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Science News Archive February 2013 - Page 15


Page 15 of 28

Vision restored with total darkness

A study by Dalhousie University researchers found that immersion in total darkness can rapidly restore vision in kittens with amblyopia. The recovery depends on the loss of neurofilaments holding the visual system in place. Darkness therapy holds promise for treating children with amblyopia, but more research is needed to determine the...

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 14, 2013

Combining quantum information communication and storage

Aalto University researchers have made a breakthrough in connecting a superconducting qubit with a micrometer-sized drum head, enabling the transfer of information between the two. This achievement opens up new possibilities for creating exotic mechanical quantum states, such as simultaneous vibration and non-vibration.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature·DateFeb 14, 2013

Roots of language in human and bird biology

Researchers at Duke University have found that the genes responsible for human speech share similarities with those used by songbirds. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary roots of language and suggests a convergent complex trait like speech and song may be associated with similar genetic changes.

Wonderwalls

Researchers from TUM designed a smart wall panel to assist elderly people in their homes. The panel provides access to vital information, entertainment, and assistance with daily tasks. It also detects critical health issues and contacts healthcare professionals for support.

Dogs spot the dog

A recent study by Dr. Dominique Autier-Dérian and colleagues found that dogs can form a visual category of dog faces and group pictures of different breeds into a single category. This ability allows dogs to recognize their own species visually, despite the large morphological variability within the dog species.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateFeb 14, 2013

New methodology to predict pandemics

A new research methodology uses network theory to identify outbreaks of unidentified diseases, providing a promising tool for predicting and preventing pandemic diseases. The method analyzed data from 125 outbreak reports and showed distinct patterns for emerging diseases like Nipah virus, allowing for probable diagnoses.

SourceEcoHealth Alliance·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 14, 2013

Decoys could blunt spread of ash-killing beetles

Researchers create female emerald ash borer decoy using polymers, allowing for more efficient trapping and detection of male beetles. The decoy is 40% more effective than previously used methods, paving the way for swift control of the pest.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Bionic Engineering·DateFeb 14, 2013

Building healthy bones takes guts

Scientists at Michigan State University found that a natural probiotic supplement can enhance bone density in male mice, but not female mice. The study suggests a possible new treatment for osteoporosis without the risks of traditional medications.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Cellular Physiology·DateFeb 14, 2013

Sewage lagoons remove most -- but not all -- pharmaceuticals

A recent study found that rural sewage lagoons can effectively remove most commonly used pharmaceuticals and hormones from wastewater, but some compounds persist in the environment. The study, led by Wei Zheng, suggests that increased concentrations of PPCPs were detected in November samples due to warmer temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 14, 2013

Technique that removes additional toxins prolongs dialysis patients' lives

A technique that removes additional toxins during dialysis decreased kidney failure patients' risk of dying from any cause by 30% over three years, with lower risks of heart-related causes and infections. The study's findings suggest OL-HDF may indeed prolong kidney failure patients' lives compared to conventional hemodialysis.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 14, 2013

Are billboards driving us to distraction?

Researchers found that emotionally charged words on billboards can provoke an emotional response, distracting drivers and decreasing traveling speed. Positive connotations sped up drivers' responses, while negative words led to drifting and veering from the lane.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateFeb 14, 2013

What green algae are up to in the dark

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered a metabolic pathway for hydrogen production in green algae under stress conditions, even in the dark. This discovery provides new insights into the production of hydrogen gas and its potential application in sustainable energy solutions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 14, 2013

Stay cool and live longer?

Researchers discovered a genetic program that promotes longevity in roundworms at cold temperatures and found it exists in humans. The study links calcium signaling to aging for the first time, suggesting exposure to cold air or stimulation of this genetic program may promote mammalian longevity.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCell·DateFeb 14, 2013

First animal model of recent human evolution

A team of researchers created an animal model of recent human evolution, revealing a single mutation that produced several traits common in East Asian peoples. The study found that the mutation arose around 30,000 years ago in central China and is linked to thicker hair, denser sweat glands, and other skin features.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateFeb 14, 2013

2 Cell studies reveal genetic variation driving human evolution

Researchers used an animal model and whole-genome sequence data to identify hundreds of gene variants that potentially helped humans adapt to changing environmental conditions. The findings provide a road map for understanding human biological history and modern-day variability, including traits like resistance to infectious diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateFeb 14, 2013