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Science News for August 21, 2013


How women achieve a healthier weight may impact long-term health of offspring

Research suggests that weight loss surgery in female rats prior to conception has no positive impact on the metabolic health of their offspring. In fact, the study found that the metabolic health of VSG-treated offspring was worse than that of obese controls, with lower birth weights and increased susceptibility to glucose intolerance.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 21, 2013

Lower-cost drug substitutions could mean big savings for Medicare patients, government

A new UCLA-led study finds that substituting less expensive medications for brand-name counterparts can result in significant cost savings for Medicare beneficiaries. The study identified 50 common medications and found that 39% of patients receiving the low-income subsidy were eligible for generic or therapeutic substitutions, leading...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 21, 2013

Drug swap drives down costs

Researchers found that generic substitutions result in $127-$160 annual savings, while therapeutic substitutions yield $389-$452 per beneficiary. Therapeutic substitutions have the potential to double or triple annual cost savings compared to generic substitutions.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 21, 2013

Shorter working hours do not guarantee happier workers

A study by Robert Rudolf of Korea University found that reducing working hours has no significant impact on overall job and life satisfaction for married couples with children. Despite cutting work weeks by four hours, women face higher work-family role conflicts and rising work intensity demands, offsetting any positive effects.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateAug 21, 2013

Epic ocean voyages of baby corals revealed

A new study models how baby corals disperse in the world's oceans to understand their responses to changing sea conditions. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the paths of coral larvae worldwide, revealing that some may travel thousands of kilometers across open ocean.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateAug 21, 2013

Better insight into molecular interactions

Researchers have developed a 'dark channel mechanism' to explain binding processes in biochemical materials, allowing for deeper understanding of molecular interactions. The discovery, combined with ab initio calculations and high-resolution spectroscopy, provides new information on the chemistry of life.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 21, 2013

Researchers agree that Alzheimer's test results could be released to research participants

A survey of 139 Alzheimer's clinical trial leaders found that a majority supported disclosing test results to study participants, citing the need for guidance and counseling. The study suggests that as biomarkers improve, experts want to share valid results with participants, while also addressing potential harms and benefits.

New health economics study highlights societal benefits of knee replacement surgery

A new study highlights the economic benefits of knee replacement surgery, finding that patients can save nearly $40,000 in indirect costs, resulting in lifetime societal savings of $10,000-$30,000. The study estimates that total knee replacement surgeries will exceed 3 million by 2030 due to an aging population.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateAug 21, 2013

Putting sleep disorders to bed

A new study has identified a fundamental biological process controlling the body's circadian clock, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating circadian clock-related disorders. The research found that removing a repressor protein improved brain clock function, enabling mice to adapt to time zone changes faster.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateAug 21, 2013

Study: Crocs eat fruit??

A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that 13 species of crocodilians consume fruit, including berries and legumes. The researchers suggest that these animals may function as significant seed dispersal agents in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to forest regeneration.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateAug 21, 2013

Vigorous physical activity linked to lower incidence of obesity in young African-American women

A study by Boston University researchers found that vigorous physical activity was associated with a lower risk of obesity among young African-American women. The study, which followed 20,259 women for 14 years, revealed that increasing levels of vigorous exercise resulted in a 23% lower incidence of obesity.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateAug 21, 2013

Research breakthrough: Impaired autophagy associated with age-related macular degeneration

A recent study published in PLoS One reveals that impaired autophagy is linked to age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of visual impairment. The researchers found that the lysosomal clean-up mechanism, or autophagy, plays a crucial role in clearing harmful protein accumulations behind the retina, which lead to vision loss.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 21, 2013

Alcohol abuse, eating disorders share genetic link

Researchers found common genetic factors underlying alcoholism and certain eating-disorder symptoms, including binge eating and purging habits. The study included nearly 6,000 adult twins and suggests that some genes influencing alcohol dependence also influence binge eating in men and women.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateAug 21, 2013

How does your garden grow?

Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a biofertiliser that enables crops to be grown on coal waste, achieving nearly twice the weight and yield of those grown in garden soil. The additive boosts plant nutrition, regulates water, and maintains an ideal environment for growth.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalInternational Journal of Environment and Resource·DateAug 21, 2013

Psychotherapy lags as evidence goes unheeded

Despite ample evidence supporting its effectiveness, psychotherapy is on a decline in the US. This stems from a lack of definition, adoption, and articulation of its own evidence base, whereas medications have done so. Research shows that many therapists prioritize personal experience over evidence-based treatment.

SourceBrown University·JournalClinical Psychology Review·DateAug 21, 2013

What is your heart attack risk?

Researchers used clustering techniques to analyze 300 patient cases and identify specific risk factors associated with heart attack risk. Key findings include the importance of age, gender, and lifestyle habits in determining cardiac risk levels.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateAug 21, 2013