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Science News Archive July 2014 - Page 18


Page 18 of 34

Poor sleep quality linked to lower physical activity in people with PTSD

A new study reveals that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who experience poor sleep quality are more likely to exhibit lower physical activity. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, suggests a potential behavioral pathway from disturbed sleep to negative health outcomes such as obesity.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJul 16, 2014

Research connects pregnancy loss and cardiovascular disease

A recent study analyzing data from 77,701 women found that those who experienced a history of miscarriage or stillbirth had a higher risk of coronary heart disease later in adulthood. Women with two or more miscarriages were found to have an odds ratio of 1.18 for coronary heart disease compared to those with no miscarriages.

SourceCare New England·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 16, 2014

Live kidney donors face 'pointless' insurance troubles

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that healthy living kidney donors often face pointless insurance hurdles after donation. Despite being heavily screened before approval, these donors are frequently denied or charged higher premiums for life insurance, highlighting the need for better support systems.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJul 16, 2014

No-wait data centers

A new network-management system, Fastpass, can reduce average queue length of routers in a Facebook data center by 99.6 percent and shrink latency nearly as much. By using a central server called an arbiter, the system efficiently assigns transmission times to nodes in the network.

Improving tumor radiation therapy: When basic ions break DNA down

Scientists have discovered new fragmentation pathways that occur universally when DNA strands are exposed to metal ions, leading to the creation of charged intermediates. This finding could contribute to optimizing cancerous tumour therapy by improving understanding of how radiation interacts with complex DNA structures.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 16, 2014

Study: Smoking may contribute to suicide risk

A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that cigarette smokers are more likely to commit suicide than non-smokers. Implementing higher taxes on cigarettes and stricter smoking policies led to a 15% decline in suicide rates relative to the national average.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJul 16, 2014

Borneo deforested 30 percent over past 40 years

Forest cover in Borneo declined by up to 30% between 1973 and 2010, with logging and fire contributing to the loss. The study analyzed LANDSAT satellite images to understand long-term forest change patterns, aiming to aid conservation planning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 2014

New view of Rainier's volcanic plumbing

Scientists have created a detailed picture of Mount Rainier's deep volcanic plumbing, revealing a partly molten rock reservoir approximately 30 percent molten. The study used both seismic imaging and magnetotelluric measurements to capture the melting process that feeds magma into the crustal reservoir.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 2014

NIH scientists identify gene linked to fatal inflammatory disease in children

Researchers have identified a gene linked to STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI), a devastating autoinflammatory condition. Repurposed drugs, such as tofacitinib and ruxolitinib, show therapeutic potential in laboratory studies and are currently being studied in children with the disease.

Efficient structures help build a sustainable future

The study reveals that steel cable structures have a significantly lower environmental impact, with 29% less mass and 65.1% less embodied energy than traditional truss systems. This finding highlights the importance of material selection in reducing construction's environmental damage.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Architectural Engineering·DateJul 16, 2014

Recommendations prioritize strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia

The new document highlights basic prevention strategies for adult patients, including avoiding intubation and minimizing sedation. For pediatric and neonatal patients, the guidance emphasizes regular oral care and elevating the head of the bed to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJul 16, 2014

Tooth plaque provides insight into our prehistoric ancestors' diet

A new study reveals that prehistoric humans consumed purple nut sedge for at least 7,000 years, demonstrating their understanding of nutritional and medicinal properties. The analysis of dental calculus from ancient human teeth found evidence of cooking, plant processing, and the use of this plant as a food source.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 2014