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Science News Archive April 2013 - Page 12


Page 12 of 32

Study reveals austerity's harmful impact on health in Greece

Researchers studied data on economic and social conditions, utilization of health services, and health outcomes in Greece. They found that key public health indicators declined during the recession and austerity policies, leading to increased suicide and homicide mortality rates, mental disorders, substance abuse, and infectious diseases.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 18, 2013

Liver disease: Understanding it will enable the provision of better treatment

Researchers identified a specific profile of patients suffering from acute-on-chronic liver failure syndrome, characterized by high mortality rates and organ malfunctions. The study provides new diagnostic criteria for the condition, which is associated with cirrhosis and can be linked to patient age and medical history.

Evolving genes lead to evolving genes

Researchers used a method to test for evolutionary adaptation in genes regulated by FOXP2, a key factor in human development and language. The study found strong evidence for selection of FOXP2-regulated genes in European populations, highlighting their potential roles in neural cell development and immunity.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 18, 2013

New ASTRO white paper recommends best practices to improve safety and effectiveness of IGRT

The new ASTRO white paper recommends 10 fundamental elements for safe and effective IGRT practices, including establishing a multi-professional team and performing end-to-end testing for new procedures. The paper aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of image-guided radiation therapy in radiation oncology.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateApr 18, 2013

Best and worst times to start a fire

Early season prescribed burns, such as those conducted by the NASA-backed Ecofire program, are more effective at containing fires and reducing long-term damage. By mimicking traditional Aboriginal fire practices, these early-season burns can help reestablish vegetation and prevent the formation of extensive burn scars.

Age matters to Antarctic clams

A new study reveals that Antarctic clams' reaction to environmental changes varies depending on their age. Younger clams are more active in responding to hypoxia, while older, sedentary clams remain relatively unchanged. This has implications for future clam populations and ecosystems.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 18, 2013

UH SOEST and Hawai'i DAR provide new understanding of rare white shark movement around Hawai'i

A new study reveals that white sharks occur in Hawai'i waters across a broader annual cycle than previously thought, with observations recorded every month except November. The research also identifies a simple method to distinguish between white sharks and close relatives like mako sharks based on the shape of their head.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii ‑ SOEST·JournalJournal of Marine Biology·DateApr 18, 2013

No 'silver bullet' for science standards

A Michigan State University education scholar argues that US K-12 teachers are not fully prepared to meet the Next Generation Science Standards due to inadequate professional training. The voluntary guidelines call for more hands-on learning and analysis, but many teachers lack the knowledge base to implement them effectively.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·DateApr 18, 2013

Community gardens may produce more than vegetables

A study by University of Utah researchers found that community gardeners have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and lower odds of being overweight or obese compared to their non-gardening neighbors. The study, which used unique administrative data, also found health benefits for spouses of married gardeners.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 18, 2013

Twitter can give power to the people

A Michigan State University researcher found that Twitter can be a better source of information than traditional news sources and online search engines. Tweets tagged with hashtags provide multiple perspectives on topics like the Occupy Wall Street movement. The study suggests using Twitter as a complement to formal teaching and learni...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateApr 18, 2013