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Science News for June 17, 2013


First risk assessment of shale gas fracking to biodiversity

A recent study published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences explores the threat posed by shale gas fracking to biodiversity. The research reveals potential impacts on ecosystems, including salinization of soils, surface waters, and fragmentation of forests.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2013

Study finds the sweet spot -- and the screw-ups -- that make or break environmental collective actions

A study by Michigan State University found that there is a sweet spot – a group size at which the action is most effective. This sweet spot can increase and be more effective until free-riders weigh down the effort's momentum, while small groups can be powerful until individuals become overwhelmed.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2013

Preventing eggs' death from chemotherapy

Researchers at Northwestern University have found a molecular pathway that prevents the death of immature ovarian eggs due to chemotherapy, potentially preserving fertility and endocrine function. Adding a specific chemotherapy drug combination may protect young women's reproductive health during cancer treatment.

New 'embryonic' subduction zone found

A new subduction zone has been detected off the coast of Portugal, marking the beginning of a cycle that will close the Atlantic Ocean. The Iberian subduction zone will pull Iberia towards the United States over approximately 220 million years.

SourceMonash University·JournalGeology·DateJun 17, 2013

Mapping a room in a snap

A team from EPFL has developed a computer algorithm that can create a 3D model of a simple room based on sound picked up by four microphones. The algorithm uses the differences in signal time to calculate distances between microphones, walls, and the sound source.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2013

Printing artificial bone

Researchers at MIT develop approach to print synthetic materials with fracture behavior similar to natural bone, using computer-optimized designs and 3-D printing. The new material exhibits a fracture resistance of up to 22 times larger than its strongest constituent material.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 17, 2013

Study details age disparities in HIV continuum of care

A study reveals significant age disparities in HIV continuum of care, with people under 45 years less likely to be aware of their infection or have a suppressed viral load. Early diagnosis and prompt care are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality, but many patients face barriers to access treatment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 17, 2013

When retailers strike out twice

Researchers found that customers may desire both revenge and reconciliation after a double service failure, depending on perceived firm motives. Effective ways to reduce negative customer response include explanations of the failure and apologies paired with compensation.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateJun 17, 2013

Scouring the genome of adenoid cystic carcinoma

Researchers identified a genetic translocation that can precipitate disease in adenoid cystic carcinoma, with many disease-associated mutations occurring in genes modifying DNA. Identifying individual mutations will aid in the development of personalized therapy, according to accompanying commentary.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 17, 2013

Poor eating behaviors may put preschoolers at risk for later health problems

A new study by Dr. Nav Persaud found a significant association between poor eating habits in kids ages three to five and their levels of non-HDL cholesterol, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Parents who allowed their children to snack on junk food and eat while watching TV were more likely to have this risk.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 17, 2013

CNIC researchers find a possible treatment for one of the main symptoms of premature aging disease

CNIC researchers have identified a possible treatment to block the deposition of calcium in arterial walls, a key symptom of premature aging disease. Chronic treatment with pyrophosphate inhibits calcium deposition, which is accelerated in mice with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Multidisciplinary initiative reduces airway infection in pediatric intensive care patients

A multidisciplinary approach combining preventive measures and regular monitoring significantly reduced ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) infections in pediatric intensive care patients. The initiative, implemented at Nationwide Children's Hospital, resulted in a 53% drop in VAT cases compared to pre-intervention rates.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalPediatric Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 17, 2013

Voices may not trigger brain's reward centers in children with autism, Stanford/Packard study shows

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that brain regions tailored to respond to voices are poorly connected to reward-processing circuits in children with high-functioning autism. This weakness may impede their ability to experience speech as pleasurable, contributing to communication deficits.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2013

Infections increase risk of mood disorders

A study of over 3 million Danes found that those admitted to hospital with an infection prior to a mood disorder diagnosis had a 62% increased risk of developing the condition. The immune system's impact on brain function may play a role in this connection.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 17, 2013

'Chemical architects' build materials with potential applications in drug delivery and gas storage

University of Pittsburgh researchers design a family of ultra-porous materials with potential applications in drug delivery, gas storage, and industrial separations. The materials' high porosity could enable more efficient pharmaceutical delivery into the human body and lower-cost industrial separations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 17, 2013

NYSCF and Columbia researchers demonstrate use of stem cells to analyze causes, treatment of diabetes

Researchers from NYSCF and Columbia University have generated patient-specific beta cells using skin cells from MODY patients. These cells accurately reflect the features of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and can be used to develop new therapies for the disease. The study's findings demonstrate a critical proof-of-principl...

SourceNew York Stem Cell Foundation·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 17, 2013

An innovative material for the green Earth

Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a novel method to synthesize hierarchically nanoporous frameworks of nanocrystalline metal oxides for CO2 adsorption. The material exhibits exceptionally high CO2 adsorption capacity, offering a potential solution to environmental pollution.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 17, 2013

A new target for cancer drug development

Harvard researchers have identified the SALL4 gene as a key player in tumor formation, and have demonstrated that blocking its activity can halt cancer growth. The study provides new hope for treating aggressive forms of leukemia and other cancers.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 17, 2013

Working backward: Computer-aided design of zeolite templates

Researchers at Rice University have developed a computational method to tailor the properties of zeolites, a crucial step in producing industrial minerals. The method uses organic structure directing agents (OSDAs) to guide the growth of zeolite crystals and can potentially produce new types of zeolites.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJun 17, 2013

New study shows predators affect the carbon cycle

A recent study found that the presence of spiders drives up the rate of carbon uptake by plants, while also changing their storage patterns. This effect is linked to the predator-prey relationship between grasshoppers and spiders, highlighting the vital role of predators in regulating the carbon cycle.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2013

A robot that runs like a cat

The 'cheetah-cub robot' boasts excellent auto-stabilization characteristics and can run nearly seven times its body length in one second. Its design is based on the meticulous observation of feline leg morphology, featuring springs to reproduce tendons and actuators to replace muscles.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·DateJun 17, 2013

Mobile health devices can improve health care access in developing countries, remote regions

The development of mobile-presence medical devices can help fill the void of limited healthcare infrastructure and access to medical professionals in remote locations. Pilot tests have successfully connected obstetricians with pregnant women in Bolivia, enabling real-time monitoring and diagnostic imaging.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 17, 2013

Medical assessment in the blink of an eye

Researchers found that medical specialists can identify abnormality in breast and cervical cancer images with high accuracy, outperforming random guessing. However, localizing the issue proves challenging even for experts.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateJun 17, 2013

JCI early table of contents for June 17, 2013

Researchers identified a genetic translocation that can precipitate disease in adenoid cystic carcinoma patients. They also found that variants in the SIM1 gene are associated with severe obesity, while vitamin B3 blocks cyst formation in a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 17, 2013

Slow and steady wins the baggage search

Researchers found that trained Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening officers were slower than undergraduate students but more accurate in identifying T-shaped arrangements on computer screens. Consistent search patterns freed up brain processing, improving performance.

SourceDuke University·JournalVisual Cognition·DateJun 17, 2013