Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2014 - Page 8


Page 8 of 28

Researchers developing new approach for imaging dense breasts for abnormalities

Researchers have made refinements to a technique combining MRI and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to improve image quality and accuracy in detecting breast cancer. The new design allows for increased coverage of the chest, providing improved visibility for 'hard-to-see' areas, and has shown promising results in clinical trials.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalAcademic Radiology·DateJan 24, 2014

Digging Into Data award winner

Barton's team will develop interconnected, web-based analysis and visualization tools to discern complex relationships among societies and their environments. The project aims to create new insights into socio-ecological systems and make them accessible to the general public, policymakers, and stakeholders.

Do doctors spend too much time looking at computer screen?

A study by Northwestern University found that doctors who use electronic health records in the exam room spend about a third of their visits looking at computers, leading to missed nonverbal cues. The study suggests that interactive screen sharing could improve doctor-patient interaction and contribute to better-designed technology.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics·DateJan 24, 2014

Infections damage our ability to form spatial memories

Increased inflammation after infections impairs brain's ability to form spatial memories by disrupting neural circuits involved in learning and memory. The study used PET scans to measure effects of inflammation on glucose consumption in the brain, revealing a decrease in glucose metabolism in the Medial Temporal Lobe.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2014

2-way street

Scientists at King's College London argue that biobank donors should have unrestricted access to data derived from their own material. This move aims to increase reciprocity and partnership between donors and researchers, recognizing the donor's agency in decision-making processes.

SourceKing's College London·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2014

The evolution of drug resistance within a HIV population

A study in PLOS Genetics found that HIV drug resistance mutations can spread rapidly within a patient, leading to a homogeneous or heterogeneous viral population. The researchers estimate the effective population size of HIV to be around 150,000, which may help inform treatment strategies and predict resistance evolution.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 23, 2014

Can walkies tell who's the leader of the pack?

Researchers tracked six dogs and their owner on group walks to measure social behavior and determine personalities. Dogs that consistently took the lead were more responsive to training, older, and more aggressive than those that followed.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 23, 2014

Choose your love

Researchers found that females who mated with preferred males produced more offspring and were better able to cope with infection from Salmonella compared to offspring sired by non-preferred males. The fitness benefits were due to tolerance to infection rather than immune resistance.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateJan 23, 2014

Tracing unique cells with mathematics

Scientists have created a new statistical method to analyze individual cells, allowing for more accurate detection of cell properties. By combining data from multiple cells, researchers can reduce errors and overcome statistical noise, leading to better understanding of cellular behavior and development.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2014

Probing hydrogen catalyst assembly

The study demonstrates how cyanide and carbon monoxide are safely bound to an iron atom to construct an enzyme that can generate hydrogen gas. This discovery sheds light on the unusual chemistry involved in binding small molecules to metal atoms, a crucial step towards producing hydrogen using abundant metals.

Diabetes: We are in it together

A recent study published in BMC Medicine has found that living in a household with a spouse who has type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing the condition. The research team analyzed data from six studies and found that spousal diabetes was associated with a 26% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJan 23, 2014

Sickle cell trait in African-American dialysis patients affects dosing of anemia drugs

Studies found that African-American hemodialysis patients with sickle cell trait received about 13% more anemia medications than those without the trait to achieve the same level of hemoglobin. The presence of sickle cell trait was also more common among dialysis patients, affecting approximately 10% of study participants.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 23, 2014

The $125 billion question: How will the ACA affect cancer survivors?

Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center are studying how the ACA affects cancer screening in low-income women and employed married women with breast cancer. The study found that Medicaid expansions increased breast and cervical cancer screening, particularly among low-income women, suggesting a positive effect of near-universal coverag...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of Health Economics·DateJan 23, 2014

Sports medicine physical of the future could help athletes 'ESCAPE' sudden cardiac death

A new focused ultrasound exam has been shown to accurately identify athletes with undetected cardiovascular conditions, reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death. The Early Screening for Cardiovascular Abnormalities With Preparticipation Echocardiography (ESCAPE) protocol could become the sports medicine physical of the future.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine·DateJan 23, 2014

The rocky road to a better flu vaccine

Researchers found that a new adjuvant improved flu vaccine effectiveness in mice and showed promise for the elderly. The study also highlighted the importance of characterizing immune responses following intra-nasal vaccinations, particularly with novel adjuvants.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 23, 2014

Patients receiving ADT should be counseled to improve mental and emotional well-being

A new study published in the Journal of Urology reports that prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) experienced changes in mental and emotional well-being during treatment, with no significant decline in emotional quality of life two years after treatment. Investigators recommend counseling men about p...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateJan 23, 2014

Mitochondrial ribosome revealed

Researchers at ETH Zurich deciphered the structure of the large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome, a complex enzyme that deciphers genetic code and assembles amino acids into proteins. The study's success relies on a combination of high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and chemical cross-linking combined with mass spectrometry.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2014