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Science News Archive May 2013 - Page 5


Page 5 of 30

Preventing 'traffic jams' in brain cells

A study by University at Buffalo researchers has identified a novel function of the protein presenilin in controlling the speed of molecular motors along neuronal highways. This regulation may prevent deadly blockages in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, offering hope for new treatments.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateMay 28, 2013

Domestic violence and perinatal mental health

A systematic review found that women who have experienced domestic violence are more likely to develop perinatal mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. High levels of symptoms were linked to increased odds of experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy or over a lifetime.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 28, 2013

Malaria protection in chimpanzees

Adult wild chimpanzees exhibit a strong association between age and malaria parasite detection rates, with significantly lower positivity in adults. This suggests that individuals reaching adulthood mount an effective protective immunity against malaria parasites, consistent with human observations.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiology Letters·DateMay 28, 2013

White Mountains hikers often underprepared

A study by Brown University found that three out of five hikers brought seven or fewer items, while only 18 percent packed all 10 essential items. Young and inexperienced hikers were most likely to lack multiple items recommended by the State of New Hampshire's HikeSafe program.

SourceBrown University·JournalWilderness and Environmental Medicine·DateMay 28, 2013

Tobacco companies are not public health stakeholders

A study by US and German experts analyzed secret tobacco industry documents to conclude that the companies have a history of intentional deception. The authors argue that regulatory bodies should not consider tobacco companies stakeholders due to their vested interests, which could manipulate scientific discourse and harm public health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 28, 2013

Diamonds, nanotubes find common ground in graphene

Scientists at Rice University and Honda Research Institute have created a hybrid material that combines diamonds, nanotubes, and graphene for superior thermal management. The researchers successfully grew vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on diamond using graphene as a middleman, demonstrating its potential as a heat sink.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 28, 2013

Research highlights the increasing problem of prescription drug abuse among youth

A recent study by University of Cincinnati researchers highlights the increasing problem of prescription drug abuse among youth, with males and high school students at a higher risk. The study found that pro-social behaviors, such as strong connections with parents and teachers, can reduce the odds of abusing prescription drugs.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe Journal of Primary Prevention·DateMay 28, 2013

Advanced paper could be foundation for inexpensive biomedical and diagnostic devices

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology create a new type of paper that repels a wide variety of liquids, including water and oil, using the 'lotus effect'. The modified paper could be used as a foundation for inexpensive biomedical diagnostics and provide an improved packaging material that is recyclable and sustainable.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 28, 2013

Just how secure is quantum cryptography?

Theorists have found new methods to determine the likelihood of quantum encryption scheme failure, enabling device-independent cryptography. This allows for the estimation of failure probabilities without relying on assumptions about the reliability of devices.

SourceOptica·DateMay 28, 2013

Art appreciation is measureable

Researchers developed a new model that integrates both historical and psychological perspectives on art appreciation. This approach acknowledges the importance of artistic understanding in assessing value and meaning, and can be applied to various forms of art.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalBehavioral and Brain Sciences·DateMay 28, 2013

Researchers provide rationale for use of targeted immunotherapy in sarcomatoid lung carcinomas

Sarcomatoid lung carcinomas are rare and aggressive diseases resistant to chemotherapy. Researchers found higher levels of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in these tumors, which may lead to the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 targeted therapies. This discovery supports potential novel immunotherapy approaches for this difficult-to-treat disease.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMay 28, 2013

Doctor brands NHS profits from pregnancy 'unacceptable'

The NHS receives millions of pounds annually in revenue from promotions to pregnant women, raising concerns over commercial interests influencing healthcare decisions. Trusted organizations, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, profit from selling advertisers access to pregnant women through promotions.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 28, 2013

Colorado's new alga may be a source of biofuel production

A new strain of algae discovered in Colorado's Rocky Mountains has been found to grow at temperatures approaching freezing and accumulate large intracellular stores of lipids. The algae produces the highest quantity of lipids when grown under high light and low temperatures, making it an ideal source for biofuel production.

SourceWiley·JournalBiotechnology Progress·DateMay 28, 2013

Operative death rates higher at weekend, warn researchers

Researchers found a 'weekday effect' in mortality rates for patients undergoing elective surgery, with higher risks at the weekend and end of working week. The study suggests poorer quality of care may contribute to this, particularly for patients with more diseases or previous admissions.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 28, 2013

Psychotherapy's benefits for depression

International researchers found that all seven psychotherapeutic interventions have comparable effects on depressive symptoms, regardless of patient group or therapy type. The therapies worked equally well for individual and group therapy, as well as internet-based interactions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 28, 2013

Bees tell birds to buzz off

A new study reveals that bumblebees use a 'buzz' warning signal to scare away birds from their freshly built nests. The researchers observed that the birds were distressed and often flew out of the nest when exposed to the buzzing sound.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMay 28, 2013

Penn-led research maps historic sea-level change on the New Jersey coastline

A new study led by the University of Pennsylvania reveals that the New Jersey coast has experienced a 10,000-year record of continuous sea-level rise, with varying rates of increase over time. The research suggests that climate change may trigger catastrophic melting of ice sheets, leading to higher rates of sea-level rise and increasi...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Quaternary Science·DateMay 28, 2013

Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust funds new research focus at Institute for Genomic Biology

The Institute for Genomic Biology will develop foundational synthetic biology technologies and computational platforms for genetic modification of plants and animals. The grant aims to address grand challenges in human health and environmental sustainability, with potential applications in crop yields and disease treatment.

Study explores 100 year increase in forestry diseases

A new study in the Journal of Quaternary Science explores the historic impact of forest diseases on vegetation change. The research suggests that human activity, such as international seed trade, is a major factor in frequent pathogen outbreaks over the last 100 years.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Quaternary Science·DateMay 28, 2013

The analysis of medical images is improved to facilitate the study of psychotic disorders

Researchers have developed new superresolution and segmentation methods for magnetic resonance images to analyze structural brain differences in psychotic patients and their healthy relatives. These methods improve the quality of images and enable automatic calculations of desired sizes, leading to a better understanding of psychosis.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalSchizophrenia Research·DateMay 28, 2013