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Science News Archive February 2014 - Page 13


Page 13 of 30

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

How evolution shapes the geometries of life

An interdisciplinary team proposes a thought-provoking answer to how plants and animals evolved different forms in response to the same mathematical and physical principles. By applying a famous mathematical formula, the team explains decades worth of real-world observations, revealing why plants and animals have similar energy efficie...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014