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Science News for September 17, 2013


Clean energy least costly to power America's electricity needs

A new study finds that replacing coal-fired power plants with wind turbines is the most cost-effective way to cut carbon pollution and reduce health impacts. The switch can also lead to lower electricity generation costs, making clean energy a more economically viable option for powering America's electricity needs.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Environmental Studies and Sciences·DateSep 17, 2013

Lawrence Livermore study finds human activity affects vertical structure of atmospheric temperature

A recent study by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and six other institutions found that human activity has a discernible impact on the thermal structure of the atmosphere. The research compared satellite records with simulations and revealed a unique pattern of global-scale tropospheric warming and stratospheric cooling.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2013

New technology for bioseparation

A new technology developed by Brown University researchers simplifies biomolecule separation using microfluidics and magnets, increasing accuracy and sensitivity in disease detection. The technique has great applicability for point-of-care platforms and specific applications include testing for HIV and influenza.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateSep 17, 2013

Predicting who will have chronic pain

New research from Northwestern University predicts chronic back pain after lower back injuries based on abnormalities in brain structure connections. The study found that specific irregularities in the axons of the brain's white matter can trigger chronic pain with high accuracy, offering new hope for early treatment and prevention.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPain·DateSep 17, 2013

Recent highlights in Molecular Biology and Evolution

Researchers developed a high-throughput assay to track cell growth at low nutrient concentrations, revealing metabolic differences among cells of the same strain in the same environment. The study also found significant genetic variation in Sherpa populations' mitochondrial genomes, suggesting an adaptation for low oxygen environments.

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may heal a mother's childbirth injury

Researchers found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can promote recovery from simulated childbirth injury and reduce symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. The treatment uses multipotent cells found in connective tissues, which home to damaged pelvic organs and release trophic factors to stimulate repair.

Need steroids? Maybe not for lower back pain

A Johns Hopkins analysis found that epidural steroid injections are only twice as effective as injections of any fluid, including anesthetics and saline, for treating lower back pain. The study suggests that smaller doses of steroids may be just as beneficial, and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnesthesiology·DateSep 17, 2013

What a pain in the… groin!

A literature review found that one in four people develop hip arthritis before age 85, contributing to groin pain. Contributing factors include sports-related injuries, prior surgery, and traumatic occupational history. A detailed medical history and examination are crucial for diagnosing the source of groin pain.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateSep 17, 2013

Why kids breathe easier in summer

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that viral respiratory infections may be behind the seasonal spike in sleep-disordered breathing among children. The study, published in Sleep Medicine, suggests that winter months are when pediatric sleep-disordered breathing worsens, contrary to previous assumptions about asthma and allergies.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalSleep Medicine·DateSep 17, 2013

Speeding up cancer diagnosis during surgery

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a highly accurate prototype technique to detect cancerous tissue during surgery. This technique can produce detailed maps of tissue rich in information at the molecular level, enabling fast and objective diagnosis of cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2013

Racism linked to depression and anxiety in youth

A review of 461 cases found strong associations between racism and detrimental health outcomes such as low self-esteem, reduced resilience, and behaviour problems in children and youth. The study identified an important issue that needs to be addressed in society, schools, and communities to improve child and youth health.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateSep 17, 2013

Wetlands more cost-effective in nutrient removal, but multiple payments would be of uncertain value

Researchers found that installing a few wetlands was more cost-effective than upgrading wastewater treatment plants to remove nitrogen pollution. However, the benefits of offering multiple payments for environmental services from wetlands are unclear, and their impact on market outcomes is still debated. The study's findings suggest th...

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·DateSep 17, 2013

First-time measurements in Greenland snowpack show a drop in atmospheric co since 1950s

A recent study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that atmospheric carbon monoxide levels have been declining in Greenland since the 1970s, despite a global increase in vehicle emissions. The research suggests improvements in combustion technology, such as catalytic converters, may have driven this decline.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateSep 17, 2013

Pancreatic stem cells isolated from mice

Researchers have developed a method to isolate and grow pancreatic stem cells from mice, which can differentiate into hormone-producing beta cells or pancreatic duct cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for pancreatic diseases like diabetes.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateSep 17, 2013