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Science News Archive May 2013 - Page 14


Page 14 of 30

More than one-third of Texas women still receive unnecessary breast biopsy surgery

A study published in Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that 35% of Texas women diagnosed with a breast mass between 2000 and 2008 underwent unnecessary surgical biopsies. This represents thousands of women who had surgery unnecessarily, while also driving up healthcare costs.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 17, 2013

GPS solution provides 3-minute tsunami alerts

Researchers used GPS data to measure ground deformation caused by a large underwater earthquake, providing accurate warning of the resulting tsunami in just a few minutes. This method can provide fast, detailed, and accurate tsunami alerts, overcoming limitations of traditional seismological methods.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateMay 17, 2013

Underrepresented minority students receive fellowships in digestive disease and nutrition research

The American Gastroenterological Association has announced the inaugural AGA Investing in the Future Student Research Fellowship Award recipients, supporting underrepresented minority students in digestive disease and nutrition research. The program aims to stimulate an interest in gastroenterological research and provide students with...

New study recommends using active videogaming ('exergaming') to improve children's health

A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics suggests that high-intensity exergaming can improve vascular health and reduce energy expenditure in children. High-intensity gaming sessions elicited an equivalent energy expenditure to moderate-intensity exercise, while low-intensity games had no impact on vascular function.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMay 17, 2013

Corruption influences migration of skilled workers

A new study by EMBO reports found that corruption in countries hinders the attraction and retention of highly skilled workers. The level of corruption directly affects the availability of skilled workers, leading to negative consequences for a country's economy.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Reports·DateMay 17, 2013

Front-row seats to climate change

Climate change is stressing amphibian populations worldwide, with USGS research revealing that extreme rainfall events and droughts can decrease their numbers. Scientists examined the impact of changes in rainfall patterns on amphibian life cycles, finding that a balance between deluges and droughts is crucial for survival.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalWetlands·DateMay 17, 2013

Stroke patients respond similarly to after-stroke care, despite age difference

A recent study published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development found that patients who have suffered a stroke respond equally to care efforts, regardless of their age. The research looked at 3,196 patients treated for ischemic strokes and found little difference in health quality across different age groups.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development·DateMay 17, 2013

Promising doped zirconia

Researchers have explored iron-doped zirconia, bridging the gap between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements. The study found that oxygen vacancies play a crucial role in providing its unique electronic and magnetic properties.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 17, 2013

Moffitt Cancer Center researchers analyze how Spanish smoking relapse booklets are distributed

Researchers found that active and passive distribution methods may not have reached the intended audience, highlighting the need for culturally relevant tobacco information in Spanish. The study's findings suggest that alternative distribution strategies could improve the reach of relapse prevention materials.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Cancer Education·DateMay 17, 2013

The Lancet: Women Deliver special issue

A new meta-analysis of seven trials in Bangladesh, India, Malawi, and Nepal found that grassroots women's groups can dramatically reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Additionally, an analysis of official development assistance for reproductive health reveals that less than a tenth of funding is directed towards family planning.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 17, 2013

Genetic risk for schizophrenia is connected to reduced IQ

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found a link between genetic risk for schizophrenia and lower IQ, suggesting common genetic variants may contribute to cognitive decline. The research analyzed data from 937 individuals and found that those with higher genetic risk had lower IQ at age 70 but not at age 11.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 16, 2013

Cancer survivors battle with the blues

Depressive symptoms observed in cancer survivors between one and ten years after diagnosis increase the risk of premature death. Cancer survivors with depression are twice as likely to have died early compared to those without depression.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateMay 16, 2013

Vitamin C does not lower uric acid levels in gout patients

New research published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that vitamin C supplementation had a weak effect on lowering uric acid levels in gout patients. The study suggests that vitamin C may not be a viable therapy for reducing uric acid levels in patients with established gout.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateMay 16, 2013

Endothelium, heal thyself

The endothelium, a cellular layer lining blood vessels, has an efficient barrier function maintained by its ability to heal micro-wounds. New research shows that biomechanical signals trigger the recovery response, generating reactive oxygen species to close gaps and restore functionality.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMay 16, 2013