Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for October 16, 2014


The Lancet: Surgical Trauma Series media alert

The Surgical Trauma Series examines the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of large-scale trauma. Researchers discuss the systemic immune response to trauma, its association with reduced resistance to infection, and the role of ageing in influencing survival rates.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 16, 2014

Adenosine can melt 'love handles'

Scientists at the University of Bonn have discovered a new signaling pathway that utilizes adenosine to stimulate brown fat cells. This 'browning' process may help convert white fat cells into energy-burning brown cells, potentially aiding in weight loss and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateOct 16, 2014

I have to walk how many miles to burn off this soda?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that installing calorie-counting signs in stores led to a significant decrease in sugary drink purchases among black adolescents. The study, which lasted six weeks, showed that teens who saw the signs were more likely to choose lower-calorie beverages or smaller sizes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 16, 2014

Shrinking resource margins in Sahel region of Africa

The Sahel region is experiencing a shrinking margin between supply and demand for primary production, driven by population growth and increasing consumption. The study found that the rate of increase in food needs was 2.2% per year, while crop production remained largely unchanged over the past decade.

SourceLund University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 16, 2014

Have you heard of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

A new study published in Epilepsia reports that 76% of caregivers are more likely to have heard of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) compared to 65% of patients with epilepsy. SUDEP is a rare but devastating condition that occurs in about 1 in 1,000 individuals with epilepsy each year.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateOct 16, 2014

Identifying hidden minds in impaired consciousness

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that vegetative patients may have well-preserved brain networks similar to those of healthy adults, indicating possible covert awareness. This discovery could improve clinical assessment and help identify patients who might be aware despite being uncommunicative.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 16, 2014

That pregnant feeling makes a fly start nesting

A study published in Cell Reports found that female fruit flies exhibit a preference for acetic acid, or vinegar, when carrying eggs due to sensory neurons detecting stretch in the reproductive tract. This behavior is linked to pregnancy and egg production, challenging previous assumptions about hormonal influences.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 16, 2014

Diabetic men with low testosterone run higher risk of developing atherosclerosis

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that diabetic men with low testosterone levels are more likely to develop severe atherosclerotic plaques and other cardiovascular markers. The research suggests a strong association between low testosterone concentration and the severi...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 16, 2014

Probing the past

Astronomers have combined traditional method with reverse engineering to improve accuracy in measuring distant galaxies. They calculated a robust distance measurement using near-infrared and visible-light photos, estimating a redshift of 10 for the galaxy.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 16, 2014

Physicists sound warning to 'nail beauty fanatics'

Researchers have devised equations to identify physical laws governing nail growth, shedding light on common nail problems like ingrown toenails. Daily poor trimming can tip the balance of nails, causing residual stress that leads to shape changes and potential serious conditions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysical Biology·DateOct 16, 2014

Formation and large scale confinement of jets emitted by young stars finally elucidated

Researchers from around the world have successfully explained the formation and propagation of stellar jets emitted by young stars. The team used a patented experimental device and numerical simulations to demonstrate that interstellar magnetic fields play a key role in confining these jets, which can travel vast distances.

Male and female brains aren't equal when it comes to fat

A new study in mice found that male and female brains respond to high-fat diets in remarkably different ways, with males experiencing greater inflammation and reduced cardiac function. The findings suggest that dietary advice should be made more sex-specific, with women allowed occasional high-fat meals and men advised to avoid them.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 16, 2014

Cadavers beat computers for learning anatomy

A recent study published in Anatomical Sciences Education reveals that cadaver-based instruction is more effective than computer simulation in teaching anatomy. Students who learned on cadavers scored up to 16% higher on identification and 11% higher on explanation compared to those who used digital technologies.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAnatomical Sciences Education·DateOct 16, 2014

Researchers develop personalized ovarian cancer vaccines

The study identifies tiny differences in protein sequences between cancer cells and healthy tissue, enabling the creation of personalized vaccines. The research aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer, which often responds well to surgery and chemotherapy but returns lethally within a year or two.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 16, 2014

Curious signal hints at dark matter

A team of scientists from the University of Leicester has detected a curious signal in the X-ray sky that could be the first direct indication of dark matter. The signal appears to be consistent with the prediction of axions, particles believed to make up a significant portion of the universe's mass.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 16, 2014

Modeling tumor dormancy

A new computational model developed at Princeton University may help understand tumor dormancy, a phenomenon that can last up to 25 years in pancreatic cancer. The model predicts that tumors are likely to grow rapidly when the number of dividing cells reaches a certain critical level.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2014

Informative visit to the toilet

White-footed sportive lemurs use scent-marks in latrines to maintain contact with family members and inform intruders of a male's presence. The study found that males visited latrines more often during nights when an intruder invaded the territory, promoting social bonding among group members.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateOct 16, 2014

Public health in the 21st century

A new supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine addresses the need for a more effective public health workforce in the 21st century. Key findings include the importance of clear definitions of public health workforce challenges and the role of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in workforce development.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 16, 2014

Presence of enzyme may worsen effects of spinal cord injury and impair long-term recovery

A study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) plays a pivotal role in disrupting the brain/spinal cord barrier, cell death, and functional deficits after spinal cord injury (SCI). Mice deficient in MMP-3 showed improved functional recovery and smaller volumes of injured tissue.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateOct 16, 2014

Executive scandal hurts job prospects even for entry-level employees

Research finds that moral suspicion from higher-ups' wrongdoing can spill down to people lower in an organization, damaging job prospects. The study suggests that emphasizing the individual's personal flaws or values rather than their organizational status can help reduce this effect.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 16, 2014

A simple and versatile way to build 3-dimensional materials of the future

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a novel method to assemble graphene into porous 3D structures, overcoming the challenge of maintaining unique material properties. The technique uses interfacial complexation with oppositely charged polymers, enabling tunable porosity and scalability for large-area films.

Pitt/McGowan Institute team discovers stem cells in the esophagus

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a pool of stem cells in the esophagus, which could lead to new treatments for esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus. The study found that these stem cells divide slowly compared to other cells in the esophagus, suggesting they may play a role in tissue rene...