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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 33


Page 33 of 34

BPA linked to prostate cancer, study shows

Researchers found higher levels of BPA in prostate cancer patients than non-prostate cancer patients, with low-dose exposure linked to centrosome amplification and cell transformation. The study suggests a previously unknown relationship between BPA exposure and prostate cancer development.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 3, 2014

Patterns of interfering massive particles

Researchers found that identical particles, such as bosons, exhibit overlapping patterns instead of interfering due to exchange effects. This challenges current understanding of quantum optics and has potential applications in precision tests.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 3, 2014

Unmasking the secrets of the extinct moa

A study published in PLOS ONE has clarified the number of moa species that existed, with researchers using a DNA barcoding technique to determine species status for the extinct Euryapteryx moa genus. The findings suggest that two species likely existed and possibly some subspecies, revealing complex species status.

SourceGriffith University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 3, 2014

Calculating cooperation

A new Harvard University study found that women of different social ranks cooperate with each other less well than men do, but not when they are at the same rank. The research suggests that biological and cultural factors may contribute to these differences in cooperation.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 3, 2014

Cigarette smoking may cause physical changes in brains of young smokers, UCLA study shows

A UCLA study suggests that young adult smokers may experience physical changes in their brains due to cigarette smoking, which could explain why adults who began smoking at a young age stay hooked on cigarettes. The researchers found that brain structure changes were linked to the amount of smoking exposure and nicotine dependence.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateMar 3, 2014

Experimental stroke drug also shows promise for people with Lou Gehrig's disease

Researchers at USC have found that an experimental drug protects the blood-spinal cord barrier's integrity in mice with ALS, delaying motor neuron degeneration and potentially offering new hope for treatment. The study suggests that repairing damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier may delay disease progression in people with ALS.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems

Research shows that temperate ecosystems consisted of a mosaic of closed and semi-closed forests and parkland created by large grazers. The study also found that woodland beetles were less dominant in the previous interglacial period than in the early Holocene, indicating a shift towards more forested landscapes after human arrival.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

New discovery solves problem of anti-inflammatory substance

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully produced a molecule that blocks LTA4 hydrolase from producing LTB4, while maintaining the inactivation of Pro-Gly-Pro. This could lead to new hopes for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and various types of inflammatory skin diseases.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Female doctors spend more time than male doctors on parenting, household tasks, study finds

A study of 1,055 physicians found that married women with children spent 8.5 hours more on parenting and domestic activities than their male counterparts, despite accounting for a spouse's employment. The finding highlights the persistent gender differences in household labor among high-achieving female doctors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 3, 2014

World-class orchestras judged by sight not sound

Researchers found that world-class orchestras can be accurately identified by silent video footage, but not through sound recordings. Participants scored significantly better when shown video-only clips than when played audio clips, suggesting visual cues about group dynamics and leadership play a crucial role in judgment.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateMar 3, 2014

Gut microbes spur development of bowel cancer

A study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that gut microbes contribute to the development of intestinal tumors, leading to colorectal cancer. Disrupting gut bacteria with antibiotics prevented polyp formation in mice, suggesting a link between inflammation and tumor growth.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 3, 2014

Plant extract hope for infant muscle disease

Researchers have discovered a plant pigment called quercetin that targets the mutated gene causing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic cause of death in children. Quercetin has been shown to improve nerve and muscle cell health in tests on zebra fish, mice, and fruit flies.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 3, 2014

Experts call for prison health improvements

The article highlights the need for improved prison healthcare, citing that over 95% of prisoners will return to the community with significant health burdens. Experts recommend alternatives to imprisonment, improved oversight, and a 'risk-needs-responsivity' model to address chronic medical conditions and substance abuse after release.

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 3, 2014

Amazon's canopy chemistry is a patchwork quilt

Scientists discovered that Amazonian canopy trees have evolved unique chemical portfolios to optimize growth in different soils and elevations. The study found that these communities are organized into a large mosaic controlled by geological factors, providing insights into how forests assembled over evolutionary time.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Herbal cannabis not recommended for rheumatology patients

Patients with rheumatic conditions are turning to herbal cannabis for symptom relief, but medical evidence is lacking. The study advises healthcare providers to discourage patients from using this drug as therapy due to potential harm and availability of other therapies.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateMar 3, 2014

Homing in on cancer with a comprehensive measurement method

Researchers developed a comprehensive measurement method to visualize tumor cells and their interactions, providing insights into the heterogeneity of tumors. The new technique can simultaneously record 32 biomarkers and has the potential to pinpoint weak points in the control system, leading to more effective therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 3, 2014