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Science News Archive February 2013 - Page 5


Page 5 of 28

Light particles illuminate the vacuum

By changing the speed of light in an array of superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUID), researchers can extract microwave photons from the vacuum's quantum noise. This breakthrough could help solve the riddle of the universe's birth and develop powerful quantum computers.

SourceAalto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2013

Persistent negative attitude can undo effectiveness of exposure therapy for phobias

Researchers at Ohio State University found that people with persistent negative attitudes towards feared objects or events are more likely to experience a return of their fear after exposure therapy. The study developed a tool to evaluate attitudes immediately after treatment and suggests that attitude change is key to lasting recovery.

SourceOhio State University·JournalBehaviour Research and Therapy·DateFeb 26, 2013

Target: Cancer

A new microscopy technique has allowed scientists to observe protein clusters in living cancer cells, enabling direct measurement of drug effects on target proteins. This breakthrough could significantly improve cancer treatment by reducing collateral damage associated with traditional therapies.

SourceUniversity of Akron·JournalCell·DateFeb 26, 2013

Eat too much? Maybe it's in the blood

Research at Baylor College of Medicine found that bone marrow cells producing BDNF travel to the hypothalamus, where they fine-tune appetite. A bone marrow transplant restoring the gene for BDNF can normalize appetite and reduce overeating in mice with insulin resistance.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2013

Married opposite-sex couples have better overall health than same-sex couples who live together

A new study from Rice University found that same-sex couples who live together have worse health than married opposite-sex couples, with similar health to those living apart. The research highlights the importance of considering the unique challenges faced by this population in discussions of relationships and health.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateFeb 26, 2013

PTSD symptoms common among ICU survivors

A Johns Hopkins study of patients with acute lung injury found that one in three ventilated ICU patients developed PTSD symptoms lasting up to two years. The researchers suggest that preventing and treating PTSD in these patients is crucial, as it can impair quality of life and slow recovery.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateFeb 26, 2013

Research suggests scientists have overestimated capacity of wind farms to generate power

Scientists have underestimated the impact of large numbers of wind turbines on energy production within large farms, suggesting a more limited capacity than previously thought. The new modeling results indicate that wind power production may be as low as 1 watt per square meter at wind farms larger than 100 square kilometers.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 26, 2013

Researchers explore PKC role in lung disease

A new study investigates the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in airway smooth muscle contraction, revealing its potential as a therapeutic target for treating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research suggests that PKC activation could contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness and exacerbate lung diseases.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateFeb 25, 2013

Weather extremes provoked by trapping of giant waves in the atmosphere

A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that man-made climate change traps giant waves in the atmosphere, leading to extreme weather events. The researchers found that prolonged periods of heat stress can occur when warm air is unable to escape, resulting in devastating consequences.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2013

Future evidence for extraterrestrial life might come from dying stars

A new study suggests that future evidence for extraterrestrial life might come from dying stars, specifically from planets orbiting white dwarfs. Detectable oxygen in the atmosphere of these planets could indicate the presence of life, and a recent simulation indicates JWST can detect this with only a few hours of observation time.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 25, 2013

Wasp transcriptome creates a buzz

Researchers sequenced primitively eusocial wasps' transcriptomes, finding workers have an active genetic profile while queens have a restricted one. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of sociality and the origin of alternative phenotypes.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateFeb 25, 2013

Most babies slow to grow catch up by early teens

Research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol shows that most babies who are slow to put on weight in the first nine months of life have caught up to within the normal range by the age of 13. However, those who show slow weight gain later in infancy tend to remain lighter and shorter than their peers.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 25, 2013

Research to probe deep within a solar cell

Engineers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new technique to analyze polymer photovoltaic cells, enabling deeper understanding of their structure and efficiency. The technique, SERGIS, has been used to map the size and distance between crystallites in PCBM material, key properties for improving solar cell efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 25, 2013

Small molecules in the blood might gauge radiation effects after exposure

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers has identified specific small molecules in the blood that can accurately measure damage to the body after ionizing radiation exposure. The findings suggest that these microRNA markers could help doctors identify individuals at risk for acute radiation syndrome and plan personalized ra...

Giving a voice to kids with Down syndrome

A new case study by the University of Alberta's ISTAR Institute shows that fluency shaping can significantly improve a child's speech in individuals with Down syndrome who stutter. Four months of treatment led to a 98.6% improvement in Sarah's fluency, enabling her to function better socially and academically.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Fluency Disorders·DateFeb 25, 2013

Higher income earners more likely to get doctors' appointments than lower income people

People of high socioeconomic status are more likely to receive appointment offers and prioritized access to primary care, even in a single-payer universal health insurance system. Researchers found that physicians' offices discriminate against those with low socioeconomic status, despite equal reimbursement for each patient.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 25, 2013

Ultrasound reveals autism risk at birth

A new study found that low-birth-weight newborns with enlarged ventricles on an ultrasound are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism later in life. The research suggests that an early brain abnormality may indicate a higher risk of developing autism.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateFeb 25, 2013

Protecting health care workers

Healthcare workers who wear special fitted face masks are less likely to get clinical respiratory and bacterial infections. The study, published in the American Journal of Critical Care Medicine, found that continuous use of N95 masks provides significant protection against both types of infections.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAmerican Journal of Critical Care·DateFeb 25, 2013

Majority of Missouri tan salons allow pre-teens

A Missouri survey found that 65% of tanning salon operators would allow children aged 10-12 to use tanning beds, despite evidence showing a link between tanning bed use and an increased risk of skin cancers. Many employees claimed no risks or benefits from indoor tanning, but these claims are false.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 25, 2013

Rethinking wind power

Research suggests that large-scale wind farms' generating capacity may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watt per square meter, significantly lower than previous estimates. This limitation could impact the feasibility of scaling wind power to meet a third of global energy needs within the next half-century.

SourceHarvard University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 25, 2013

Macroweather is what you expect

A new kind of fluctuation analysis reveals three atmospheric regimes: weather, macroweather, and climate. Macroweather has different types of variability than both weather and climate, making climate modeling more precise. This recognition may open up new approaches for predicting the climate.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEos·DateFeb 25, 2013

Electronic health communications often unavilable to lower income patients

A significant majority of uninsured and underinsured patients use email and text messaging in their everyday lives, but many clinics do not offer patient portals or secure messaging. Patients are interested in using electronic communication with providers, which could improve clinical communication and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2013