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Science News for November 7, 2014


Practice makes perfect in cancer surgery

Researchers found that higher volume hospital and surgeon volume are associated with fewer post-operative complications and improved overall survival for bladder cancer patients. The study aims to identify processes and interactions leading to better outcomes, which could inform improvements in care at lower volume hospitals.

SourceQueen's University·JournalUrology·DateNov 7, 2014

Liberals are more emotion-driven than conservatives

A study found that emotions have a greater influence on leftists' positions than on rightists', even with induced negative emotions. Real-world scenarios showed Jewish-Israeli leftists' policy support was more related to empathy and anger than rightists'. Future research aims to investigate how emotions motivate changes in rightists' p...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateNov 7, 2014

Research project emphasizes the need to persuade parents to make their children walk to school

A research project involving 1,219 children and 1,007 parents from US schools found that parental attitudes and perceptions are crucial in encouraging kids to walk to school. The study aimed to identify factors influencing this habit and highlighted the need for improved safety of paths and urban environments.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateNov 7, 2014

Reprogrammed cells grow into new blood vessels

Researchers at Houston Methodist develop a new approach to regrow damaged blood vessels using trans-differentiated fibroblasts, improving blood flow and oxygenation. The technique shows promise for treating cardiovascular damage and injuries with minimal risk of chromosome damage.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalCirculation·DateNov 7, 2014

A new angle on infertility

A single mutation in the beta-catenin gene can lead to abnormalities in sexual organ morphology, making natural reproduction impossible. The study found that this mutation affects specific tissues, causing malformations that prevent successful reproduction.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 7, 2014

Dip in emergency hospital admissions via GPs while figures soar for A&E

Emergency hospital admissions to A&E departments rose by 72% between 2001/2 and 2010/11, while those via GPs decreased by 17%, suggesting a shift in the role of these services. Researchers suggest that changes in patient behavior, demographic shifts, and policy factors contributed to this trend.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateNov 7, 2014

Brain's response to threat silenced when we are reminded of being loved and cared for

New research from the University of Exeter found that viewing pictures of others receiving emotional support reduces the brain's response to threatening facial expressions or words. This effect was particularly pronounced in more anxious individuals, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for mental health conditions like PTSD.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateNov 7, 2014

New antibiotic in mushroom that grows on horse dung

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria, known as copsin, which has the same effect as traditional antibiotics but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. The substance was found in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea and is responsible for its antibiotic effect.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 7, 2014