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Science News for April 8, 2013


Adding cetuximab to chemotherapy enables select patients with advanced colorectal cancer and liver metastasis to undergo surgery, extending survival by several months

A Phase III clinical trial found that adding cetuximab to chemotherapy enables previously inoperable patients to undergo surgery, tripling the rates of successful surgery for liver metastasis. The combination also extends median overall survival by 10 months compared to chemotherapy alone.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 8, 2013

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) releases new recommendations for prostate cancer screening, focusing on shared decision-making and clear patient preference. Men between 50-69 years old should discuss the benefits and harms of PSA testing with their doctor before undergoing screening. The ACP also recommends against screening f...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 8, 2013

New evidence dinosaurs were strong swimmers

Researchers have identified evidence of a dinosaur's ability to swim with coordinated leg movements, as indicated by 15-meter claw marks found on a Chinese riverbed. The marks suggest the presence of a two-legged dinosaur that was swimming along the river and only its tippy toes were touching bottom.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateApr 8, 2013

Tin nanocrystals for the battery of the future

Researchers from ETH Zurich have created tin nanocrystals that can absorb and release lithium ions more effectively, leading to improved energy storage capacity. The smaller crystals are able to store more energy than larger ones, making them ideal for future lithium ion batteries.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 8, 2013

Environmental change triggers rapid evolution

A University of Leeds-led study found significant genetic changes in soil mites after just 15 generations, leading to doubling of age at adulthood and large population size changes. This research demonstrates the interconnectedness of ecology and evolution, with major implications for conservation and fisheries management.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEcology Letters·DateApr 8, 2013

Arrhythmia drug may increase cancer risk

A new study found that long-term use of arrhythmia medication amiodarone may significantly increase the risk of developing certain cancers. Men and individuals taking high cumulative daily doses were more likely to develop cancer, with a 46% increased risk compared to those taking low doses.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateApr 8, 2013

Surprising predictor of ecosystem chemistry

Carnegie scientists found that plant communities are stronger predictors of ecosystem chemistry than environmental conditions. The study used a new airborne instrument to map multiple ecosystem chemicals and found that plant composition explains up to 61% of variation in plant chemical traits.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

No map, no problems for monarchs

A team of scientists found that monarch butterflies use external cues like the sun and magnetic field as a built-in compass, but not an internal map. They funnelled towards their destination using major geographic landmarks.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

Reframing stress: Stage fright can be your friend

A new study found that encouraging people to reframe their natural bodily signals as helpful during stressful speaking tasks can improve performance. The study used the Trier Social Stress Test and found that participants who were prepped about the benefits of stress weathered the trial better, with increased blood flow and fewer physi...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateApr 8, 2013

Certain breast cancer patients may benefit from combined HER2 targeted therapy without chemotherapy

A subset of breast cancer patients with HER-2 positive tumors may benefit from a combination of targeted treatments that avoid chemotherapy. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, shows high efficacy in eradicating tumors and offers a groundbreaking approach to treatment without significant side effects.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 8, 2013

Ocean explorers want to get to the bottom of Galicia

A team of scientists and technicians led by Rice University is conducting a 45-day expedition in the North Atlantic to gather detailed information about the geology of the ocean basin. The $6 million project aims to study the Galicia rift, where sediment has not deeply buried formations that have existed at the bottom of the ocean for ...

Healthy doctors make healthy patients, study finds

Researchers at UBC and Israel discovered that compliant physicians lead to more patient adherence to screening and vaccination practices. The study found significant differences in patients of doctors who received flu shots and those who did not, highlighting the importance of healthcare professionals' health habits on their patients.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 8, 2013

Cry me a river of possibility: Scientists design new adaptive material inspired by tears

Researchers at Harvard University developed a tunable material system that can adapt to different environments, functions like self-adjusting contact lenses, pipelines, and textile materials. The bioinspired material is a continuous liquid film that changes shape in response to deformation, offering fine control over various properties.

Tortuous paths hamper ion transport

Scientists have created a three-dimensional map of electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries, revealing their unique structures and impact on charging speeds. The study's findings suggest that using round particles instead of plate-like ones can significantly improve the battery's performance.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateApr 8, 2013

Children with autism leave 'silly' out

Research shows children with autism have difficulty imitating social behaviors and instead focus on efficient actions. Typically developing children, however, are more likely to copy unnecessary actions, a behavior known as overimitation.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 8, 2013

'Spooky action at a distance' aboard the ISS

Scientists aim to develop first global quantum communication network by testing the limits of quantum entanglement using the International Space Station. The proposed experiment uses Bell's theorem and quantum key distribution to enable secure communication over long distances.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateApr 8, 2013

Increased rates of hospitalization linked to elder abuse, Rush researchers find

A recent study by Rush researchers found that older adults subjected to elder abuse face a greater risk of hospitalization than their non-abused peers. The study, which analyzed data from over 6,600 community-dwelling older adults, showed that reported elder abuse was independently associated with increased rates of hospitalization.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 8, 2013

Personal preventive health practices of physicians can benefit patients

A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that physicians who followed recommended screening and vaccination practices had more likely patients to also follow these practices. The research involved 1488 physicians and their adult patients in Israel's largest health maintenance organization, Clalit Health Services.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 8, 2013

How stepdads can avoid missteps

A Brigham Young University study identified three key factors for closeness in stepfamilies: keeping arguments to a minimum, motherly involvement, and parental agreement. This approach allows stepfathers to build strong bonds with their children despite financial or educational challenges.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalSocial Work·DateApr 8, 2013

Carbon's role in planetary atmosphere formation

Researchers discovered that iron carbonyl is the main form of carbon trapped in magmas on Mars, releasing carbon monoxide and methane gases. This finding suggests that early Mars' volcanism could have released enough greenhouse gases to warm the planet significantly.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining the shapes of catalytic nanoparticles

Controlling the shape of nanometer-sized catalytic particles is crucial for optimizing their activity and selectivity in applications such as catalytic converters, fuel cells, and chemical catalysis. Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining these shapes. The research found that varying temperature and deposition rate can control ...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

Exploring lincRNA's role in breast cancer

Scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center have identified several dozen transcripts known as lincRNAs that are dysregulated in breast cancer. The study found that these lincRNAs are differentially regulated within breast cancer cell lines, indicating their potential role in tumorigenesis or regulation of other cancers.

Thinking you're old and frail

A study by Krystal Warmoth found that older adults who categorize themselves as old and frail experience a cycle of decline, leading to reduced physical activity, poor health, and stigmatization. This self-fulfilling prophecy can result in a lower quality of life.

Roadmap to 25 percent reduction in premature deaths From RHD in the under 25s by 2025 published

The World Heart Federation has published a new position statement outlining five strategic targets to achieve its goal of reducing premature deaths from rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among individuals aged <25 years by 2025. The targets include comprehensive register-based control programmes, global access to benzathine penicillin G, a...

SourceWorld Heart Federation·JournalNature Reviews Cardiology·DateApr 8, 2013

American College of Physicians releases new prostate cancer screening guidance statement

The American College of Physicians suggests that men between 50-69 discuss potential benefits and harms of the PSA test before screening. The risks include problems interpreting test results, biopsy complications, and treatment side effects. ACP recommends against testing in men younger than 50 or older than 69 with low life expectancy.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 8, 2013

Rapid climate change and the role of the Southern Ocean

A study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that oceanographic reorganisations and biological processes linked to airborne dust in the Southern Ocean drove past rapid fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The research found large changes in chemical stratification of the Southern Ocean on millennial timescales, highligh...

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 8, 2013

JCI early table of contents for April 8, 2013

Researchers identify ATRX as a crucial gene in maintaining genomic stability, preventing chromosomal mutations and rearrangements that can cause disease and aging. Atrx deficiency in mice leads to increased DNA damage, endocrine dysfunction, shortened lifespans, and degenerative phenotypes similar to human premature aging disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 8, 2013

Using social networks for mobilization has its limits

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates that social networks like Twitter and Facebook can coordinate people during critical situations. However, the strategy's success is highly dependent on the users' ability to quickly disseminate information and have a large number of social links.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

Moving cells with light holds medical promise

Researchers at WashU Medicine successfully manipulate immune cells using light to move them towards a beam of light, holding potential for controlling insulin secretion or heart rate. The study uses genetic engineering techniques to introduce a light-sensitive protein into immune cells, enabling them to sense and respond to light signals.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

Migraine triggers tricky to pinpoint

A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that identifying migraine triggers is challenging due to daily fluctuations of variables such as weather, diet, hormone levels, and stress. The researchers suggest that patients need more formal experiments and work with their doctors to devise a plan to test triggers.

Developmental delays in children following prolonged seizures

Researchers found that prolonged seizures in children are associated with developmental delays and impairments within six weeks of the event, which persist at one year. The study suggests that seizures may have a long-lasting impact on future development through reorganization of functional brain networks.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateApr 8, 2013

Birds find ways to avoid raising cuckoos' young

A new study suggests that swallows and martins in Europe build their nests close to humans to reduce the risk of cuckoo parasitism. By breeding indoors, these birds can avoid ejecting model cuckoo eggs from their nests, thus reducing the likelihood of cuckoo parasitism.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 8, 2013