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Science News Archive April 2014 - Page 29


Page 29 of 32

Calcium waves help the roots tell the shoots

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that calcium waves can transmit information in plant cells, allowing them to respond quickly to environmental stressors. The team found that these waves are involved in processing information and sending rapid signals to help plants adapt to changing conditions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 3, 2014

Between accident and real harm in child injuries

A research team developed a force sensing skin that can identify potential bruising locations on a child surrogate to differentiate between accidental trauma and child abuse. The system provides a roadmap documenting a child's exposure to impact, critical for forensic analysis.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateApr 3, 2014

Synergy of high protein intake and exercise in youth enhances bone structure and strength

A study of 176 pre-pubertal boys found that high levels of protein intake combined with rigorous physical activity led to increased bone mineral content and density. This synergy between high protein intake and exercise was shown to positively impact bone structure and strength, even from pre-puberty through mid-late adolescence.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateApr 3, 2014

A new approach to detecting changes in GM foods

Researchers extracted biochemicals from genetically modified tomatoes and compared them to non-GM varieties. The study found no significant differences overall, but did identify a difference related to fruit ripening. This approach has potential for use in breeding programs and addressing consumer concerns about GM foods.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalThe Plant Genome·DateApr 3, 2014

Researchers manipulate tiny objects with ultrasound

A team of researchers from China's State Key Lab of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures introduced innovative strategies for ultrasonic manipulation by employing various acoustic streaming fields. This enables the diversification of manipulation functions and samples, widening the application range of the technique.

Report documents cardiopulmonary arrest in premature infant after cyclomydril eyedrops

A case report documents a 27-week-old premature infant's cardiopulmonary arrest after receiving Cyclomydril eyedrops during retinopathy of prematurity screening. Pediatric ophthalmologists should be equipped to handle such emergencies, as the eyedrops can cause serious side effects due to systemic absorption.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus·DateApr 3, 2014

Study shows more than half of high-risk alcohol users report improvement after surgery

A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests that upwards of half of high-risk drinkers experience improved behavior post-weight loss surgery. Seven percent of patients who did not show signs of high-risk drinking at baseline later developed the condition, highlighting the need for better screening and monitoring.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases·DateApr 3, 2014

Quantum cryptography for mobile phones

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a scheme to enable quantum cryptography on mobile phones, using photons as information carriers. This breakthrough technology has the potential to make secure communication available to the general public.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 3, 2014

New Global CVD Atlas shows wealthy countries gradually reducing their burden of heart disease and stroke while developing countries have more mixed performance

A new Global Cardiovascular Disease Atlas shows that wealthy countries are reducing their burden of heart disease and stroke, while developing countries are experiencing mixed performance. The atlas uses disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to measure the burden of CVD in each region and country.

SourceWorld Heart Federation·JournalGlobal Heart·DateApr 3, 2014

Dopamine and hippocampus

Researchers at Douglas Mental Health University Institute have discovered that dopamine is present in the hippocampus and plays a key role in this region. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to improve symptoms.

SourceDouglas Mental Health University Institute·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 3, 2014

Fences cause 'ecological meltdown'

Fencing for wildlife conservation has costs, including the loss of predators and other species, which can lead to further local extinctions. Alternative approaches, such as improved animal husbandry and community-based crop-guarding, can be more effective in mitigating human-wildlife conflict.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalScience·DateApr 3, 2014

Synthetic biology lab backed by £2 million award

The University of Liverpool has been awarded £2M for a state-of-the-art DNA synthesis facility, GeneMill, to support genome engineering in academia and industry. The lab will provide rapid, cost-effective, and accessible fabrication facilities for DNA parts, enabling researchers to focus on designing and testing re-engineered organisms.

Nanoparticles cause cancer cells to self-destruct

Researchers at Lund University have developed a technique using magnetically controlled nanoparticles to selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This method has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by reducing side effects associated with traditional therapies.

SourceLund University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 3, 2014

Gastro outbreaks hit elderly hardest

Frail elderly people living in residential care facilities are at increased risk of severe illness or death from viral gastroenteritis. Prompt notification of outbreaks to public health units led to a shorter outbreak duration.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateApr 2, 2014

Killing a name of an extinct sea cow species

A recent study by Manja Voss challenged the validity of the extinct sea cow species Halitherium schinzii, citing a single tooth as insufficient evidence. The proposed rejection of this specific terminus aims to better handle the known diversity of the sirenian order.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZoosystematics and Evolution·DateApr 2, 2014

Good diet boosts health but not wealth

A healthy diet may improve health outcomes in older adults, reducing hospital stays, but increases spending on outpatient services and preventive care. The study highlights the need for nutrition policies that address socioeconomic disparities.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateApr 2, 2014

Research method integrates meditation, science

A team of Brown University researchers have developed a methodology to integrate mindfulness experiences with brain imaging, allowing for the formation of testable hypotheses about the science and mental health benefits of meditation. By employing structured coding of self-reported personal experience, they can correlate mental states ...

Men who started smoking before age 11 had fatter sons

Research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol found that men who started smoking before age 11 had sons with significantly higher body fat content compared to those who started smoking later. This study suggests a potential transgenerational effect of tobacco exposure on metabolic changes in the next generation.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEuropean Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 2, 2014

Positive, negative thinkers' brains revealed

The study found that positive thinkers had less brain activity during a task where they were asked to put a positive spin on graphic images, while worriers showed increased activity. This suggests that positive thinking may be harderwired in the brain and could have implications for how negative thinkers approach difficult situations.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateApr 2, 2014