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Science News for September 9, 2013


Amino acid with promising anti-diabetic effects

Researchers have demonstrated that the amino acid arginine significantly improves glucose metabolism in both lean and obese mice. The study found that arginine increases the body's production of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an intestinal hormone that plays a key role in regulating appetite and glucose metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalEndocrinology·DateSep 9, 2013

Is bigger really better when it comes to size of labor wards?

New research reveals that large labor wards with 3,000 to 3,999 deliveries annually have lower obstetric injury claims and higher approval rates compared to smaller units. The study found that greater availability of in-house obstetricians and auxiliary specialists contributes to better patient outcomes.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateSep 9, 2013

Indy 500 race cars showcase green fuels

The Indy 500 has switched to a fuel containing 85% ethanol, which reduces air pollutants and releases mainly carbon dioxide and water vapor. Studies have shown that using fuels composed of more than 85% ethanol reduce sulfur emissions by 80%, carbon monoxide by 40%, particulate matter by 20%, VOCs by 15%, and nitrogen oxides by 10%.

Microbes help beetles defeat plant defenses

Researchers discovered that symbiotic bacteria inside beetles suppress plant defenses against chewing insects, allowing beetles to thrive. The findings suggest a new way plants can be vulnerable to insect attacks.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2013

Blacks in U.S. may be at higher risk for health problems from insufficient sleep

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that blacks are more likely to sleep less than seven hours a night, increasing their risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and death. Black professionals had the highest prevalence of short sleep, while white professionals had the lowest.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 9, 2013

STING may take the bite out of autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Type 1 diabetes

Researchers discover STING's critical role in treating autoimmune diseases by evoking expression of enzyme IDO, which blocks immune attack on healthy body constituents. Mice with STING deficiency had no response to DNA nanoparticles, highlighting the protein's essential role in recognizing the molecule that senses DNA.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateSep 9, 2013

Butterfly wings inspire new technologies: from fabrics and cosmetics to sensors

Researchers have discovered the unique properties of Morpho butterfly wings that can be used to develop innovative technologies. The study found that the physical structure and surface chemistry of the wings provide surprising properties for applications such as photonic security tags, sensors and self-cleaning surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2013

Effects of climate change on West Nile virus

A study projects how climate change affects West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes across the southern US, with changes varying by region. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions may lead to longer mosquito seasons but smaller summer populations.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2013

Chemists find new way to put the brakes on cancer

Researchers at NYU and USC have developed a synthetic molecule that targets the interaction between two proteins, preventing tumor growth. The approach presents a new frontier in cancer research, offering potential for the treatment of various human diseases.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2013

Cell transplants may be a novel treatment for schizophrenia

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio suggest that cell transplants could be a promising treatment for schizophrenia. By transplanting interneurons into the brain, they were able to restore normal function in rats with impaired dopamine systems, which are involved in cognition, movement, and emotions.

Ants turn unwelcome lodgers into a useful standing army

Researchers found that permanent parasites that are normally a social burden protect their hosts against greater evils. The guest ants rise to defend their hosts against mobile raiders, greatly decreasing the probability of a raid. This co-evolutionary process maintains lesser evils when it helps prevent greater harm.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2013

Insulin secretion disrupted by increased fatty acids

Researchers found that increased fatty acid levels suppress incretin-associated insulin release, highlighting the importance of β cell connectivity. Maintaining β cell connectivity may be a useful strategy for restoring glucose balance in type 2 diabetes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 9, 2013

Dingo wrongly blamed for extinctions

A University of Adelaide study finds that Aboriginal populations and climate change were more likely responsible for the extinction of Tasmanian tigers and devils on the mainland. The research used complex models to recreate the dynamic interaction between dingoes, climate, and human populations.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEcology·DateSep 9, 2013

All set for The EMBO Meeting 2013

The EMBO Meeting 2013 conference will feature keynote lectures by prominent scientists, including Kai Simons, Hans Clevers, Sir Michael Stratton, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel. The scientific programme will include sessions on stem cells, cancer genomics, optogenetics, and the search for life beyond Earth.

SourceEMBO·DateSep 9, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Sept. 9, 2013

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identify fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) as a predictive marker for poor overall survival in ovarian cancer patients. Overexpression of the gene encoding FGF18 was associated with enhanced tumor blood vessel formation and expression of cancer-promoting cytokines.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 9, 2013

New report finds no evidence that safety-net patients receive substandard primary care

A new study by George Washington University researchers finds no evidence that primary care physicians deliver less care to low-income and vulnerable patients. Despite critics' claims of substandard care, the study analyzed data from over 31,000 visits and found comparable care for all patients regardless of insurance status.

The new face of Medicaid: Incoming enrollees may be younger; more white men, smokers, drinkers

A new University of Michigan study reveals that incoming Medicaid enrollees may be younger, whiter, and healthier than current beneficiaries. These individuals are more likely to be smokers and heavy drinkers. Overall, the expansion could bring in a new, healthier group with different demographic characteristics.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 9, 2013

Closing in on risk factors for cerebral palsy and infant death

A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that birth defects and poor fetal growth are the most common risk factors for cerebral palsy and infant death. The research suggests that these risk factors, rather than asphyxial birth events, may contribute to the development of cerebral palsy and infant mortality.

Capturing brain activity with sculpted light

Scientists have developed a high-speed imaging technique with single-neuron resolution that can record the activity of 70% of nerve cells in a worm's head. This breakthrough allows for detailed maps of how neurons are wired up in the brain and information on how networks interact in real time.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 9, 2013

Commercial baby foods don't meet infants' weaning needs

A study found UK commercial baby foods lack essential nutrients, being predominantly sweet and similar in energy content to breast milk. They are often introduced too early, conflicting with government recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding until six months.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateSep 9, 2013

eButton health monitor gets a facelift

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new computational tool for the eButton health monitor, which can now extract food from images and estimate portion sizes with an average error of only 3.69%. The device uses a geometric-shape library to remove background images and measure volume by projecting and fitting sel...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalMeasurement Science and Technology·DateSep 9, 2013