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Science News Archive October 2014 - Page 8


Page 8 of 35

Thermodiffusion in weightlessness

Two studies by Belgian scientists investigate thermodiffusion's impact on binary and ternary mixtures, paving the way for studying multi-component mixtures in orbit. The findings also have implications for oil reservoirs and carbon capture technologies.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 27, 2014

Viral switches share a shape

Researchers have discovered that multiple viruses share an L-shaped switch in their RNA genomes, which can be flipped to prevent replication. The discovery has implications for developing new drugs to inhibit viral replication, particularly for hepatitis C virus.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2014

Hair proteins are important in tooth enamel structure

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has found a significant link between hair keratin mutations and an increased risk of dental decay. Individuals with mutations in hair keratin genes are prone to cavities, with abnormal tooth enamel structures contributing to weakness.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 27, 2014

Chimps plan ahead for a good breakfast

Researchers found that chimpanzees strategically plan their breakfast time and location based on environmental factors and food availability, taking risks to secure desired fruits. The study reveals the complexity of chimpanzee cognitive behavior in complex environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2014

Ibuprofen better choice to relieve fracture pain in children than oral morphine

A randomized trial found ibuprofen to be a safer and more effective option for managing fracture pain in children, with fewer adverse events compared to oral morphine. The study involved 134 children aged 5-17 and concluded that ibuprofen remains a viable therapy for outpatient management of children's fracture pain.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 27, 2014

Reducing population is no environmental 'quick fix'

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that even stringent fertility restrictions or catastrophic mass mortality would not significantly reduce the world population by 2100. Instead, researchers suggest focusing on policies and technologies that reverse rising consumption of natural resources...

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2014

Adverse drug reactions in children following use of asthma medications

A recent study found that asthma medications are associated with more and more serious adverse drug reactions in children, especially compared to clinical trials. The European ADR database shows a high share of serious ADRs in this population, highlighting the need for improved prescribing and monitoring practices.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Pharmacy·DateOct 27, 2014

The Ebola epidemic: Is there a way out?

The International Union of Immunology Societies is urging urgent funding and implementation of Ebola vaccine trials. Several promising vaccine candidates, including Cad3 Ebola and rVSV-ΔG-ZEBOV, are being tested in phase 1 clinical trials, showing safe and efficient results in non-human primates.

SourceJP Communications·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateOct 27, 2014

Study: Menopausal symptoms may be lessened with young children in the house

A new study by researchers at The Kinsey Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has found that having young children in the house can help women experience fewer hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. This unexpected benefit may be linked to increased oxytocin levels, associated with nurturing care.

SourceIndiana University·JournalMenopause The Journal of The North American Menopause Society·DateOct 27, 2014

University of Delaware study connects penguin chick weights to local weather conditions

A recent University of Delaware study has found that Adélie penguin chick weights are most closely linked to local weather conditions, including high winds and precipitation. The researchers discovered a significant impact on chick weight variations over time, with even small changes in weather causing notable differences in chick mass.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateOct 27, 2014

Rice team sets sights on better voting machine

A team of Rice University engineers and social scientists has developed a new electronic voting system that aims to be both secure and easy to use. The STAR (Secure, Transparent, Auditable and Reliable) system is designed to address the looming crisis facing elections officials nationwide as they replace aging voting systems.

Synapses always on the starting blocks

Researchers at Max Planck Institute discover that neurotransmitter vesicles are already in close contact with the cell membrane before fusion occurs. This discovery provides insight into how synapses rapidly transmit information and could lead to new medical research benefits.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNeuron·DateOct 27, 2014

Heart drug may help treat ALS, mouse study shows

A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart failure, may have a strong effect on treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by blocking an enzyme that destroys nerve cells. The research suggests that reducing the activity of this enzyme or limiting its production can prevent th...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 26, 2014

Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins TWAS-Lenovo Prize

South African epidemiologist Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize for her groundbreaking work on HIV prevention in women. Her discovery of a topical anti-HIV gel has the potential to save millions of lives, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where women are disproportionately affected by the epidemic.

SourceTWAS·DateOct 26, 2014