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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 55


Page 55 of 376

Study gives insight into breast cancer recurrence

Researchers have identified a key role for the FAK molecule in controlling breast cancer stem cell survival and predicting disease recurrence. Blocking FAK activity with a new drug significantly improved treatment outcomes, suggesting a potential method to predict which patients are most likely to experience recurrence.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalStem Cells·DateNov 5, 2014

Older men less likely to receive osteoporosis screening and treatment following a bone fracture

A study found that older men are three times less likely than women to undergo osteoporosis screening and treatment after a broken wrist. This disparity increases the risk of future bone breaks and related complications in men, who already have twice the mortality rate of women following a hip fracture.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateNov 5, 2014

Powerful imaging for point-of-care diagnostics

Researchers developed a compact probe that produces detailed images of blood vessels using ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging modalities. The system enables real-time imaging and can reveal important medical information, such as hemoglobin oxygen saturation, for monitoring tumor progression.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateNov 5, 2014

ADHD-air pollution link

Researchers found that prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) raised the odds of behavior problems associated with ADHD at age 9. Children born to mothers exposed to high levels of PAH during pregnancy had five times the odds of inattentive-type ADHD compared to those whose mothers did not have high PAH exposure.

Piglet brain atlas new tool in understanding human infant brain development

Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a new online tool to study postnatal brain growth in human infants based on similarities with the piglet brain. The tool, an MRI-based brain atlas for four-week-old piglets, offers a three-dimensional averaged brain and anatomical regions of interest.

Multicenter study: Hospital medical errors reduced 30 percent with improved patient handoffs

A multicenter study led by Boston Children's Hospital found that implementing the I-PASS bundle can reduce hospital medical errors by 30%, improving safety and quality of care. The study was conducted at nine medical centers, where healthcare providers used a standardized communication system to share patient information.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 5, 2014

Environmental toxins may be hurting North American eagles

Researchers found that bald and golden eagles in North America have dangerously high levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in their livers, with concentrations highest near urban areas. The study suggests a range of exposure to these toxic chemicals, with more research needed to understand trends and accumulation patterns.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology·DateNov 4, 2014

Future family and career goals evident in teenage years

Researchers found that teenagers who placed high importance on both work and family goals, as well as having confidence in achieving them, were more likely to report feeling successful in their careers and families later in life. These individuals also reached higher education levels than those with only family-oriented goals.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Vocational Behavior·DateNov 4, 2014

Where'd you get that great idea?

A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found that individuals who generate creative solutions tend to build on existing ideas rather than using unrelated concepts. The study, published in Design Studies, collected data from over 350 participants and showed that ideas closely related to a problem were more likely to be ...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalDesign Studies·DateNov 4, 2014

Better bomb-sniffing technology

Researchers have created a new material that can detect explosives and toxic gases in seconds, offering four advantages over current detectors: sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The breakthrough could lead to flexible solar panels and improved public safety.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 4, 2014

Nature adores a hybrid

A Concordia University study reveals that hybrid fish become genetically robust like their purely wild counterparts within a few generations, providing hope for conservation efforts. This finding has implications beyond fish, with similar conclusions drawn about wolf species previously exposed to hybridization.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateNov 4, 2014

Gardeners of Madagascar rainforest at risk

A new study by Rice University researchers reveals lemurs play a crucial role in dispersing seeds for trees, increasing survival rates. The findings highlight the importance of preserving lemur populations to maintain the health of Madagascar's rainforests.

SourceRice University·JournalEcology·DateNov 4, 2014

New research explores scent communication in polar bears

Polar bears use scent associated with their paws to convey information about their social status and reproductive readiness. The study suggests that climate change could disrupt this vital communication method, impacting the animals' ability to reproduce successfully.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateNov 4, 2014

EPA recognizes Virginia Tech postdoc's research on birds

A Virginia Tech graduate student has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fellowship to study the effects of mercury contamination on red-winged blackbird populations. Her research aims to investigate how stress hormones and disease are connected in birds, with potential implications for understanding avian malaria infections.

Framework may help improve use of social media during disasters

A new analysis identifies 15 distinct social media uses during disasters, including providing preparedness information and reconnecting community members. The proposed framework aims to standardize and organize disaster social media practices, potentially protecting lives and aiding recovery

SourceWiley·JournalDisasters·DateNov 4, 2014

Disorder + disorder = more disorder?

Researchers discovered a counterintuitive effect where structural disorder counters thermal disorder in certain systems, leading to lower overall disorder. The study focused on charged fluids and found that disordered charges interact strongly with mobile ions to oppose the effects of thermal disorder.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateNov 4, 2014