Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2013 - Page 18


Page 18 of 27

Penicillin equally effective as 'big gun' antibiotics for treating less severe childhood pneumonia

Narrow-spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin and penicillin, are equally effective as broad-spectrum antibiotics in treating less severe childhood pneumonia. The study, published in Pediatrics, compared outcomes among children hospitalized with pneumonia between 2005 and 2011, receiving either narrow-spectrum or broad-spectrum antib...

New brief therapy eases symptoms of combat-related psychological trauma

A new study suggests that accelerated resolution therapy (ART) is a safe and effective treatment for combat-related psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans. The therapy, which combines evidence-based psychotherapies with eye movements, was found to be shorter and more likely to be completed than co...

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalMilitary Medicine·DateDec 9, 2013

Scientists scale terahertz peaks in nanotubes

In a breakthrough discovery, Rice University researchers found that free electrons in metallic and doped carbon nanotubes create plasmons at terahertz frequencies, enabling the potential for advanced optoelectronic devices. This finding clarifies the origin of the previously observed terahertz peak in nanotubes.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 9, 2013

Study offers economical solutions for maintaining critical delta environments

A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers documents the historic sediment record along the Danube River delta and offers simple and inexpensive strategies to maintain delta environments. The team analyzed sediment cores and found that mimicking natural distributaries can help keep sediment on flood plains, rather ...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalAnthropocene·DateDec 9, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 9, 2013

Researchers discovered an association between oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) levels and DNA methylation patterns with breast cancer prognosis. Chloroquine treatment was found to limit osteoclast generation, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 9, 2013

Awkward Facebook encounters

A Northwestern University study found that individuals with high self-monitoring and diverse social networks are more likely to strongly experience face threats on Facebook. People who felt they had a high level of Facebook skills reported experiencing these kinds of threats less severely.

New sensor tracks zinc in cells

A new optical sensor created at MIT can track zinc within cells, shedding light on its functions and helping researchers study zinc trafficking in prostate cells. The sensor supports the theory that cancerous prostate cells banish zinc from mitochondria to produce extra energy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2013

New long-lived greenhouse gas discovered by University of Toronto chemistry team

A novel chemical, perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA), has been found to be a long-lived greenhouse gas with the most radiatively efficient impact on climate, according to a study by the University of Toronto chemistry team. Calculated over a 100-year timeframe, PFTBA's global warming potential is equivalent to that of 7100 molecules of CO2.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 9, 2013

Balancing old and new skills

The MIT model suggests that neurons constantly change connections to explore many possible solutions, but with a balance between hyperplasticity and low signal-to-noise ratio. This allows the brain to learn new skills while retaining previously learned ones, especially if they are not similar.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2013

May the cellular force be with you

A new technique developed by Otger Campas and Donald Ingber enables the measurement of mechanical forces cells generate while building tissues and organs. This breakthrough provides insights into the role of mechanics in morphogenesis and may lead to discoveries about birth defects, tumor growth, and tissue abnormalities.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 9, 2013

Polymers can be semimetals

Researchers from Linköping University and five universities worldwide have proven that polymers can exhibit semiconductor-like properties. The discovery paves the way for a new field of research in organic electronics.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 9, 2013

Inflammation in prostate may reduce cancer risk

A study published online in Cancer found that increased inflammation in the prostate gland may predict a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. The study's findings suggest that biopsies performed on prostates with high inflammation levels may indicate a lower risk for subsequent cancer detection.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalCancer·DateDec 9, 2013

Peaceful bumblebee becomes invasive

The buff-tailed bumblebee, introduced to Chile in 1998, has spread rapidly throughout South America, outcompeting native species and potentially disrupting the ecosystem. The parasite Crithidia bombi is a key factor in the decline of native bumblebees.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateDec 9, 2013

Aging out of bounds

A study published in Nature has cataloged 46 species with their mortality and fertility rates, revealing extraordinary diversity in aging processes. This challenges current explanations, which predict that the probability of dying rises with age, as seen in humans, but contradicted by species like the desert tortoise and white mangrove.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateDec 9, 2013

Morphing material has mighty potential

Researchers develop composite material that can change shape in response to temperature, enabling applications such as dynamic scaffolds and implantable materials. The material's reversible properties make it suitable for biomedical applications where shape changes need to be repeated.

SourceRice University·JournalSoft Matter·DateDec 9, 2013

Study shows first link between altitude and concussion

A new study reveals that high school athletes playing at higher elevations suffer fewer concussions than those closer to sea-level. The researchers analyzed concussion statistics from athletes playing multiple sports in 497 high schools and found a significant decrease in concussion rates among all sports played above 600 feet.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalOrthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine·DateDec 9, 2013

A step closer to muscle regeneration

Researchers at Monash University have isolated muscle precursor cells from pluripotent stem cells using a purification technique, allowing them to differentiate into muscle cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for degenerative diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson's disease.

SourceMonash University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateDec 9, 2013

Supervolcanoes discovered in Utah

The discovery of supervolcanoes in southern Utah reveals massive eruptions that buried a vast region, affecting areas from central Utah to Nebraska. This research has significant implications for understanding geological history and the impact of volcanic activity on ecosystems.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalGeosphere·DateDec 9, 2013