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Science News Archive July 2013 - Page 5


Page 5 of 31

Social amoebae travel with a posse

Scientists have discovered that social amoebae can cultivate two bacterial strains, one edible and the other toxic, which differ by only one key mutation. This mutation altered the expression of genes in the non-food strain, making it edible, while the food strain retained its defense mechanisms.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2013

PTSD after traumatic events: Which teens are at risk?

A large study from Boston Children's Hospital found that 61% of teenagers had been exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event, with girls more likely to develop PTSD than boys. Risk factors for developing PTSD include lack of both biological parents in the home and pre-existing mental disorders like ADHD.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJul 29, 2013

Head hits can be reduced in youth football

Researchers found that limiting contact in practice reduced the number and force of head hits in young football players. The study, which measured head impacts over an entire season, showed that teams with restricted practices had significantly fewer head hits, on average, than teams without such restrictions.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 29, 2013

NIH researchers identify therapy that may curb kidney deterioration in patients with rare disorder

Researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute identified biomarkers of kidney damage and demonstrated that antioxidant therapy protected kidney function in mice. These findings offer new tools for monitoring disease progression and may pave the way for clinical trials for patients with methylmalonic acidemia.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2013

Sharing the wealth with loyal workers

A new study by Michigan State University found that worker loyalty is positively correlated with higher earnings, with employees who are committed to the company's mission earning up to an additional year of experience. The research also identified factors that promote worker loyalty, including learning new skills and job security.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEvidence-based HRM a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship·DateJul 29, 2013

Prison reform results in strain on welfare system

A study by Rice University and Louisiana State University found that court-mandated prison reforms led to a 22% decrease in welfare spending. The researchers discovered that states that were ordered to improve living conditions spent significantly more on correctional facilities, but less on social programs.

Keeping your balance

McGill researchers have identified a cluster of cells in the brain that react to unexpected motion, enabling us to maintain our balance. This finding has significant implications for understanding the neural basis of motion sickness.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 29, 2013

Mini-monsters of the forest floor

Entomologist Jack Longino identified 33 new species of predatory ants in Central America and the Caribbean. The ants were found in small patches of forest and have monster-like faces with sharp teeth and jaws. Their primitive eyes detect light, but not form images.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalZootaxa·DateJul 29, 2013

Adolescents are what they don't eat, too

A University of Pittsburgh study found that diets lacking omega-3 fatty acids can worsen effects over consecutive generations, particularly affecting teens. Adolescents with omega-3 deficiencies showed increased anxiety and hyperactivity, impaired learning and memory, and problem-solving abilities.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 29, 2013

How does hydrogen metallize?

New calculations predict hydrogen takes on a series of structures under high pressure, forming transparent metal layers that make detection difficult. The findings suggest the line between metal and non-metal in hydrogen is blurrier than previously thought, requiring advanced experimental techniques to detect.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2013

Statins suppress rett syndrome symptoms in mice

Researchers screened genes for interactions with MECP2 and found five modifiers, including squalene epoxidase, which is drug-targetable. Statin drugs improved symptoms in Rett mice, performing better on mobility tests and living longer. However, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm efficacy and determine optimal treatment.

SourceRett Syndrome Research Trust·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 28, 2013

Human stem cell-derived hepatocytes regenerate liver function

Researchers have generated functional human liver cells from stem cells and transplanted them into mice with acute liver injury. The stem-cell derived human liver cells were able to function normally and increase the survival of treated animals. This breakthrough demonstrates a scalable method for producing these cells, which could lea...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 26, 2013

Traditional forest management reduces fungal diversity

Research in Navarre's beech groves reveals traditional forestry management reduces fungal diversity, with some species disappearing and families affected. The study highlights the importance of decomposing dead wood for fungal populations, contradicting current forest management practices.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateJul 26, 2013

HIV-associated lymphoma survival has not improved during the antiretroviral therapy era

New study reveals stable survival rates for HIV-associated lymphoma patients during the antiretroviral therapy era. Despite increased incidence and changing demographics, recent diagnosis years are not associated with decreased mortality. The study highlights an ongoing need to improve treatments for this challenging population.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 26, 2013

Quantum of sonics: Bonded, not stirred

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a method to join nanoparticles together using ultrasound, forming strong agglomerates without changing their useful properties. This discovery could lead to the development of new hybrid materials with various everyday applications, such as improving catalytic converters in car exhausts.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 26, 2013

Overactive immune response blocks itself

Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research discovered natural killer cells have optimal immune response balance, having less active NK cells during early stages of infection improves survival. The overproduction of interferon IFN-γ can block recruitment of neutrophilic granulocytes, leading to fatal sepsis.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·DateJul 26, 2013

The arithmetic of gun control

A UC Irvine team measures how to best prevent bullet deaths by designing parameters for gun control. They found that reduced legal gun availability lowers domestic and one-on-one crime deaths, but armed citizens may save lives in rare mass shootings if trained to avoid accidentally shooting fleeing bystanders.