Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive May 2013 - Page 4


Page 4 of 30

A new kind of cosmic glitch

Researchers detected a magnetar suddenly rotate slower, dubbed an 'anti-glitch', revealing puzzling behavior in the internal structure of neutron stars. This finding may lead to renewed progress in understanding these exotic objects.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateMay 29, 2013

Team describes molecular detail of HIV's inner coat, pointing the way to new therapies

A team led by Peijun Zhang has described the 4-million-atom structure of HIV's capsid protein shell, revealing critical molecular interactions that could lead to new treatments. The findings may enable the development of drugs that disrupt the shell's assembly or disassembly, potentially stopping the virus from replicating.

Travelers play valuable role assisting crew in common medical emergencies on flights

A University of Pittsburgh study found that most medical emergencies on flights are well-treated by passengers and flight attendants, with physicians providing guidance via FAA-required emergency medical kit. In nearly half of calls, physician passengers provided medical assistance, while nurses and EMTs helped in another 28 percent.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 29, 2013

Coupled particles cross energy wall

Researchers have demonstrated a new type of quantum phenomenon called Klein tunnelling for two interacting particles. By crossing an energy barrier together, the particles can tunnel through what would otherwise be impassable to individual particles.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 29, 2013

Want to move up at work? Be a true believer

A recent study by Brigham Young University found that employees who exhibit a strong belief in a brand's mission or cause become more influential in important company circles. Those who simply focus on their job performance without being invested in the organization's mission tend to be less influential.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalOrganization Science·DateMay 29, 2013

Childhood abuse linked with food addiction in adult women

A new study finds that women who experienced childhood abuse are more likely to have a food addiction, with eight percent meeting the criteria for food addiction. Women who experienced both physical and sexual abuse in childhood had an even higher likelihood of developing food addiction.

SourceWiley·JournalObesity·DateMay 29, 2013

New possibilities for prostate cancer treatment revealed

Researchers at Monash University have identified a sub-group of cells that can contribute to prostate cancer recurrence, opening up new treatment options. These previously unidentified cells are potential targets for future therapies and may be targeted before the cancer reaches an incurable stage.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 29, 2013

New research finds hernia surgery offers value for money

Hernia surgery appears cost-effective, with an average cost per QALY of £1,881, and patients report greater health benefit after keyhole surgery than open surgery. The study challenges the idea that hernia surgery has low clinical value.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateMay 29, 2013

Organic polymers show sunny potential

Researchers at Rice and Penn State universities have created solar cells using block copolymers, which outperform other polymer compounds as active elements. The new cells reach about 3% efficiency, surprisingly better than previous labs have achieved.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 29, 2013

Gene therapy gives mice broad protection to pandemic flu strains, including 1918 flu

Researchers develop a gene therapy that gives mice complete protection against lethal strains of H5N1 and H1N1 flu virus, including the infamous 1918 flu. The treatment involves expressing a broadly neutralizing antibody in nasal epithelial cells, providing substantial reductions in flu replication and virus load.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 29, 2013

Low sodium diet key to old age for stars

Researchers found that 70% of stars in a globular cluster do not undergo the final nuclear burning and mass-loss phase, contradicting previous theories. The team discovered that these stars have low levels of sodium, suggesting a link between sodium content and stellar evolution.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateMay 29, 2013

Wildfires in Siberia

Wildfires in Siberia have been reported across two regions, with multiple hotspots detected by NASA's MODIS satellite. The Kosmosnimki website reports a total of 85 outbreaks in the Suntarsky Ulus region and 237 outbreaks in the Kobjajsky ulus region.

Immigration status affects educational achievement

A study by Penn State and University of California, Irvine researchers found that Mexican American mothers' formal immigration status impacts their children's and grandchildren's educational attainment. Unauthorized immigrant mothers' children lag behind in education compared to authorized immigrant mothers' and U.S.-born mothers' chil...

More deaths from surgery closer to the weekend

A study published in the British Medical Journal found that patients undergoing planned surgery are more likely to die if they have their operation at the end of the week. The mortality rate was lowest for patients having operations on Monday and increased for each subsequent day of the week, with a significant increase on Fridays.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 28, 2013

Evolution in the blink of an eye

A novel songbird disease has rapidly evolved to become more harmful to its host in just two decades, according to a new study. The research found that the disease became more virulent in both regions studied, with birds exposed to later disease strains developing more swollen eyes that took longer to heal.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 28, 2013

Research shows copper destroys norovirus

New research from the University of Southampton reveals copper can rapidly destroy norovirus on surfaces, potentially disrupting infection cycles and lowering outbreak risks. The virus can remain infectious on solid surfaces, but copper alloy surfaces containing over 60% copper prove highly effective in destroying it.