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Science News for December 5, 2014


Malnutrition is predictor of long-term survival in patients undergoing Whipple procedure

A new study finds that malnutrition is an independent predictor of long-term survival in geriatric patients undergoing the Whipple procedure. Geriatric patients with preoperative severe nutritional risk had significantly decreased long-term survival, while those without SNR had a seven-year survival rate of 84 percent.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 5, 2014

Ku Klux Klan's lasting legacy on the US political system

A recent study by Brandeis University researchers found that KKK activity in the 1960s shifted voters' allegiance from Democratic to Republican in the South, a trend still evident today. The study suggests that racial attitudes and social movements can have lasting effects on politics, contributing to polarization.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateDec 5, 2014

Utah study: Mindfulness intervention boosts brain activation for healthy pleasures

A new study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) increases brain activation to natural healthy pleasures, reducing opioid cravings. Participants who received eight weeks of MORE instruction exhibited increased brain activity in response to enjoyable experiences.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine·DateDec 5, 2014

Don't worry, be happy; just go to bed earlier

Researchers at Binghamton University found that individuals who sleep for shorter periods and go to bed later experience more repetitive negative thoughts. The study suggests that improving sleep timing may be an effective intervention for reducing symptoms of internalizing disorders.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalCognitive Therapy and Research·DateDec 5, 2014

Give flawed payments database time to improve

The new federal Open Payments Program database is incomplete, with issues including limited data, vetting, de-identification, and context. Despite these flaws, experts like Dr. Eli Y. Adashi urge patience, as improvements are underway and the site's potential for transparency and oversight is still significant.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA·DateDec 5, 2014

Chemicals released during natural gas extraction may harm reproduction and development

A recent review of over 150 peer-reviewed studies suggests that exposure to chemicals released during natural gas extraction operations may be harmful to human health, particularly reproductive and developmental health. The review found evidence of adverse effects on fertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and semen quality in humans.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalReviews on Environmental Health·DateDec 5, 2014

Salience network is linked to brain disorders

The insula is essential for selecting salient stimuli, and dysfunction can lead to deficits in attention, social, and cognitive processes. Mapping the structure and function of the insular cortex may provide targeted treatments for developmental and degenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·DateDec 5, 2014

Stick out your tongue

A neural network-based system combines symptom descriptions with digital tongue images for diagnosis, identifying signs of illness such as discoloration and texture changes. The system can detect a range of conditions including common colds, flu, and digestive issues, with potential expansion to include eye images.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateDec 5, 2014

Social networking during a campus emergency

Researchers argue that social networking sites can be used to provide timely updates and guidance during emergency situations on campus. The study suggests that these platforms could complement existing emergency notification systems, providing a cost-effective way to reach students and staff.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Information Systems·DateDec 5, 2014

Even the perceived risk of disease prompts intention to act

A nationwide survey of American adults reveals that healthy individuals react strongly to hypothetical genetic risk information, wanting to take various actions such as seeking information and managing risk. The study's findings suggest that the experience of living between health and disease is not limited to those already patients.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateDec 5, 2014

Cerebral oxygenation in elite Kenyan athletes

A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology reveals that elite Kenyan runners maintain stable cerebral oxygenation during maximum physical effort, contributing to their success in long-distance races. This stable oxygenation is linked to early lifestyle factors such as prenatal exposure to high altitudes and regular c...

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateDec 5, 2014

Promising compound rapidly eliminates malaria parasite

A promising anti-malarial compound, (+)-SJ733, has been identified that rapidly destroys malaria-infected red blood cells by recruiting the immune system. The compound's mechanism of action is expected to slow and suppress development of drug-resistant parasites, making it a potential addition to global malaria eradication efforts.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2014