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Science News Archive August 2013 - Page 16


Page 16 of 29

NTU-led research shows Burmese long-tailed macaques' ability using stone tools threatened by human activity in Thailand

A study led by Singapore's Nanyang Technological University found that Burmese long-tailed macaques' ability to use stone tools is under threat due to human farming and domestic dog introduction. The researchers advise Thailand's authorities to protect the animals' tool-using traditions in marine national parks.

E-Health services ill-prepared for epidemics

E-health systems face a significant disruption due to inadequate adoption, leading to ineffective response to pandemic diseases like influenza. A multi-pronged approach is proposed to assess preparedness, identify gaps, and implement necessary technology and protocols.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateAug 14, 2013

6 months of fish oil reverses liver disease in children with intestinal failure, study shows

A new study found that replacing soybean oil with fish oil in intravenous nutrition can reverse intestinal failure-associated liver disease in children. After 17 weeks, nearly 80% of patients experienced a reversal of their liver disease, while only 5% of those who received soybean oil saw a reversal.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·DateAug 14, 2013

Warming climate pushes plants up the mountain

A University of Arizona-led study has provided the first on-the-ground evidence that Southwestern plants are being pushed to higher elevations by an increasingly warmer and drier climate. Plant communities were found to be different 50 years ago due to individual species shifting their ranges independently.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateAug 14, 2013

How neurons get wired

Researchers found that embryonic nerve cells use two versions of a signaling molecule to determine which end is the axon and which is the dendrite. This discovery could help improve therapies for spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 14, 2013

Chemophobia shouldn't be on the menu

A new Dartmouth study finds that many people fear low amounts of chemicals in their food, despite being inherently harmless and often beneficial. The study argues that regulators should focus on pathogens and bacteria rather than pesticides and synthetic chemicals.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalFood Security·DateAug 14, 2013

Using fire to manage fire-prone regions around the world

The article explores the use of prescribed burning in various regions, including the US, Australia, South America, and southern Europe, to manage fire-prone landscapes. It highlights successful traditional practices, such as the Maya milpa in South America, which create spaces for different crops while sustaining wildlife and soil fert...

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateAug 14, 2013

High-angle helix helps bacteria swim

Researchers from Brown University and the University of Wisconsin discovered that a high-angle helix enables bacteria to swim faster in viscoelastic fluids, clearing up previously conflicting findings. The study's findings have implications for understanding bacterial infection and fertility.

SourceBrown University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 13, 2013

New strategy to disarm the dengue virus brings new hope for a universal dengue vaccine

Scientists have discovered a new strategy that cripples the dengue virus's ability to escape the host immune system. By introducing a genetic mutation to deactivate the MTase enzyme, researchers created a weakened virus that generates a strong protective immune response while preventing the virus from spreading in mosquitoes.

Researchers slow light to a crawl in liquid crystal matrix

Scientists have developed a new technique to slow down light by embedding dye molecules in a liquid crystal matrix, allowing for more efficient sensing and interferometry applications. The method uses little power, operates at room temperature, and can measure extremely low speeds in just one second of measurement time.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateAug 13, 2013

Virus-derived particles target blood cancer

Researchers have developed unique virus-derived particles that can kill human blood cancer cells in the laboratory and eradicate the disease in mice. These non-replicating particles, derived from rhabdovirus, work by direct cytolysis and induction of antitumor immunity, showing promise as a new therapy for leukemia.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalBlood Cancer Journal·DateAug 13, 2013

Chronicling cancer experience online can reduce depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients

A UCLA study found that women diagnosed with breast cancer who created personal websites experienced reduced depressive symptoms, improved mood, and increased appreciation for life. The project, Project Connect Online, provided a platform for breast cancer patients to share their experiences and connect with friends and family online.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 13, 2013

Who benefits from vitamin D?

A recent University of Eastern Finland study found that individuals whose expression of certain genes was not altered by vitamin D supplementation may already have a sufficient level of serum vitamin D or be disturbed in their vitamin D utilization. The researchers believe this approach can help identify potential beneficiaries of long...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 13, 2013