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Science News Archive January 2013


Page 1 of 27

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons show age-related patterns of spine injury in ATV injuries

A study by pediatric orthopaedic surgeons at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital found that spine-related injuries from ATVs are more common in older children and females, with a significant increase in non-contiguous spinal fractures. The researchers emphasize the need for parents to recognize ATV safety risks and take preventive measures.

SourceLe Bonheur Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Pediatric Orthopaedics·DateJan 31, 2013

Jocks beat bookworms on brain test

A study by Professor Jocelyn Faubert found that professional athletes, including soccer players and hockey players, performed better on a brain test than non-athlete university students. The researchers used the Neurotracker machine to evaluate skills such as tracking fast-moving objects and perceiving depth.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 31, 2013

Safe sex practices among African American women

Research reveals African American women exhibit higher risk for HIV/AIDS due to lower condom use expectations. The study suggests tailored interventions addressing mediators like self-esteem and coping are crucial in increasing condom use, particularly in high-risk casual relationships.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateJan 31, 2013

Researcher uncovers potential cause, biomarker for autism and proposes study to investigate theory

A New York-based physician-researcher has uncovered a potential connection between autism and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels in newborns, proposing a study to investigate this hypothesis. IGF plays a crucial role in brain development, and depressed levels may serve as a biomarker for the later development of autism.

SourceTouro College Of Osteopathic Medicine·JournalMedical Hypotheses·DateJan 31, 2013

Novel materials shake ship scum

Researchers have created a material that uses physical movement to knock away bacteria, reducing drag and improving energy efficiency on ships. The innovative solution avoids toxic chemicals often found in traditional antibacterial paints.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 31, 2013

In the planetary nursery

Researchers have determined the mass of the disk surrounding young star TW Hydrae, a prototypical planetary nursery, with a lower limit of 52 Jupiter masses. This new value is larger than previous estimates and suggests that planets similar to those in our solar system can form in this system.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJan 31, 2013

This is what a fish thought looks like

Scientists have developed a new technology to see thoughts 'swim' through the brain of a living fish, allowing real-time visualization of neuronal activity during perception. This breakthrough has the potential to unlock complex behaviors, including learning, memory, and emotions, by interpreting specific combinations of neurons.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 31, 2013

Mutant gene gives pigeons fancy hairdos

Researchers decode genetic blueprint of rock pigeon, unlocking secrets about Middle East origins, feral pigeons' kinship with racing birds, and how mutations give pigeons fancy feather hairdos. The study also reveals a single mutation in the EphB2 gene causes head crests to grow upward instead of downward.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateJan 31, 2013

Joslin scientists find first human iPSC from patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have successfully generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), a rare form of diabetes. The hiPSCs offer a powerful tool for studying the genetic mechanisms underlying MODY and testing potential treatments.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 31, 2013

Ozone depletion trumps greenhouse gas increase in jet-stream shift

A new study reveals that ozone depletion has a greater impact on the jet stream's southward shift than increasing greenhouse gases. Researchers analyzed wind patterns over a 10-day period and found that ozone depletion was associated with a poleward shift of westerlies, while greenhouse gases were linked to an equatorward shift.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateJan 31, 2013

Disparities exist in kidney transplant timing

A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that African Americans and individuals without private insurance are less likely to receive a kidney transplant before needing dialysis. The study examined data from over 11,000 adult first-time deceased donor kidney transplant recipients in th...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 31, 2013