than the drug itself.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·DateSep 27, 2012

How tribal courts can end war

In Enga, village court magistrates focus on restitution and 'restorative justice,' sending combatants home with compensation. The system has reduced violence and deaths, showing that indigenous means of conflict resolution can be more effective than Western law.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2012

Researchers investigate aggression among kindergartners

A study by Penn State researchers found that kindergartners' aggressive behavior can be attributed to varying levels of verbal ability and physiological arousal. The team identified two groups: one characterized by low verbal ability and the other by high emotional reactivity.

SourcePenn State·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·DateSep 27, 2012

Newspaper sales suffer due to lack of stimulating content

A recent study published in the Journal of Mass Communication Quarterly found that readers are looking for more engaging content from newspapers. The authors suggest that journalists and practitioners focus on creating stimulating content to curb the decline in newspaper sales.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Quarterly·DateSep 27, 2012

Dollars for donors: Many support financial incentives to encourage organ donation

A study found that nearly half of Canadians view financial incentives for deceased kidney donation as acceptable. Lower-income individuals were not more likely to donate for financial gain, according to the researchers. The study suggests that financial incentives may increase donations from both living and deceased donors.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 27, 2012

The GOP has a feminine face, UCLA study finds

A UCLA study found that female politicians with stereotypically feminine facial features are more likely to be Republican, while those with less feminine features are more likely to be Democrat. The researchers used a computer model to analyze the faces of 434 House Representatives and found a strong correlation between facial features...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateSep 27, 2012

Disappearing act

Researchers from Northwestern University and others demonstrate 'transient electronics' that dissolve in a well-controlled manner. These biocompatible devices could be used for medical implants, environmental monitors, or military applications, offering advantages over conventional electronics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2012

More than 60 percent of people in low- and lower-middle income regions are not accessing any appropriate epilepsy treatment

A study finds that more than 60% of people in low- and lower-middle income regions are not accessing any appropriate epilepsy treatment. The burden of epilepsy in these regions is estimated to be at least double that found in high-income countries, with inadequate facilities for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 27, 2012

Moffitt Cancer Center researchers find possible key to regulation of ovarian cancer stem cells

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered that microRNA miR-214 plays a critical role in regulating ovarian cancer stem cell properties. The study found that miR-214 induces the expression of a stem cell transcription factor (Nanog), leading to chemoresistance and potentially serving as a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 27, 2012

Rewriting the rules of teamwork

A team of MSU researchers will conduct a three-year study on how teams work together, using surveys, interviews, and high-tech devices to monitor interaction. The goal is to measure the effectiveness of both formal and informal structures when multiple teams are involved.

Helicopter heroes save lives

A multi-centre study in France found that patients transported by helicopter had a lower risk of death compared to those transported by road. The benefit was seen even after adjusting for severity of injury. Helicopter transport saves lives for the most severely injured patients, despite being a costly and limited resource.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateSep 27, 2012

Next up: Electronics that vanish in the environment or the body

Researchers have developed biodegradable electronics that can dissolve in water or bodily fluids, opening new design paradigms for medical implants, environmental monitors and consumer devices. The technology harnesses techniques for making tiny electronic systems out of ultrathin sheets of silicon, which can completely dissolve in a f...

Predatory bacterial crowdsourcing

Scientists at Rice University and UTHealth discovered a simple formula that enables Myxococcus xanthus bacteria to create waves to spread and devour other bacteria. The formula involves side-to-side contact between cells, a reversal time interval, and physical interactions, allowing the waves to move outward in unison.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 27, 2012

Scaling up polymer blobs

Researchers used simulations to study the scaling behavior of polymers at extreme limits, where it depends on their density and length. They found that polymer blends in ultrathin films displayed enhanced compatibility due to the simulations' ability to efficiently compute dense large-chain systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateSep 27, 2012

Breakthrough for new diabetes treatment

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have made a major breakthrough in type II diabetes treatment by inhibiting VEGF-B. The study shows that VEGF-B inhibition can prevent and treat insulin resistance, which is related to the storage of fat in muscles, blood vessels, and heart.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature·DateSep 27, 2012

Landmark guidelines for optimal quality care of geriatric surgical patients just released

The new guidelines, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, apply to every patient 65 years and older as defined by Medicare regulations. The guidelines cover 13 key issues of preoperative care for the elderly, including cognitive impairment, decision-making capacity, and medication management.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateSep 27, 2012

Researchers examine bias among sports journalists on Twitter

A Clemson University and University of Louisville study found that sports journalists used Twitter to post biased commentary during the Penn State sex abuse scandal, blurring personal and professional boundaries. The research highlights the challenges of maintaining objectivity in social media news reporting.

SourceClemson University·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Communication·DateSep 27, 2012

Treating hepatitis C infection in prison is good public policy

A recent study found that treating hepatitis C in prison can be just as effective as treatment for non-incarcerated patients, with 43% of prisoners achieving a sustained viral response. The research highlights the importance of providing antiviral therapy to incarcerated individuals to curb the spread of hepatitis C.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateSep 27, 2012

Honey bees fight back against Varroa

Researchers discovered specific proteins in honey bees that help them resist Varroa mite infestations. These proteins enable the removal of infected larvae and reduce mite populations, promoting the survival of the species. This natural approach could provide a solution to Colony Collapse Disorder.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateSep 27, 2012

Hummingbirds make flying backward look easy

Researchers discovered hummingbirds' reverse flight is cheaper than hovering and equally costly to forward flight, employing unique kinematic adjustments. The study found that the birds reduce wing beat frequency and inclination during backwards flight, making it 20% more efficient.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateSep 27, 2012

Rutgers College of Nursing professor's research links increased hospital infections to nurse burnout

A recent Rutgers study found that increased nurse burnout is associated with higher rates of hospital-acquired infections, such as urinary tract and surgical site infections. By reducing burnout levels from 30% to 10%, researchers estimate a potential prevention of 4,160 infections and an estimated savings of $41 million.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateSep 27, 2012