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Science News for January 28, 2014


Parenting plays key role when African-American boys move from preschool to kindergarten

A new study from UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute found that African American boys' academic and social performance in kindergarten is influenced by their parents' engagement in literacy activities and teaching. Effective parenting practices can help African American boys achieve academic success and positive socia...

SourceFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateJan 28, 2014

Study examines repeat colonoscopy in patients with polyps referred for surgery without biopsy-proven cancer

A new study reports that most colon polyps referred for surgery can be successfully resected endoscopically. The procedure had low adverse event rates and high recurrence rates, but recurrences were treatable. The findings suggest a shift towards outpatient repeat colonoscopy in patients with polyps without cancer.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJan 28, 2014

Malaria screening unsuccessful in some schools

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that a school-based intermittent screening and treatment program for malaria had no health or education benefits in rural coastal Kenya. Despite high participation rates, the program did not reduce anemia or improve class attendance scores among children. However, the authors suggest that school...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 28, 2014

Berkeley Lab research finds running may be better than walking for breast cancer survival

New research from Berkeley Lab and the National Runners' and Walkers' Health Study found that runners had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer mortality compared to walkers. Exceeding current exercise recommendations may provide greater protection, with runners experiencing a 40% reduction in risk per MET hour.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateJan 28, 2014

Converting adult human cells to hair-follicle-generating stem cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully converted adult human cells into epithelial stem cells that can regenerate human skin and hair follicles. The breakthrough could potentially enable hair regeneration in people, but further work is needed to address other cell types involved in hair growth.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Tropics are main source of global mammal diversity

A recent study reveals that the tropics are the main source of global mammal diversity, driven by higher speciation rates and lower extinction rates. The research, published in PLOS Biology, suggests that tropical regions have been a continuous source of biodiversity, allowing for repeated colonization of temperate regions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 28, 2014

Research into 'silent' adrenal tumors detected by CT scans provides much-needed guidance for clinical management

A new study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology assesses the progression of 'silent' adrenal tumours (adrenal incidentalomas) and their impact on cardiovascular events and death. The results show that some tumours became more active over time, increasing cardiovascular risk, especially in patients whose tumours secrete cortisol.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJan 28, 2014

H.M.'s brain yields new evidence

A 3D model of Henry Molaison's (H.M.) brain has been created, providing new insight into the neurological basis of his severe amnesia. The study reveals a small lesion in the left orbitofrontal cortex that was likely created during H.M.'s 1953 surgery, which may help scientists understand the consequences of similar operations today.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Measuring waist circumference would improve the detection of children and adolescents with cardiometabolic risk

A study published in PLOS ONE found that including waist circumference measurements in clinical practice can help identify children and adolescents at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In Spanish children aged 6-17, 21.3% have abdominal obesity, with traditional screening methods missing 70% of cases.

UH researchers create new flexible, transparent conductor

University of Houston researchers have developed a new stretchable and transparent electrical conductor that could bring bendable cell phones and foldable flat-screen TVs closer to reality. The gold nanomesh electrodes demonstrate good electrical conductivity, transparency, and flexibility, with potential applications for biomedical de...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Certain probiotics could help women lose weight

A recent study found that consuming certain probiotics from the Lactobacillus rhamnosus family can lead to significant weight loss in women, with an average loss of 4.4 kg over 12 weeks. The probiotics also helped maintain weight loss over a longer period and reduced appetite-regulating hormone leptin levels.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateJan 28, 2014

Agent Orange linked to skin cancer risk, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

A recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery suggests that Vietnam War veterans with prior exposure to Agent Orange may be at increased risk for non-melanoma invasive skin cancer. The study found that 51% of TCDD-exposed veterans developed NMISC, with those actively spraying Agent Orange having a rate of 73%.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJan 28, 2014

Resetting the metabolic clock

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara gained insight into factors affecting mammalian circadian oscillations, which could lend themselves to circadian regulation and pharmacological control. Their work suggests that high-amplitude circadian rhythms are associated with a lower risk of diseases like diabetes and obesity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2014