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Science News for March 27, 2013


Human emotion: We report our feelings in 3-D

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that humans report emotions in three distinct systems: attention, categorization, and intensity. The researchers used brain scans to examine the neural architecture underlying emotional reports.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 27, 2013

HIV sufferers need hepatitis safeguards

A new study by Michigan State University found that about four percent of HIV-positive individuals also have hepatitis, highlighting the need for stronger protections against co-infection. The study reveals that behaviors putting people at risk of HIV also increase their risk of getting hepatitis B or C.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEpidemiology and Infection·DateMar 27, 2013

Telling tales can be a good thing

A recent study found that mothers tend to elaborate more and use more emotional terms when reminiscing with their children than fathers. This increased interaction helps mothers communicate the importance of their child's feelings and experiences, leading to better emotional well-being.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateMar 27, 2013

Do intellectual property rights on existing technologies hinder subsequent innovation?

A recent study published in the Journal of Political Economy suggests that intellectual property rights on existing technologies can discourage subsequent scientific research. Researchers found a persistent 20-30% reduction in subsequent scientific research and product development for genes held by Celera's intellectual property.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateMar 27, 2013

How herpesvirus invades nervous system

Researchers at Northwestern University identified a viral protein, VP1/2, that allows herpesvirus to interact with cellular motors and speed through the nervous system. This breakthrough enables the virus to move unobstructed from skin nerves to neuron nuclei, outcompeting most other viruses.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMar 27, 2013

Pinning down the pain

A key protein in Schwann cells is essential for normal interactions between nerve cells and Schwann cells, regulating the steps that lead to nerve regeneration. Deficiency of this protein may lead to chronic neuropathic pain, motivating the development of a small molecule drug to mimic its function.

What's between a slip and a slide?

A new study from the University of Sheffield used a test machine to measure friction on tennis court surfaces, finding that sand particle size affects clay court friction, particularly when wet. The research aims to create international standards for court surfaces to inform players about court conditions and improve player safety.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part P Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology·DateMar 27, 2013

Environmental enrichment important factor impacting cell transplantation and brain repair

Researchers found that environmental enrichment, including running and exposure to novel objects, improved neurobehavioral function in mice after transplanting adipose-derived stem cells. Exercise-induced fibroblast growth factor 2 enhanced brain repair by promoting angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and astrocytic activation.

Seeing happiness in ambiguous facial expressions reduces aggressive behavior

A study found that encouraging young people to see happiness rather than anger in facial expressions leads to a decrease in their levels of anger and aggression. The researchers also discovered that this effect can be induced in healthy adults, suggesting that emotion processing plays a causal role in anger and aggressive behavior.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 27, 2013

The placodonts are fellow Europeans

A new find in a 246-million-year-old sediment layer reveals the skull of a juvenile placodont, confirming its European origin and providing insight into the group's early evolution. The discovery highlights the significance of crushing dentition in placodonts, with pointed teeth appearing earlier than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 2013

Sex discrimination begins in the womb

A study by Michigan State University researchers found that women in India are more likely to receive prenatal care when pregnant with boys. The research suggests that sex discrimination begins in the womb, leading to unequal access to healthcare for girls. This can have long-term effects on children's health and well-being.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Human Resources·DateMar 27, 2013

Proteins in detail

Researchers have successfully studied the shape of proteins using a novel strategy combining computational modeling and experimental techniques. This breakthrough has implications for understanding protein functions and diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2013

Missed opportunities to help smokers with mental illness

Despite declining smoking prevalence, people with mental health disorders remain significantly more likely to smoke and are less likely to receive cessation support from their GP. GPs can effectively intervene with nicotine replacement therapy and other medications, but often miss opportunities due to unequal consultation rates.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateMar 27, 2013

How does innovation take hold in a community? Math modeling can provide clues

A mathematical model analyzes the spread of energy-efficient technologies in a community, highlighting the role of social networks and personal factors. The study provides tools for local authorities to assess the success of intervention strategies and reduce household energy bills and carbon emissions.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems·DateMar 27, 2013

A new way to lose weight?

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered that drastic changes in the gut microbes of mice occur following gastric bypass surgery, resulting in rapid weight loss. The study suggests that manipulating microbial populations could become a valuable tool to address obesity.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 27, 2013

Just 'weight' until menopause

Research reveals that estrogen deficiency after menopause leads to increased fat storage in the abdomen, associated with a higher risk of health issues. Post-menopausal women experience changes in cellular processes, leading to more fat being stored overall, which can be a target for future medical advances.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDiabetes·DateMar 27, 2013

America: Time to shake the salt habit?

A review of literature suggests that lowering salt intake is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease and mortality. National studies in Finland and Great Britain show a significant decrease in death due to stroke and coronary heart disease after instituting a national salt-reduction program.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 27, 2013

Fewer children mean longer life?

Research from the University of Gothenburg found that birds with few offspring and delayed reproduction have better-protected telomeres, leading to longer lives. This study sheds light on the correlation between reproduction and aging in animals, particularly species like barnacle geese and elephants.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 27, 2013

York scientists discover driving force behind prostate cancer

Scientists at the University of York have discovered a cancer-inducing DNA realignment in human prostate cancer stem cells that can lead to more effective therapies targeting the root cause of the disease. This breakthrough has challenged previous understanding of solid cancers and offers new opportunities for targeted treatments.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 27, 2013

Stressful life events may increase stillbirth risk, NIH network study finds

A National Institutes of Health network study found that pregnant women who experienced financial, emotional, or other personal stress had an increased chance of having a stillbirth. The researchers asked over 2,000 women about stressful life events and found that most women reported at least one event in the previous year.

Transmission routes of spreading protein particles

Researchers found that certain protein particles can multiply and spread from one cell to the next, contributing to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This discovery may lead to new methods for treatment by preventing the spreading of disease-related protein particles.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2013

Restrictive Medicaid eligibility criteria associated with higher rates of delayed medical care

Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that states with restrictive Medicaid eligibility criteria have higher rates of patients delaying needed medical care. Regions with the highest rates of delayed medical care are primarily in the southeast, including Florida and Texas, where Hispanics are at a higher risk for delaying care.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 27, 2013

The first caffeine-'addicted' bacteria

Researchers genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to metabolize caffeine, enabling its use for decontamination of wastewater and production of medications for asthma. This breakthrough could also lead to the development of a sensor to measure caffeine levels in beverages.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateMar 27, 2013

Dusting for prints from a fossil fish to understand evolutionary change

Scientists have discovered a new species of armored fish in north central Pennsylvania, providing insights into evolutionary changes during the Devonian period. The discovery was made possible by a technique used to analyze fossil impressions, which allowed researchers to create a detailed description of the new species.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia·DateMar 27, 2013

Why sticking around is sometimes the better choice

A meta-analysis of 62 studies across 48 species found that sticking around to care for offspring is the better choice for some males when faced with infidelity. Males tend to be more accepting of offspring fathered by other males in species where risk is low or caring doesn't harm reproductive success.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 27, 2013

How to build a very large star

A team of astronomers at the University of Toronto propose a mechanism for forming very large stars, where baby stars are fed gas from surrounding older stars, allowing them to grow in mass. They observed evidence of this phenomenon in the Westerhout 3 cloud, located 6,500 light years from Earth.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 27, 2013