Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 5, 2013


Researchers reveal malaria's deadly grip

Researchers discovered how malaria parasites stick to blood vessels by binding to endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR). This finding may lead to new means of combating malaria, including vaccines and drugs. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind severe malaria symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature·DateJun 5, 2013

Doctors should screen for frailty to prevent deaths

Frailty affects 5-10% of people over 70, leading to increased death rates, poor function, and hospitalizations. Screening with the FRAIL questionnaire can identify frail individuals and guide treatment with exercise, nutrition supplements, vitamin D, and reduced medications.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateJun 5, 2013

Teacher collaboration, professional communities improve many elementary school students' math scores

A new study by UNC Charlotte researchers shows that teacher collaboration and professional learning communities improve many elementary school students' math performance. However, few schools have effectively developed both environments, and the study highlights the need for school leaders to create supportive districts that provide re...

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalSociology of Education·DateJun 5, 2013

Georgia State University research finds Clean Air Act increased Atlanta rainfall

A study by Georgia State University researcher Jeremy Diem found that a decrease in pollution following the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970 led to an increase in summer rainfall for the Atlanta metropolitan area. Precipitation levels dropped in the 1950s and 1960s due to air pollution, but rebounded in the late 1970s as pollution ...

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateJun 5, 2013

Over 120,000-year-old bone tumor in Neandertal specimen found

Researchers have identified a fibrous dysplasia tumor in a Neanderthal rib from Croatia, dating back over 120,000 years. This discovery predates previous evidence of this type of cancer by tens of thousands of years, challenging the notion that bone tumors were rare in ancient human populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 5, 2013

Targeting an aspect of Down syndrome

University of Michigan researchers have discovered how a defective gene in Down syndrome is regulated and its impact on neurological development. By studying fruit fly neurons, they identified two molecular pathways that converge to regulate the gene's abundance, offering a possible therapeutic approach to an aspect of the syndrome.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNeuron·DateJun 5, 2013

Big multiple sclerosis breakthrough

A phase 1 clinical trial shows a new treatment safely reduces immune system reactivity to myelin in multiple sclerosis patients by 50-75%. The therapy, which uses specially processed white blood cells, preserves the function of the normal immune system. Researchers hope to launch a phase 2 trial to prevent MS progression.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 5, 2013

New research shows cheese may prevent cavities

A new study found that consuming cheese and other dairy products can help protect teeth against cavities. The study showed that subjects who ate cheese experienced an increase in pH levels, which could be caused by increased saliva production and compounds in cheese adhering to tooth enamel.

SourceAcademy of General Dentistry·JournalEuropean Journal of General Dentistry·DateJun 5, 2013

UCLA scientists isolate new population of pluripotent stem cells in fat removed during liposuction

Researchers at UCLA have isolated a new population of pluripotent stem cells, called Multi-lineage Stress-Enduring (Muse-AT) cells, from fat tissue that can differentiate into virtually every cell type in the human body. These cells are stress-resistant and may even be activated by severe stress, making them potentially superior source...

New phytase effective in improving phosphorus, calcium digestibility in pigs

A new microbial phytase derived from Aspergillus oryzae has been found to be highly effective at releasing phosphorus from the phytate molecule. The enzyme, Ronozyme HiPhos, improves phosphorus and calcium digestibility in pigs by up to 68.7% and 84.7%, respectively.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Animal Science and Biotechnology·DateJun 5, 2013

Laser-brightened cirrus clouds

Researchers used laser light pulses to study aerosol and cloud processes in atmospheric conditions. The results show that high-intensity laser pulses can increase the number of ice particles in cirrus clouds by up to a factor of 100 within seconds, intensifying their optical density and making them appear brighter.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2013

Pollination merely 1 production factor

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that coffee farmers in southern India can increase yields independently of bees, through irrigation, liming, and agroforestry practices. The study's findings challenge the idea that pollinators are essential for coffee production, highlighting the importance of alternative factors.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2013

To catch a cyber-thief

A new technique developed by researchers at Concordia University has slashed data-crunching time for law enforcement, allowing investigators to extract hidden knowledge from large volumes of text. The new method automatically identifies criminal topics and provides visualization of social networks among participants.

SourceConcordia University·JournalData & Knowledge Engineering·DateJun 5, 2013

New all-solid sulfur-based battery outperforms lithium-ion technology

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed an all-solid lithium-sulfur battery with approximately four times the energy density of conventional lithium-ion technologies. The battery's use of abundant low-cost elemental sulfur addresses flammability concerns, while also increasing safety by eliminating liquid electrolytes.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 5, 2013

'Belief in science' increases in stressful situations

A study by Oxford University psychologists found that stress or anxiety increases a 'belief in science' in non-religious people, which may help them cope with adversity. The researchers suggest that this belief can offer comfort and reassurance, similar to the benefits of religious faith.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJun 5, 2013

Short-term therapy given by para-professionals reduces symptoms among rape survivors in DRC

A randomized controlled study found that short-term therapy delivered by para-professionals significantly reduced mental health symptoms among rape survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) was effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 5, 2013

What's in a name?

Researchers analyzed popular baby names from the last decade to decode the association between vowel sound size and sex. They found that male names are more likely to contain larger sounding vowels, which may influence parents' choices.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 5, 2013

Pollution controls increase beach attendance, study shows

A new study found that installing storm drain diversions at 26 beaches in Santa Monica Bay and Malibu increased attendance by 350,000 to 860,000 annually. The installation of these diversions improved the environmental quality of coastal areas, leading to a direct correlation between increased attendance and reduced beach closures.

SourceDuke University·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·DateJun 5, 2013

Animals and humans -- a false divide?

A recent study published in Social Science Information challenges the long-held notion that humans are separate from animals. Dominique Lestel argues that species loss has a symbolic consequence on our culture, and that every species contributes to our being and meaning.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Science Information·DateJun 5, 2013

Protein block stops vascular damage in diabetes

Researchers at Lund University discovered a substance that prevents atherosclerosis caused by high blood sugar levels. The substance only affects NFAT-activated cells and has no impact on the immune system. This breakthrough offers hope for a targeted treatment to address vascular damage in diabetes patients.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 5, 2013