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Science News for February 11, 2014


Change in guidelines for Type 2 diabetes screening may lead to under-diagnosis in children

A new study by the University of Michigan finds that pediatric providers are using less effective screening tests for type 2 diabetes in children, leading to potential missed diagnoses. The new American Diabetes Association guidelines have been criticized due to lower test performance and increased costs for non-fasting tests.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateFeb 11, 2014

Helical electron and nuclear spin order in quantum wires

Researchers from the University of Basel have observed spontaneous magnetic order of electron and nuclear spins in a quantum wire at temperatures of 0.1 kelvin, exceeding previous limits of microkelvin range. This new state of matter is stabilized by nuclear spin coupling and mutual interactions between electrons.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 11, 2014

What makes memories last?

Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a protein that is essential for creating and maintaining long-term memories. The protein, Orb2A, must be tightly regulated to form only in specific neural circuits, and its conversion into a prion-like state can be triggered by nerve cell stimulation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 11, 2014

Study: Resilience in parents of children undergoing stem cell transplant

A recent study published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation found that parents of children undergoing stem cell transplant experience increased distress during the procedure but recover to normal levels of adjustment. Parents demonstrate remarkable recovery despite facing significant life challenges.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalBiology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation·DateFeb 11, 2014

How to make the wonder material graphene superconducting

Scientists at the University of Vienna have unveiled the superconducting pairing mechanism in calcium-doped graphene using the Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) method. The findings reveal that calcium is the most promising candidate to induce superconductivity in graphene, with a critical temperature of about 1.5K.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2014

Males and females differ in specific brain structures

A recent meta-analysis of 20 years of neuroscience research reveals significant sex differences in brain structure, with males on average having larger total brain volumes and higher tissue densities in certain regions. Females, on the other hand, have higher density in the left frontal pole and larger volumes in other areas.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews·DateFeb 11, 2014

Child abuse rises with income inequality, study shows

A nationwide study by Cornell researchers found that child abuse and neglect are associated with income inequality, affecting 3.4 million children under 18 years old each year. The study also highlighted the long-term effects of childhood maltreatment, including increased rates of unemployment and substance use.

SourceCornell University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 11, 2014

Tech products can turn uncool when they become too popular

Research finds that tech products can turn uncool as they gain popularity, and companies need to continually innovate to maintain their appeal. Products with subculture appeal, originality, and attractiveness are considered cool, while utility is not a determining factor.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateFeb 11, 2014

Acidic tumor pH inhibits drug effect

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that acidic tumor pH counteracts chloroquine's ability to inhibit autophagy in cancer cells. The results may explain the lack of efficacy of chloroquine in clinical studies, particularly in tumors with low oxygen and acidic pH.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAutophagy·DateFeb 11, 2014

New way to measure electron pair interactions

Researchers at Max Planck Institute in Germany develop new way to measure electron pair emission directly on a standard lab bench using time-of-flight spectrometers. This breakthrough allows for the quantification of electron correlation strength, crucial for designing novel materials with desirable properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 11, 2014

UNC study reveals potential route to bladder cancer diagnostics, treatments

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that bladder cancer subtypes are genetically similar to breast cancer subtypes. The study revealed two distinct genetic subtypes of invasive bladder cancer, basal-like and luminal, which share genetic similarities with breast cancer subtypes.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2014

Nanoparticles treat muscular dystrophy in mice

Scientists at WashU Medicine have developed a new approach to treating muscular dystrophy, using nanoparticles loaded with rapamycin to improve recycling of cellular waste. The treatment showed significant improvements in skeletal muscle strength and cardiac function in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateFeb 11, 2014

Exercise may slow retinal degeneration

Researchers found that moderate aerobic exercise helps preserve retina structure and function after damage. Exercise was shown to have a direct effect on retinal health and vision, potentially leading to tailored exercise regimens or combination therapies for retinal degenerative diseases.

First 3-D movies of living sperm

Researchers have developed a new tracking system that takes 3-D movies of living sperm, providing detailed imaging and analyzing motility data. The method helps detect potential infertility-causing anomalies, such as bent tails, and may soon aid in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in selecting the most viable sperm cells.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateFeb 11, 2014

Is an earthquake behind the Shroud of Turin image?

Researchers propose that a 33 A.D. Old Jerusalem earthquake triggered neutron radiation, causing the Shroud's distinctive image and potentially leading to incorrect radiocarbon dating results. The theory is based on piezonuclear fission reactions and suggests that neutron emissions from earthquakes could have imprinted the image onto t...

SourceSpringer·JournalMeccanica·DateFeb 11, 2014

Could pizza herb prevent winter vomiting disease?

Researchers found that carvacrol can break down the outer coat of norovirus, making it more susceptible to other antimicrobials. This discovery could lead to the development of a new food sanitizer and surface sanitizer for settings where traditional bleach or alcohol-based cleaners are not effective.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Applied Microbiology·DateFeb 11, 2014

Study challenges a close link between recent weight gain and diabetes

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that type 2 diabetes may not be directly linked to substantial weight gain over time. Instead, researchers identified distinct patterns of obesity development, including stable overweight individuals and those who experience continuous weight gain before diagnosis. The findings highlig...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2014

A new postal code for cancer

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have discovered a new paradigm for targeting specific cell types using nanoparticles. They developed particles that can recognize endothelial cells through biophysical principles, allowing for precise delivery to cancer cells without changing biological addresses. This breakthrough has significa...

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2014

Smoking cessation may improve mental health

Researchers found that quitting smoking is associated with lower rates of mood/anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder. The study analyzed data from over 4,800 daily smokers and found significant improvements in mental health outcomes after quitting or reducing cigarette smoking.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2014

Man's best friend equally adapted to high altitudes of Tibet

A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that Tibetan Mastiffs have undergone genetic adaptations to survive at high altitudes. The research identified 16 genes involved in energy production critical for high-altitude survival, suggesting convergent evolution between dogs and humans.

No clowning around: Juggling sheds light on how we run

A study by Johns Hopkins engineers used juggling to investigate how vision and the sense of touch help control limb movement, shedding light on potential treatments for neurological diseases. Adding haptic feedback improved performance, but didn't correct errors, highlighting the brain's reliance on timing information.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Neurophysiology·DateFeb 11, 2014