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Science News Archive February 2014 - Page 17


Page 17 of 30

Graphene's love affair with water

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that graphene can be used to create ultrafast filters for liquid water, with an astonishingly accurate mesh that allows precise separation of atomic species. The filters also exhibit 'ion sponging' properties, sucking up small ions and concentrating them internally.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2014

How memory and schizophrenia are connected

A study published in Neuron reveals a connection between genes controlling neuronal excitability and working memory, psychiatric disease, and brain activity. The researchers identified a network of genes that plays a crucial role in human brain function, highlighting the importance of understanding its dysfunction in schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 13, 2014

A new target for cancer and diabetes: A novel role for the adaptor protein p66shc in regulating glucose metabolism

Researchers have identified a novel role for the adaptor protein p66shc in regulating glucose metabolism, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer and diabetes. Silencing p66shc enhances glucose metabolism and cell growth, indicating it may act as an energy sensor that responds to nutrient availability.

SourceLunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute·JournalScience Signaling·DateFeb 13, 2014

Mental health patients up to 4 times more likely to be infected with HIV, Penn study finds

A new Penn Medicine study found that mental health patients are up to four times more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population. Researchers tested over 1,000 patients in care and detected several new HIV cases, highlighting the need for routine testing in mental health settings.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 13, 2014

Intensive dialysis in pregnant women with kidney failure benefits mother and baby

A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that intensive dialysis treatments in pregnant women with kidney failure lead to higher live birth rates, with fewer complications. Infants born to these mothers tend to be healthier at birth when their mothers receive more frequent and longer dialysis sessions.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 13, 2014

Treating stroke with IV magnesium within an hour of symptoms fails to improve outcomes

A study found that giving stroke patients intravenous magnesium within an hour of symptom onset does not improve stroke outcomes, while working with paramedics can increase the chances of administering potentially brain-saving drugs in time. The researchers plan to continue searching for new treatments and are grateful for the collabor...

Discovery may help to explain mystery of 'missing' genetic risk

A new study in PLOS Genetics finds common genetic variants may indicate the presence of influential rare mutations that have yet to be discovered. This 'synthetic association' sheds light on the genetic make-up's large influence on cancer risk, highlighting the importance of identifying causal genetic changes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 13, 2014

Researchers find breast cancer drug in bodybuilding supplement

A study found tamoxifen, a breast cancer treatment, in three out of four samples of the bodybuilding supplement Esto Suppress. The product label suggested a dosage that may provide enough to treat gynaecomastia. Off-the-shelf supplements have been known to contain pharmacologically active substances, posing risks to users.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 13, 2014

Muscle loss ups mortality and sepsis risk in liver transplant candidates

A Japanese study found that sarcopenia, a loss of skeletal muscle mass, increases the risk of sepsis and mortality in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation. Early nutritional support with enteral nutrition reduced sepsis rates in these patients. Treating malnutrition may reduce mortality risk following transplantation.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateFeb 13, 2014

Could restless sleep cause widespread pain in older folks?

Researchers found that non-restorative sleep is a strong predictor of widespread pain onset among adults over 50. Anxiety and poor physical health also increase the risk of developing widespread pain. The study suggests combined interventions for both site-specific and widespread pain are needed for older adults.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateFeb 13, 2014