Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 7, 2014


Rebar technique strengthens case for graphene

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new hybrid material by combining carbon nanotubes with graphene, resulting in improved electrical and mechanical properties. The 'rebar graphene' technique enables large, flexible, conductive sheets of graphene to be manipulated more easily, making it a potential replacement for indium ti...

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 7, 2014

Movies synchronize brains

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method to observe immediate changes in brain function during movie viewing. The study found similar brain signals in individuals watching the same movie, suggesting that the contents of the film affected certain brain functions in a similar manner.

SourceAalto University·JournalNeuroImage·DateApr 7, 2014

Green tea boosts your brain

Researchers found that green tea extract increases brain connectivity and improves working memory performance. The study suggests potential clinical applications for treating cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders like dementia.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateApr 7, 2014

New ammunition in the fight against type 2 diabetes

A new study by Monash University has shown that gastric banding can lead to remission of diabetes in people who are overweight but not obese. The research, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, found that weight loss surgery significantly improved the condition in over half of participants.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateApr 7, 2014

Slowdown of global warming fleeting

Researchers at Penn State have redefined the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), finding that its true signal was likely in a cooling phase in recent decades. This shift may have offset some of the anthropogenic warming, resulting in a temporary slowdown in global warming.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 7, 2014

Drink milk? Women who do may delay knee osteoarthritis

New research suggests that women who frequently consume fat-free or low-fat milk may reduce the progression of knee osteoarthritis. The study found that joint space width decreased by 0.38mm, 0.29mm, and 0.26mm in women with increasing milk intake.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateApr 7, 2014

Viewpoint offers details of BRAIN Initiative

The BRAIN Initiative aims to map all cell types in the brain, develop methods for large-scale recordings of neuronal activity, and advance computational methods to understand patterned neural activity. The ultimate goal is to shed light on disease processes and suggest new therapeutic approaches.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 7, 2014

Beans, peas, lentils can significantly reduce 'bad cholesterol' and risk of heart disease

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that eating just 1 serving of legumes daily can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol by 5%. This reduction may lead to a 5% lower risk of major vascular events. The authors suggest that increasing pulse intake is a reasonable and beneficial dietary change.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 7, 2014

Energizing sick mitochondria with vitamin B3

Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that vitamin B3 form, nicotinamide riboside, can delay the signs of mitochondrial myopathy in animal models. The treatment increased mitochondrial mass and function, curing structural abnormalities and providing a potential therapeutic approach for adult-onset mitochondrial muscle diseases.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateApr 7, 2014

Antibiotic resistance enzyme caught in the act

Scientists have discovered the atomic-scale mechanism of action for NpmA, an enzyme that imparts chemical changes to bacterial ribosomes, making them resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics. This finding poses a significant threat to public health, but also reveals potential targets for developing new drugs.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2014

Access to primary care appointments varies by insurance status

Researchers found that individuals with private insurance were more likely to secure a new-patient appointment with a primary care physician compared to those with Medicaid or no insurance. The study suggests that the primary care system may struggle to handle increased demand from ACA coverage expansions, highlighting the need for pol...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 7, 2014

Educational interventions at Early Head Start led to decline in pediatric emergency visits

Researchers found that integrating URI education into Early Head Start programs led to a decline in pediatric emergency visits and adverse care practices among predominantly Latino families. The intervention showed promise in addressing health literacy gaps, with significant reductions in over-the-counter medication misuse.

Doctor's specialty predicts feeding tube use

A new study by Brown University researchers found that hospital attending physicians' specialties are linked to the likelihood of patients receiving gastric feeding tubes, which is not recommended for frail, terminal patients. The study analyzed tens of thousands of cases over a decade and found that patients cared for by primary care ...

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateApr 7, 2014

Scientists uncover startlingly new functional details of common anti-diabetic drugs

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a new binding site on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARG) that could lead to improved insulin-sensitizing drugs. This alternative site may provide clues to the adverse effects of existing anti-diabetic medications, such as bone loss and congestive heart failure.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 7, 2014

New light shed on key bacterial immune system

Bacteria have been found to possess a surprisingly flexible immune system that can recognize and neutralize viruses and other foreign DNA invaders. This adaptive immunity, termed CRISPR-Cas, allows bacteria to store genetic memories of past infections and respond quickly to future exposures.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2014

Longer catch-and-release time leaves largemouth bass nests more vulnerable to predators

A study found that catch-and-release angling creates a window of opportunity for brood predators to consume young largemouth bass. After being caught and released, the male takes an average of 30 minutes to return to its nest, allowing predators to quickly exploit the vulnerability.

Health benefits of 'green exercise' for kids shown in new study

Children who engage in 'green exercise' while cycling experience lower post-activity blood pressure compared to those without visual stimulus. The study suggests that nature scenes promote positive health effects, potentially encouraging public health practitioners to prescribe outdoor exercise.

SourceCoventry University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 7, 2014

Caffeine against Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have found that caffeine can positively affect tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease, improving spatial memory and reducing pathogenic processes in genetically altered mice. The study suggests a new class of drugs may be developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using an A2A antagonist.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateApr 7, 2014

Experience helps restaurant managers stick with local foods

A study found that restaurant chefs and food purchasing managers prefer buying local foods with quick response times, accurate labeling, and training staff on local food handling. This was revealed in a Penn State research project investigating management's attitudes toward purchasing locally grown foods.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·DateApr 7, 2014

Switching off anxiety with light

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have created a novel method for controlling serotonin receptors using light, which could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety disorders. By utilizing optogenetic tools, the scientists were able to modulate mouse emotional behavior and reduce anxiety-like behaviors.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNeuron·DateApr 7, 2014