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Science News for May 20, 2013


Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Studies of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients reveal that older, sicker men are unlikely to benefit from aggressive therapy. Researchers found that those aged 61-74 and over 75 with multiple health issues face high risks of mortality from non-prostate causes, suggesting a shift towards more conservative treatment approaches.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 20, 2013

Do salamanders hold the solution to regeneration?

Researchers from Monash University found that macrophages play a crucial role in salamander regeneration. Without them, salamanders lose their ability to regenerate and form scar tissue instead. The study brings scientists closer to understanding the conditions needed for human regeneration.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2013

Bed sharing with parents increases risk of cot death fivefold

A large analysis published in BMJ Open found that bed sharing with parents increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by fivefold. The study advises against bed sharing for babies under three months old, citing a significant reduction in SIDS deaths when babies sleep on their backs in a cot.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateMay 20, 2013

Predicting infectious influenza

A new computational technique allows predicting infectious avian influenza strains based on protein sequences and physicochemical characteristics. The 'A2H' system has successfully validated its predictions against known strains of bird flu and those that are infectious to people.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics·DateMay 20, 2013

Breakup of physician, drug company relationship could improve health care, cut cost

A new report suggests that breaking up the relationship between physicians and drug companies could lead to improved healthcare and cost savings. Researchers from Oregon State University found that avoiding conflicts of interest and replacing industry-funded information with peer-reviewed sources can help physicians make more informed ...

SourceOregon State University·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateMay 20, 2013

Blame your parents for bunion woes

A new study has found that bunions and lesser toe deformities are highly inheritable in Caucasian men and women of European descent. The Framingham Foot Study estimated heritability using genetic analyses of familial data, confirming the prevalence of these foot conditions is higher in older adults with a European ancestry.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateMay 20, 2013

Molecular trigger for Alzheimer's disease identified

Scientists at Cambridge's Department of Chemistry have mapped the pathway that generates 'aberrant' forms of proteins, which are at the root of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's. The breakthrough opens up possibilities for a new generation of targeted drugs and earlier diagnosis of neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2013

Abundance and distribution of Hawaiian coral species predicted by model

A study models the distribution and abundance of six dominant Hawaiian coral species, predicting that Porites lobata is the most abundant around the main Hawaiian Islands. Environmental factors such as wave energy, seafloor shape, and island age influence coral cover, with highest concentrations found in wave-sheltered coastlines.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii ‑ SOEST·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateMay 20, 2013

Coming into existence

Researchers at JQI establish a new record for heralding efficiency, detecting entangled photons with 84% accuracy. This achievement paves the way for tighter loopholes over quantum reality and potentially random number generation.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalOptics Letters·DateMay 20, 2013

Unraveling the Napo's mystery

A team from Michigan State University is studying the Napo River's ecohydrology to assess its impact on the region. The research aims to document the river in its 'wild' state before major engineering work is conducted, guiding economic development and promoting conservation.

Anabolic steroids may affect future mental health

A study of elite male strength athletes found a strong connection between anabolic steroid use and depression, concentration problems, and aggressive behavior later in life. The study suggests that anti-doping efforts remain crucial in sports due to the cyclical relationship between substance abuse and mental health issues.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMay 20, 2013

Imaging technique shows premature birth interrupts vital brain development processes leading to reduced cognitive abilities in infants

Researchers used MRI to identify disrupted brain processes in premature infants, showing a link between preterm birth and impaired cognitive function. The study found that cortical development was reduced in premature infants, with the greatest effect in the most premature babies.

SourceKing's College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2013

AHRQ-funded journal supplement offers lessons on primary care practice transformation

The AHRQ-funded journal supplement provides insights from 14 natural experiments on transforming primary care practice. Key findings highlight the importance of a strong foundation, visionary leadership, and contextual factors in achieving successful transformation towards the patient-centered medical home model.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 20, 2013

Fossil brain teaser

Researchers studied 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils to reconstruct their brain and inner ear anatomy. The study found that the brain underwent significant changes during growth, with important parts for hearing and cognitive processes already well-developed in young dinosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateMay 20, 2013

Slow earthquakes: It's all in the rock mechanics

A team of seismologists has discovered that slow earthquakes, which last minutes rather than seconds, are linked to the type of rock in faults. Laboratory experiments using natural samples from Japan found that clay minerals play a key role in this slip behavior, influencing how rocks react to shear.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 20, 2013

Principles of locomotion in confined spaces could help robot teams work underground

Researchers studied fire ants' tunnel networks to discover fundamental principles of locomotion that can be applied to robot teams working underground. The study found that ants use their antennae for both sensing and movement in confined spaces, allowing them to move quickly and easily through tunnels.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2013

Practice makes perfect? Not so much

A study by Michigan State University's Zach Hambrick found that practice accounts for only about one-third of the differences in skill in chess and music. Natural talent and factors such as intelligence and age of start may contribute to the remaining two-thirds.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalIntelligence·DateMay 20, 2013

The compound in the Mediterranean diet that makes cancer cells 'mortal'

A compound found in plant-based foods like parsley and celery has been shown to re-educate cancer cells into normal cells, making them more susceptible to death. The study, led by Ohio State University researchers, suggests that apigenin can restore normal gene regulation, leading to increased cell death rates among breast cancer cells.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2013

Atherosclerotic disease heredity mapped in nationwide study

A nationwide study reveals that heredity plays a significant role in common forms of atherosclerotic disease, with risk highest for individuals with family history. The study found a strong correlation between early-onset aortic atherosclerosis and increased risk of developing the same type of disease.

SourceLund University·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateMay 20, 2013

May research highlights from American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Researchers have developed a new rapid diagnostic test for worm infections that provides substantial improvement over the current standard. The test is expected to be more sensitive and easier to use than existing methods, and will help guide public health efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis affects approxim...

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateMay 20, 2013

Whole-cell vaccine was more effective than acellular vaccine during California pertussis outbreak

A new Kaiser Permanente study published in Pediatrics found that whole-cell pertussis vaccines were more effective at protecting against pertussis than acellular pertussis vaccines during a large recent outbreak in California. The study examined 138 individuals with confirmed pertussis and found that teenagers vaccinated with four dose...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 20, 2013

IMRT may not be more effective than older radiation techniques after prostatectomy

A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may not be more effective than conformal radiation therapy (CRT) after prostatectomy. The study compared outcomes of 457 IMRT and 557 CRT patients treated between 2002 and 2007, showing no significant difference in long-term side ...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 20, 2013