NASA sees Soulik's eye reopen on Taiwan approach
Typhoon Soulik's eyewall appears to have rebuilt as evidenced in NASA satellite imagery. The storm is expected to make landfall in southeastern China over the weekend of July 13 and 14.
Science News for July 12, 2013
Young job seekers, check your privacy settings!
A Northwestern University study found that young adults, particularly men and Hispanics, are less likely to manage their social media privacy settings as they seek a job or maintain employment. In contrast, women, whites, and those with higher Internet skills tend to actively manage their online profiles.
A hidden epidemic: Street children show high levels of drug use
A systematic review of 50 studies reveals the prevalence of inhalant use among street children is high, with significant health consequences. The study highlights critical knowledge gaps, including understanding causes, sex-specific data, and the link between drug use and risky behavior.
Study finds potential markers for severity of childhood arthritis
A study of 115 children with juvenile arthritis found that changes in prostanoid levels may predict disease activity and help provide individualized treatment. The discovery could lead to more effective treatment options and reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burden of childhood arthritis.
York Nanocentre researchers image individual atoms in a living catalytic reaction
Researchers at the University of York have developed a new technology allowing them to observe and analyze single atoms in dynamic experiments under realistic conditions. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding reactions in physical sciences, medicine, and energy sources.
Women who suffered severe sexual trauma as kids benefit most from intervention
Researchers found that women with more severe past trauma improved the most in an HIV/trauma intervention, suggesting a tailored approach may be necessary. The study suggests focusing on the most severely traumatized individuals can lead to greater psychological improvement.
How to build your gate
Researchers at EMBL used super-resolution microscopy to determine the arrangement of Y-shaped molecules in the nuclear pore complex, resolving a decade-old controversy. The study found that the Ys lie in an orderly circle around the opening, with all arms pointing towards the centre.
Eyes are the prize
A Michigan State University study reveals that 90% of patients with eye diseases are willing to donate their eyes, but only a fraction follow through. The study suggests that educating the public about eye donation and streamlining the donation process could increase donations.
Raising adopted children, how parents cooperate matters more than gay or straight
A new study by psychologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that how well co-parenting couples work together is linked to fewer behavior problems in their adopted children, regardless of their sexual orientation. The research suggests that harmonious relationships and cooperation are more important than division of ch...
UCSC researchers develop 3-D display with no ghosting for viewers without glasses
Researchers at UCSC have created a 3D+2D TV system that allows both 3D and 2D viewers to see images simultaneously, eliminating ghosting. The system uses unequal brightness between left and right images to create the illusion of depth for 3D viewers.
Study finds strong pregnancy outcomes for survivors of childhood cancer
Women who survived childhood cancer face an increased risk of infertility, but nearly two-thirds conceive after trying unsuccessfully for at least a year. The study found that 64% of survivors conceived after six months, compared to 55% in the control group.
High folate gestational and post-weaning diets in Wistar rat offspring
A study published in Epigenetics suggests that a high-folate diet during pregnancy can prevent the development of an obesogenic phenotype in Wistar rat offspring. The diet has epigenetic effects on hypothalamic mechanisms regulating food intake, leading to reduced obesity.
Alarmingly high substance abuse rates found among street children in low-income countries
A review of 50 studies on substance abuse by street children in 22 resource-constrained countries found that lifetime substance use is highly prevalent, posing serious health and social threats. The most commonly used drugs are inhalants, tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
U of T-led study cracks universal RNA code, suggests a new cause for autism
Researchers cracked the 'RNA control code' to understand how it dictates gene expression and movement. The team identified patterns in RNA molecules that can be used to identify new treatments for conditions like autism.
On the trail of bacteria
Researchers have developed a method to identify Staphylococcus aureus capsule types using infrared light, achieving a success rate of up to 99%. The technique relies on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and artificial neuronal networks to distinguish between different capsule forms.
SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateJul 12, 2013
Gang members found to suffer unprecedented levels of psychiatric illness
Young men who are gang members suffer from high rates of mental disorders, including psychosis and anxiety disorder, compared to non-violent peers. Gang membership is associated with increased substance misuse, depression, and violent ruminative thinking.
Small packages delivering huge results
Researchers developed a new strategy to coat microscopic materials, creating a particle system that can degrade under different conditions for timed release of substances. This innovation is expected to advance therapeutics in cancer, vaccines, cardiovascular disease and neural health.
Research finds racial/ethnic disparities in health care among older male cancer survivors
Older African-American and Hispanic male cancer survivors are more likely to miss specialist visits and preventive care, such as vaccinations, compared to their white counterparts. The study found that disparities persist despite access to Medicare and adjustments for factors like education and insurance.
Marital status reduces risk of death from HIV/AIDS for men
A study by UC Riverside sociologist Augustine Kposowa found that married men are significantly less likely to die of HIV/AIDS than divorced or single counterparts. In contrast, racial disparities persist, with African-American and Latina women facing higher mortality rates than white women.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJul 12, 2013
Geology tracks eruptions, earthquakes, erosion, extinctions & more
The journal Geology has published new articles on various geoscience topics, including the tracking of silicic magma reservoirs and thermal decomposition along natural carbonate faults during earthquakes. The studies provide valuable information about the chemical and thermal histories of magmatic systems.
Lurie Cancer Center given 'outstanding' rating
The Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern University has received an outstanding National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant rating, indicating its exceptional research and clinical capabilities. The center will receive $24.9 million in funding over the next five years.
Study reveals early financial arguments are a predictor of divorce
A study published in Family Relations found that financial issues are the top predictor of divorce, regardless of income or net worth. Early financial arguments can lead to lower relationship satisfaction and increased stress, making it essential for couples to address these issues through education and counseling.
New research shows that temperature influences tropical flowering
Researchers discovered a 3% increase in flower production on Barro Colorado Island since 1987 due to rising temperatures and precipitation. In contrast, the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot in Puerto Rico showed no overall increase in flower production over the same period.
Female childhood cancer survivors at increased risk of infertility
Childhood cancer survivors were nearly 50% more likely to experience clinical infertility compared to their siblings. Around two-thirds of those who reported clinical infertility eventually became pregnant, comparable to the historical pregnancy rate in all women with clinical infertility.
Corticosteroid injections may help injured NFL players return to play sooner
Researchers found that corticosteroid injections helped NFL players recover 10 days sooner than those without treatment, with a median recovery time of 15 days. The study involved 31 players from two teams and showed no complications from the injections.
Range of motion may be a predictor for elbow injuries in Major League Baseball pitchers
Researchers studied 296 MLB pitchers and found that those with a deficit in total range of motion had a higher risk of injury. The study's findings could help team physicians and athletic trainers prevent long-term injury absences.
Sculpting flow
Researchers created a range of predictable flows by placing tiny pillars in microfluidic channels, allowing for separation of white blood cells and increased mixing. The method has potential to revolutionize microfluidics and form the foundation for multi-million dollar industries.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2013
NASA study shows disks don't need planets to make patterns
Researchers find that debris disks can produce narrow rings on their own, without the presence of a planet. Gas and dust interactions lead to clumping and pattern formation, making it harder for astronomers to detect planets.
Brain region implicated in emotional disturbance in dementia patients
Researchers at Neuroscience Research Australia discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in linking emotion and memories in frontotemporal dementia patients. This finding explains why FTD patients struggle to recall emotionally charged events, highlighting new potential for diagnostic tools.
Stem cell clues uncovered
Lamins are essential proteins supporting the organization of stem cell niches, which regulate proliferation and differentiation of germline stem cells. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of diseases caused by lamin mutations and their impact on tissue degeneration.
Link between quantum physics and game theory found
Physicist Dr Nicolas Brunner and mathematician Professor Noah Linden discovered a connection between game theory and quantum physics, showing that quantum players can outperform classical players in certain games. This breakthrough opens new avenues for research and potential applications for quantum technologies.
Injecting iron supplement lets Stanford scientists track transplanted stem cells
A new technique developed by Stanford researchers allows for the tracking of mesenchymal stem cells after transplantation, giving surgeons a better sense of whether the procedure was successful. The approach uses an FDA-approved iron supplement to label the cells, alleviating risks associated with standard labeling methods.
Interspecies transplant works in first step for new diabetes therapy
Scientists at Northwestern University have successfully transplanted rat islets into mice, producing insulin for over 300 days without immunosuppressive drugs. This breakthrough method uses a unique approach to control rejection and has significant implications for future interspecies transplants.
Shoulder surgery may make sense for young patients
New research suggests that arthroscopic bankart repair surgery is a viable and cost-effective treatment option for young patients with first-time shoulder dislocations. The study found that surgical costs were significantly lower than previously estimated, with a probability of re-dislocation below 7%.
Stress fracture risks may be modifiable
Researchers identified dynamic knee rotation and frontal plane angles as key risk factors for lower extremity stress fractures. Movement patterns targeting these aspects could help prevent stress fractures through injury prevention programs.
Damon Runyon, Sohn Conference Foundations name 4 new pediatric cancer research fellows
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named four outstanding young scientists to tackle cancers in children and young adults. The award provides funding for basic scientists and clinicians conducting research with the potential to significantly impact pediatric cancer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.
Exploring gender dimensions of treatment programs for neglected tropical diseases in Uganda
The study found that men face more difficulty accessing treatment due to occupational roles, while women are more likely to receive treatment. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women often lack awareness of safe medicine use, leading to missed treatments.
Satellite views Chantal's remnants over Bahamas
The National Hurricane Center reported that Chantal's remnants remained disorganized and development became less likely due to upper-level winds. NASA's GOES-13 satellite spotted the storm's remaining clouds and showers moving north in the Atlantic.