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Science News for March 1, 2013


Volcanic aerosols, not pollutants, tamped down recent Earth warming, says CU-Boulder study

A new CU-Boulder study suggests that volcanic aerosols, rather than industrial pollution, have counteracted as much as 25% of human-caused global warming since 2000. The research, led by Ryan Neely, used sophisticated computer models to separate coal-burning emissions from Asia from volcanic contributions worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 1, 2013

The patient satisfaction chasm

Researchers found that hospital management fails to engage frontline clinicians in improving patient satisfaction, despite most believing it's achievable. Clinicians reported receiving feedback only 34% of the time, highlighting the need for more structured plans and active role from hospital management.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateMar 1, 2013

How do bacteria clog medical devices? Very quickly

Researchers at Princeton University found that bacteria can clog medical devices like stents in a short period of time by forming sticky biofilms. The study used controlled environments with rough surfaces and pressure-driven fluid, demonstrating the need for real-world conditions to understand device failures.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2013

Mother Teresa: Anything but a saint…

Mother Teresa's image was constructed through a media relations campaign, with facts such as her dubious care for the sick, questionable political contacts, and suspicious management of funds uncovered. Despite these issues, she built an image of holiness through mass media promotion, including a eulogistic film and numerous awards.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalStudies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses·DateMar 1, 2013

Cancer doesn't change young girls' desire to have children, Moffitt Cancer Center study shows

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that healthy adolescent females have predetermined expectations for becoming parents but worry about fertility and childbearing due to a life-threatening illness like cancer. The study validated a tool to assess teenage girls' hopes and feelings about reproduction.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 1, 2013

A coordinated response to cardiac stress

Researchers at Yale University identified a molecular mechanism by which the growth of new blood vessels and heart muscle are coordinated. Nitric oxide triggers the destruction of RGS4, allowing for physiological changes associated with the relaxation of blood vessels, while promoting cardiac growth.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2013

Towards more sustainable construction

A team of graduate students from Concordia University developed a watchdog tool to evaluate the level of compliance between urban planning goals and environmental impact assessments of development projects. The study found that the proposal adopted in 2009 for the Turcot highway interchange was inadequate for long-term sustainability.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Impact Assessment Review·DateMar 1, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Mar. 1, 2013

Scientists identified nitric oxide's role in degrading a protein that attenuates cardiac growth, linking vascular changes to heart size. A nanogel-based treatment targeting an immunosuppressive drug directly to tissues associated with immune cells may help treat systemic lupus erythematosus.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2013

Fish migrate to safer environments

A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that roach fish migrate to surrounding streams and wetlands to escape cormorant predators, highlighting the first evidence of migration as a strategy to avoid predation. The researchers used innovative tracking methods to determine which fish were eaten by cormorants.

SourceLund University·JournalBiology Letters·DateMar 1, 2013

A nanogel-based treatment for lupus

Researchers developed a nanogel-based delivery system targeting immunosuppressive drug mycophenolic acid at tissues associated with immune cells. The treatment showed improved survival rates and delayed kidney damage in mouse models of lupus.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2013