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Science News for February 18, 2014


Agricultural productivity loss as a result of soil and crop damage from flooding

The recent Ohio River flood of 2011 caused significant agricultural land damage, with approximately 1,000 acres flooded. However, due to the timing of the flood, cultivated soils were not severely impacted, resulting in minimal loss of soil productivity and yield reduction. The study highlights the need for reevaluation and implementat...

The secret of fertile sperm

A team of Bay Area researchers explores factors that differentiate fertile sperm from infertile sperm, identifying crucial proteins known as ion channels critical for sperm fertility. The discovery may lead to the development of new diagnostic testing and treatments for male infertility.

Frequent school moves can increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in early adolescence

Research shows that frequent school moves during childhood can increase the risk of psychotic-like symptoms in early adolescence by up to 60%. School mobility is strongly associated with mental health problems, including psychotic disorders and suicide. Schools should develop strategies to help students adapt to new environments.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 18, 2014

Workers, get up and move

A University of Iowa study reveals police work is primarily sedentary, with officers expending energy comparable to washing dishes or ironing. The findings highlight the need for workplaces to encourage movement and introduce low-cost aids like standing computer workstations.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateFeb 18, 2014

What cooperation and conflict in an insect's society can teach us about social acceptance

A new study by University of Miami biologist Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy explores the acceptance of non-related individuals in highly organized and adaptable societies. Young, unfamiliar individuals were accepted more frequently than old ones and those in late-stage colonies, suggesting that social context and immediate needs mediate accepta...

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateFeb 18, 2014

New drug candidate starves dormant cancer cells

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new drug candidate, VLX600, that selectively kills dormant cancer cells in solid tumors by starving them. The drug works by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration, causing the cells to die from starvation. A clinical study is planned to take place this year.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 18, 2014

Stimulating discussion over unnecessary medical tests, procedures: Choosing Wisely Canada

Choosing Wisely Canada aims to reduce harm by promoting evidence-based medical practices, encouraging patients and doctors to 'think twice' before ordering unnecessary tests and treatments. Eight Canadian societies will release their lists in April 2014, featuring evidence-based recommendations for common procedures.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 18, 2014

Controlling magnetism with an electric field

Scientists have developed a new method to control magnetism using an electric field, reducing heat generation and increasing memory density. This innovation has significant implications for the development of more efficient electronic devices, such as MRAM and logic chips.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 18, 2014

Baby hearts need rhythm to develop correctly

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that mechanical forces generated by the rhythmic expansion and contraction of cardiac muscle cells play an active role in the initial stage of heart valve formation. This study provides a new perspective on the process, shedding light on how to create artificial heart valves.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalBiomaterials·DateFeb 18, 2014

Food & moods

Researchers found that individuals in positive moods prefer healthy foods for long-term health benefits, while those in negative moods opt for indulgent foods for immediate mood management. The studies suggest that perspective on time plays a crucial role in food choice, with people in positive moods considering future health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateFeb 18, 2014

'Legal highs,' PMMA and zombie panic

A recent study published in Drug Science Policy and Law finds a significant rise in PMA/PMMA contamination in ecstasy pills from 2001 to 2007, resulting in deaths in both countries. The authors advocate for harm reduction strategies and education over criminalisation of new drugs.

SourceSAGE·JournalDrug Science Policy and Law·DateFeb 18, 2014

Molecular biology mystery unravelled

Researchers at the University of Bristol and EMBL have identified the 'holo-translocon' as the machinery responsible for inserting proteins into cell membranes. This breakthrough could lead to the design of new anti-bacterial drugs and applications in synthetic biology.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014

Evolution stuck in slime for a billion years

Researchers in Tasmania reveal ancient conditions that stifled evolution for a billion years, but then oxygen levels surged, triggering the 'Cambrian explosion of life'. The study uses a new technique to analyze ancient seafloor rocks, shedding light on the emergence of life and its impact on Earth.

SourceScience in Public·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 18, 2014

Probiotic treatment for vaginal thrush on the way

Researchers are testing probiotic pessaries containing 'good' bacteria against Candida infections. The study shows that a combination of two strains can kill or restrict growth of yeast cells, offering a viable alternative to precious antimicrobial drugs.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Applied Microbiology·DateFeb 18, 2014

'It takes a village' -- Community-based methods for improving maternal and newborn health

A series of studies published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health highlights the effectiveness of community-based interventions in improving maternal and newborn health in rural Ethiopia. The Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership initiative has reduced mortality rates by increasing demand for focused maternal and...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Midwifery & Women s Health·DateFeb 18, 2014

Bats inspire 'micro air vehicle' designs

Researchers at Virginia Tech used experimental measurements and analysis software to understand how fruit bats use their wings to manipulate airflow. They found that bat wings can generate forces up to two-to-three times greater than a static airfoil wing, making them ideal for designing micro air vehicles with flapping wings.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateFeb 18, 2014

More women receiving breast reconstruction after mastectomy, study finds

A study found that breast reconstruction rates have increased significantly since 1998, with a six-fold increase in bilateral mastectomies and three-quarters of women receiving reconstruction. However, radiation therapy is less likely to be followed by reconstruction, raising concerns about the impact on patient outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 18, 2014

Regenerating orthopedic tissues within the human body

Duke researchers have successfully used gene therapy to induce stem cells to produce growth factor proteins, overcoming the challenge of delivering these proteins after implantation. The technique allows for long-term delivery and could be applied to various orthopedic tissues, presenting a significant step toward commercialization.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014

Study points out inequalities in prescribing blood pressure meds

A study by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that young adults with hypertension are less likely to be prescribed antihypertensive medication, even when they have regular primary care visits. This delay can increase the risk of future cardiovascular events.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 18, 2014

A stretchable highway for light

A team of Belgian researchers successfully developed a stretchable optical interconnection that can be bent and stretched without losing its light-gathering ability. The new material consists of a transparent core surrounded by a lower refractive index layer, which traps light and causes it to propagate along its length.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 18, 2014

Can marijuana protect the immune system against HIV and slow disease progression?

Chronic THC administration has been shown to increase survival of T cell populations and reduce overall cell death in the gut of monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). This finding suggests that marijuana may have a protective effect against HIV-related inflammation and disease progression.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·DateFeb 18, 2014

Frequent flyers, bottle gourds crossed the ocean many times

A recent study reveals that bottle gourds originated from Africa and were likely domesticated multiple times in the New World. The research found that modern bottle gourd samples from the Americas matched African genetic profiles, supporting the idea that gourds floated across the Atlantic Ocean frequently.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014

Smartphone app aids college-age women in abusive relationships

The 'One Love My Plan' smartphone application provides college-age women in abusive relationships with personalized safety plans and confidential resources. The app, developed by University of Missouri researchers, aims to connect young women with existing services and provide immediate strategies for helping themselves or friends.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Technology in Human Services·DateFeb 18, 2014