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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 39


Page 39 of 376

Shift in gut bacteria observed in fiber supplement study may offer good news for weight loss

A new study from the University of Illinois shows that two specific functional fibers may assist in weight loss when made part of a long-term diet. The researchers observed a shift in the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio toward more Bacteroidetes, which has been linked to being leaner, and found modifications in nutrient metabolism.

Using science to open way to 'blue economy'

A new integrated coastal zone management plan has been developed for Belize using novel tools to calculate risk of habitat degradation. The plan reduces high-risk areas by 20% and triples space for coastal development, while allowing for sustainable aquaculture and oil exploration limits.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2014

High earthquake danger in Tianjin, China

Researchers reconstructed the spatial pattern of major earthquakes along the Tangshan-Hejian-Cixian fault in Tianjin, revealing a 160-km seismic gap that has not been ruptured for over 8,400 years. This gap may be the next to rupture, generating a devastating earthquake similar to the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateNov 18, 2014

Seniors draw on extra brainpower for shopping

A new Duke University study finds that older adults recruit an additional brain area to remember competing consumer products and choose the better one. The study suggests that this brain activity, involving the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, allows them to perform at a higher level.

House fly sex may reveal one key to controlling them

The house fly genome project has uncovered genes responsible for male traits that evolve exceptionally fast and are gained and lost from the genome at a high rate. These findings hold promise for developing pest control strategies that do not rely on chemical pesticides, by targeting sex determination systems.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 18, 2014

Benefits of whistleblower programs outweigh costs

A new study finds that whistleblower involvement leads to greater penalties and enforcement, resulting in a $21.27 billion increase in penalties over 35 years. This research supports the increase of whistleblower incentive programs, as policymakers push for more rewards without considering economic benefits.

SourceAmerican University·JournalSocial Science Research·DateNov 18, 2014

Peanut in household dust linked to peanut allergies, especially for children with eczema

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found a strong link between peanut exposure in household dust and the development of peanut allergies, particularly among children with eczema. The research suggests that exposure to peanut proteins through impaired skin barriers may trigger allergic reactions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 18, 2014

Premature infants benefit from early sodium supplementation according to new research

A recent study published in JPEN found that premature infants who received sodium supplementation gained weight faster, had lower rates of hyponatremia, and no increased risk of prematurity-related morbidities. The researchers recommend further studies to determine the optimal dose and duration of sodium therapy.

SourceAmerican Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)·JournalJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·DateNov 18, 2014

Finding new ways to make drugs

Chemists developed a new way to manufacture natural chemicals by clipping smaller molecules together, enabling the efficient assembly of scarce anti-inflammatory drugs like pseudopterosin. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper ways to produce rare drugs in large quantities.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 18, 2014

Paramecia need Newton for navigation

Research by Brown University scientists found that paramecia's buoyancy affects their ability to navigate flat surfaces. Under normal conditions, they use their sensory systems to turn and swim away, but with altered buoyancy, they get stuck at an angle, unable to complete the turn.

SourceBrown University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2014

Virulent bacteria affecting oysters found to be a case of mistaken identity

A recent report reveals that Vibrio coralliilyticus is not only more widespread and deadly than previously believed but also infects various fish, shellfish, and oysters, including rainbow trout and larval brine shrimp. Researchers have developed a rapid diagnostic assay for this bacteria to assess problems in oyster and coral health.

SourceOregon State University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 18, 2014

New protocol for imaging patients with Ebola

A new protocol for imaging Ebola patients has been developed to minimize risk of exposure, using portable computed radiography and thorough decontamination procedures. The step-by-step guide is published in the American Journal of Roentgenology and aims to improve physicians' ability to rapidly evaluate suspected cases.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateNov 18, 2014