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Science News Archive 2013 - Page 58


Page 58 of 352

Low-frequency rTMS prevents chronic epileptic seizure

A study by Prof. Xiaoming Wang and team found that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) suppressed electrical activity in epileptic rats, leading to improved nonlinear electroencephalographic parameters. This suggests a potential antiepileptic effect of low-frequency rTMS in treating chronic epilepsy.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateOct 31, 2013

Scientists modify Botox for the treatment of pain

Researchers develop a new molecule combining elements of Botox and tetanus toxin to alleviate inflammatory pain, offering potential relief for chronic pain conditions and epilepsy. The engineered molecule could improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain with a single injection providing prolonged pain relief.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·DateOct 31, 2013

New knowledge about serious muscle disease

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made significant discoveries about muscular dystrophy, a collective term for neuromuscular disorders affecting 3,000 people in Denmark. The study found that proteins with attached sugar molecules, specifically mannose, play a key role in the disease's progression.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 31, 2013

Supreme Court's Obamacare decision established new limits on federal authority, IU paper says

A new paper by Tim Lemper argues that the Supreme Court's decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius established new limits on Congress' power to regulate commerce and use federal funds to coerce states. The court's decision placed groundbreaking limits on federal regulation, setting a precedent for future cases.

SourceIndiana University·JournalBusiness Horizons·DateOct 31, 2013

Can Aβ worsen cognitive impairment following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury?

Researchers found that amyloid beta-peptide worsened cognitive impairment following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inducing glycogen synthase kinase 3β and protein phosphatase 2A activity, resulting in tau protein phosphorylation. This study suggests a potential link between Alzheimer's disease and cerebral ischemia.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateOct 31, 2013

US policy should encourage highly skilled, foreign Ph.D. students to stay, CU-led study finds

A CU-led study suggests that attracting and retaining highly skilled foreign Ph.D. students can revitalize innovation and economic growth in the US. The researchers found that increased student diversity boosts innovative research and that high-performing foreign-born Ph.D. students improve the creation of knowledge in US universities.

NYU study on incarcerated youth shows potential to lower anti-social behavior and recidivism

A NYU study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that mindfulness training, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, improved attentional task performance in incarcerated adolescents. The intervention showed a protective effect on youths' attentional capacity, leading to better self-control and reduced anti-social behavior.

SourceNew York University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 31, 2013

Can putting your child before yourself make you a happier person?

A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that more child-centric parents experience higher happiness and a sense of purpose from having children. This contradicts popular media claims, suggesting that prioritizing children's well-being can actually improve parental well-being.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 31, 2013

New stem cells go back further

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully created induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) that can be kept in a pristine state, paving the way for growing transplant organs to order. The breakthrough enables the production of 'humanized' mouse models containing human-derived tissues.

Dogs know a left-sided wag from a right

Dogs exhibit asymmetric brain organization, with left-brain activation linked to right-tail wagging and right-brain activation tied to left-tail wagging. This difference affects emotional responses in dogs, who display anxious behavior when seeing a dog with a left-tail wag and relaxed responses when seeing a dog with a right-tail wag.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 31, 2013

Biochemists find incomplete protein digestion is a useful thing for some bacteria

Researchers found that partial degradation of a DNA replication protein is necessary for the survival of Caulobacter crescentus. The energy-dependent protease ClpXP generates specific-sized fragments required for normal growth and DNA repair, challenging previous assumptions about protein digestion in bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 31, 2013

Qigong can help fight fatigue in prostate cancer survivors

A pilot study shows that older patients who practiced Qigong experienced significant declines in fatigue and distress. The mind-body activity, which combines slow movements with deep breathing and meditation, was found to be an effective nonpharmacological intervention for managing prostate cancer-related fatigue.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateOct 30, 2013

A new treatment for heart attack will soon be available for emergency teams and the emergency ambulance

A new strategy for emergency anticoagulant treatment has been developed, using bivalirudin, which reduces the risk of death or serious bleeding by 8.5%, compared to traditional heparin treatment. The EUROMAX clinical trial found that this approach improves patient outcomes without increasing the risk of stent thrombosis.

Study finds pre-hospital administration of bivalirudin substantially improves outcomes compared to heparin in heart attack patients

The EUROMAX trial reveals that administering bivalirudin to STEMI patients in pre-hospital settings significantly reduces death and major bleeding complications compared to heparin. Bivalirudin also showed a lower rate of reinfarction and death, however with increased risk of acute stent thrombosis.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 30, 2013

Type 2 diabetes: New associations identified between genes and metabolic markers

Scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen discovered new associations between two major Type 2 diabetes risk genotypes and altered plasma concentrations of metabolic products. The study, published in PLOS ONE and Metabolomics, reveals specific metabolic effects, particularly for the TCF7L2 genotype.

Bats confirmed as SARS origin

A team of scientists isolated a live virus from horseshoe bats in China, confirming them as the origin of the SARS-CoV. The discovery will help governments design effective prevention strategies for similar epidemics.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateOct 30, 2013