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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 27


Page 27 of 34

Pre-term birth and asthma

Research reveals that preterm birth increases the risk of asthma and wheezing disorders, with a 70% higher risk among preterm babies compared to full-term infants. Children born before 32 weeks gestation face approximately three times the risk.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 7, 2014

Cells appearing normal may actually be harbingers of lung cancer

Researchers identified cancer markers and a previously unknown gene role in airways of smokers with lung cancer, suggesting earlier detection and treatment strategies. The study found that normal-appearing tissue near tumors has tumor-associated molecular abnormalities, potentially aiding in diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 7, 2014

Service is key to winery sales

Researchers found that customer service is key to boosting tasting room sales, with staff expertise and ambience creating a more intimate experience. The study also discovered that sensory descriptions of wine flavors can be off-putting for consumers, especially tourists.

SourceCornell University·JournalInternational Journal of Wine Business Research·DateMar 7, 2014

Interactive simulator for vehicle drivers

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM developed an interactive driving simulator to analyze realistic human-vehicle interaction. The facility features a real vehicle interior, robotic system, and motion cueing algorithms to match visual input with driver behavior.

Anti-psychotic medications offer new hope in the battle against glioblastoma

Researchers have discovered that FDA-approved anti-psychotic drugs possess tumor-killing activity against glioblastoma. The finding is based on shRNA technology that identifies genes required for glioblastoma growth and reveals surprising links to dopamine regulation, a crucial component in treating Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateMar 7, 2014

Notre Dame chemists discover new class of antibiotics

A team of researchers from Notre Dame has discovered a new class of oxadiazole antibiotics effective against MRSA and other drug-resistant bacteria, offering a promising treatment option. The discovery is based on the inhibition of penicillin-binding proteins and shows promise in mouse models of infection.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 7, 2014

Emerging multi-drug resistant infections lack standard definition and treatment

Researchers found significant variations in definitions and isolation procedures for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria across hospitals. The inconsistent detection and treatment practices may hinder communication between healthcare centers, contributing to the spread of these deadly pathogens.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMar 7, 2014

Smartphones become 'eye-phones' with low-cost devices developed by Stanford

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed two inexpensive adapters that allow smartphones to capture high-quality images of the front and back of the eye. The adapters make it easy for anyone with minimal training to take a picture of the eye and share it securely with other health practitioners or store it i...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Mobile Technology in Medicine·DateMar 7, 2014

New guidelines employ a team approach to autism diagnosis and care

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has revised key parameters for evaluating and treating autism, emphasizing early diagnosis and a team approach to care. Researchers led by Fred Volkmar recommend a coordinated medical, psychological, and communication evaluation to differentiate between autism and other disorders.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 7, 2014

Squeezing light into metals

University of Utah engineers create microscopic structures that use light in metals to carry information, controlling electrical conductivity with an inexpensive inkjet printer. The technique could lead to rapid fabrication of superfast components and faster wireless technology.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateMar 7, 2014

Danish nasal filter looks promising for allergy sufferers

A clinical study from Aarhus University finds that a newly developed Danish mini-filter, Rhinix, appears to be significantly more effective against the discomfort of seasonal hay fever than a filterless placebo. The filter reduces nasal symptoms by up to 75% and alleviates throat irritation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 7, 2014

Traffic-related air pollution associated with changes in right ventricular structure and function

Research associates high traffic-related air pollution exposure with increased right ventricular mass and volume, linking it to a higher risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death. The study found that participants exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide had greater right ventricular changes.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 7, 2014

Europe's largest badger study finds rare long-distance movements

A four-year study in Ireland found that five percent of badgers traveled over 7.5km from their setts, with the longest recorded distance being 22.1km. This information is crucial for designing policies to tackle tuberculosis within cattle populations and understanding how infection is maintained and spread within badger populations.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateMar 7, 2014

New theory on cause of endometriosis

A new theory proposes that epigenetic modification plays a key role in the development of endometriosis, a chronic disease affecting 1 in 10 women. The research suggests that alterations in the epigenetic landscape, rather than genetic mutations, contribute to the disease's progression.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 7, 2014

'Seeing' bodies with sound (no sight required)

Congenitally blind individuals can learn to recognize human body shapes through soundscapes, with an average of 70 hours of training required. The brain's visual cortex responds to sound patterns, allowing participants to detect posture and imitate movements.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2014

Black boys viewed as older, less innocent than whites, research finds

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that black boys are more likely to be perceived as older and less innocent than their white peers in police encounters. Researchers tested 176 police officers and found that those who dehumanized blacks were more likely to use force against a black child.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMar 6, 2014

Why soil changes color in air

Research reveals that oxidation reaction between atmospheric iron oxide reduces soil plasticity, sensitivity, and structural yield stress. The transformation is caused by micro-structure remodeling, not inherent mineral changes, and has potential adverse effects on soil stability.

Crashing comets explain surprise gas clump around young star

The ALMA observations revealed a compact clump of carbon monoxide gas in the debris disc around Beta Pictoris, which is surprising given its short lifetime. The team suggests that cometary collisions are replenishing the carbon monoxide, with one large comet collision every five minutes needed to achieve this amount.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateMar 6, 2014

Some people really just don't like music

Researchers identified individuals with specific musical anhedonia, a condition where people can't experience pleasure from music. They found that these individuals show no autonomic responses to music but respond to monetary rewards, suggesting different ways to access the reward system.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2014

Obese adolescents not getting enough sleep?

A study found that low sleep duration in obese adolescents significantly increases their risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Researchers used physical activity monitors to measure typical patterns of physical activity and sleep, and found a strong association between sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk score.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMar 6, 2014