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Science News for April 28, 2014


Adhesion molecule shows promise for treating colitis

Scientists have found that targeting adhesion molecule CD146 with anti-CD146 antibody AA98 shows promise in reducing inflammation and tumor incidence in mice with colitis. The study suggests that CD146 plays a dual role in promoting inflammation, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory bowel disease and preve...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 28, 2014

A glassy look for manganites

Scientists at Berkeley Lab discovered that the re-ordering of spin in manganites is not ultra-fast, but rather exhibits a glass-like state, with the restoration of crystalline order delayed. This separation of charge-ordering behavior from spin-ordering behavior may lead to new approaches for manipulating spin effects.

Studies presented at ACOG Annual Meeting reveal new information about weight and pregnancy

Two studies from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine show that patients are often unaware of proper weight gain during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of improved communication. Additionally, research on prenatal testing for morbidly obese women reveals no increased risk of complications or early delivery.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateApr 28, 2014

Wetlands likely to blame for greenhouse gas increases: Study

A new study by University of Guelph researcher Prof. Merritt Turetsky and her team found that wetlands are a significant source of methane emissions, which could contribute to global warming. The study analyzed almost 20,000 field data measurements from across arctic, temperate, and tropical regions and suggests that northern wetlands ...

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 28, 2014

NIH scientists establish monkey model of hantavirus disease

Researchers at NIH's NIAID have developed a monkey model of human hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, allowing them to study the disease's progression and potential treatments. The study found that the virus triggers a life-threatening immune response nearly two weeks after infection, providing a potential target for early diagnosis.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2014

'Let it go,' but not in the boardroom

Researchers found that individuals cooperated more with computer counterparts expressing positive emotions after cooperation and negative emotions after exploitation. This study highlights the importance of managing facial expressions in business interactions to achieve cooperation.

SourceUSC Marshall School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 28, 2014

Optimizing sweet potato production

A study by researchers from Mississippi State and Louisiana State Universities reveals that early planting and delaying harvest can increase yield and economic benefits for sweetpotato producers. The results showed that marketable yield of the sweetpotato cultivars was consistently greater in early plantings than late plantings.

A water test for the world

A team of McMaster researchers has developed a simple pill that can test water safety using a dissolving breath strip technology. The new method reduces the need for expensive lab equipment and shipping water to the lab, making it potentially life-saving for people in remote areas.

Prehistoric caribou hunting structure discovered beneath Lake Huron

A 9,000-year-old caribou hunting drive lane has been found beneath Lake Huron, revealing distinct seasonal approaches used by Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic caribou hunters. The complex structure, known as Drop 45 Drive Lane, features stone lanes and blinds that suggest a larger cooperating group of individuals was involved in the hunt.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2014

Flexible battery, no lithium required

Rice University researchers have created a thin-film battery that combines the best qualities of high-energy batteries and supercapacitors, retaining over 76% of its energy capacity after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. The flexible device has potential for wearable electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 28, 2014

Abuse jeopardizes new mothers' mental health

A Simon Fraser University study has linked intimate partner abuse to postpartum mental health problems in new mothers. The research found that 61% of women experienced mental health symptoms and that different types of abuse were associated with varying levels of postpartum mental health issues.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·DateApr 28, 2014

Fluorescent-based tool reveals how medical nanoparticles biodegrade in real time

Researchers developed a method to measure nanoparticle degradation in real time using Förster resonance energy transfer, enabling undistorted measurements without separating particles from their environment. This can inform the design of safer and more effective nanoparticles for various medical applications.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2014

The scent of a man

An international team of pain researchers found that male experimenters' scent, caused by pheromones secreted from armpits, can produce a stress response in mice and rats, making them less sensitive to pain. This discovery may contribute to the reliability of rodent research studies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 28, 2014

Whitefly confused by cacophony of smells

Biologists at Newcastle University use 'confusion effect' to temporarily disorient whiteflies, reducing their ability to feed on tomato plants. The study suggests a potential new method for sustainable pest control, using harmless plant volatiles to give plants time to defend themselves.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalAgronomy for Sustainable Development·DateApr 28, 2014