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Science News for July 18, 2013


Electronic health records help fight vaccine-preventable diseases, Columbia Nursing study finds

A study by Columbia Nursing researchers found that automated reporting of immunization data through EHRs increased knowledge about individuals and communities, allowing medical and public health officials to make informed decisions. This led to reduced lag times, improved documentation, and enhanced efficiency in vaccine tracking.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalApplied Clinical Informatics·DateJul 18, 2013

Snow in an infant solar system

Astronomers have imaged the carbon monoxide snow line around a young star, TW Hydrae, for the first time. The discovery sheds light on planet and comet formation, with implications for the origin of life.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateJul 18, 2013

First atlas on oceanic plankton

The global atlas, MAREDAT, provides unprecedented insights into oceanic plankton diversity and biomass across 500,000 locations worldwide. It reveals surprising findings, such as zooplankton having more biomass than phytoplankton in some regions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEarth System Science Data·DateJul 18, 2013

Why crop rotation works

A new study reveals that changing crop species massively alters the content of microbes in the soil, helping plants acquire nutrients and regulate growth. Soil grown with peas was highly enriched for fungi, while oat and pea cultivation shifted the balance towards protozoa and nematode worms.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJul 18, 2013

Study identifies a simple way to reduce healthcare costs

A recent study led by Loyola University Medical Center physician Matthew Kircher identified a simple way to reduce healthcare costs without compromising care. The researchers found that in 178 cases, there was virtually perfect agreement between otologists' findings and official diagnoses from the pathology lab, suggesting that these e...

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalThe Laryngoscope·DateJul 18, 2013

Scientists develop new way to measure cumulative effect of head hits in football

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a new metric called Risk Weighted Cumulative Exposure (RWE) to capture players' exposure to the risk of concussion over a football season. The study found that impact frequency was greater during games than practices, but overall exposure was greater during practices.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 18, 2013

Childhood abuse raises drug users' suicide risk

A new study found that childhood abuse can have life-and-death consequences for the rest of a person's life, with severe-to-extreme abuse contributing significantly to future suicide attempts. The study used a longitudinal design and found strong associations between abuse and lasting mental health impacts well into adulthood.

SourceBrown University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 18, 2013

Is sexual addiction the real deal?

UCLA researchers measure brain responses to sexual images in hypersexual individuals, finding that brain response is tied only to level of sexual desire, not severity of hypersexuality. This challenges existing theories of sex 'addiction', suggesting it may be a cluster of problems rather than an addiction.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalSocioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology·DateJul 18, 2013

A secret to making macrophages

Researchers at Caltech have discovered a new mechanism for creating macrophages by increasing the accumulation of regulatory protein PU.1 through slowed cell division. The process involves an unexpected cycle where cell division slows, allowing higher PU.1 levels to accumulate and prompt macrophage generation.

Gene mutation linked to obesity

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital identified a genetic cause of severe obesity in mice with the Mrap2 gene mutation, which also affects humans. The study found that these individuals gained weight even on a controlled diet, highlighting a new understanding of metabolism and energy regulation.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience·DateJul 18, 2013

How mice teach us about disease

A large new resource of mouse lines has been created to study human diseases, revealing new functions for well-known genes and unexpected associations with traits like body weight. The project provides a wealth of freely available clinical and biological information to aid in the development of new therapies.

European fish stocks poised for recovery

According to a major international effort, many European fish stocks in the northeast Atlantic are being fished sustainably, with populations expected to recover over time. The study highlights the importance of maintaining low fishing pressure until stocks rebuild their populations.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 18, 2013

Banner Health, Mayo Clinic receive grant

Researchers at Banner Sun Health Research Institute and Mayo Clinic are working together on a diagnostic test to identify early Parkinson's disease in patients. They believe that transcutaneous submandibular gland biopsy may provide the needed accuracy, as they look for a protein in the cells from patients with early Parkinson's disease.

Most people with moderate kidney disease have medication-resistant hypertension

A strong association was found between worse kidney function and medication-resistant hypertension in individuals with moderate chronic kidney disease. Black patients and those with a larger waist circumference, diabetes, and a history of heart attacks or strokes were more likely to have resistant hypertension.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 18, 2013

Newly found CLAMP protein regulates genes

The newly found CLAMP protein plays a crucial role in regulating the X chromosome in male fruit flies, enabling them to develop and survive. By working together with the MSL complex, CLAMP creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop that enhances gene expression, providing a model for understanding how proteins govern gene transcription.

SourceBrown University·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 18, 2013

Computing toxic chemicals

A new computational technique developed by researchers at the University of Kansas allows industry regulators and consumers to predict whether a given compound will be toxic even at low doses. The method combines QSAR principles with statistical analysis, achieving higher prediction accuracy than previous approaches.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics·DateJul 18, 2013

Facebook for molecules

NIST researchers create a standard language for describing molecules, enabling rapid search and identification of substances with specific properties. The approach could speed up the development of new drugs and designer materials by allowing scientists to quickly sift through vast chemical and biological data sets.

Graphene 'onion rings' have delicious potential

Researchers at Rice University have successfully synthesized graphene nanoribbons on metal from the bottom up, a process that could lead to breakthroughs in electronics and energy storage. The 'onion rings' of graphene were grown using a new method that relies on hydrogen pressure and controlled growth conditions.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 18, 2013

Bacteriophages battle superbugs

Researchers found that bacteriophages significantly reduce C. difficile cells and toxin production without harming the gut microbiota, offering a potential new therapeutic agent to combat hospital infections. However, some bacteria may develop resistance due to lysogeny, requiring further development to control C. difficile infections.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalAnaerobe·DateJul 18, 2013

Good vibrations: Mediating mood through brain ultrasound

University of Arizona researchers have discovered that ultrasound waves applied to specific areas of the brain can alter patients' moods. The study, led by Dr. Stuart Hameroff, found improvements in mood for up to 40 minutes following treatment with brain ultrasound, compared to no difference when the machine was switched off.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateJul 18, 2013

Early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease prevents psychological and behavioral symptoms

A recent study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland found that early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease can significantly reduce psychological and behavioral symptoms. Persons with a very mild Alzheimer's disease diagnosed at an early stage are better able to manage their daily activities than those diagnosed at a...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalInternational Psychogeriatrics·DateJul 18, 2013

Soft Robotics -- preview issue of groundbreaking journal on engineered soft devices that interact with living systems

Soft Robotics is a new peer-reviewed journal combining advances in biomedical engineering, biomechanics, and materials science to create robotic technology for interactive robots. The journal provides a forum for scientists and engineers across diverse fields to work together to build the next generation of soft robots.

NYU Langone Medical Center's tip sheet to the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, July 13-18, 2013, in Boston, Mass.

Experts from NYU Langone Medical Center will present new research on advanced treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The Comprehensive Center on Brain Aging is devoted to research and clinical advances toward the treatment and cure of all neurodegenerative diseases.

For women with hysterectomies, estrogen may be a lifesaver after all

A Yale University study reveals that nearly 50,000 unnecessary deaths among women aged 50-69 with hysterectomies could have been avoided if they used estrogen-only therapy instead of combined hormone therapy. The decline in estrogen usage was linked to the 2002 WHI study's findings on women with a uterus, but not those without one.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 18, 2013