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Science News Archive September 2014 - Page 16


Page 16 of 34

First blood test to diagnose depression in adults

A new blood test identifies 9 RNA markers tied to depression, predicting who will benefit from therapy and providing the first objective, scientific diagnosis. The test also shows biological effects of cognitive behavioral therapy, offering personalized medicine approach to people suffering from depression.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateSep 16, 2014

Job stress not the only cause of burnouts at work

A new study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that factors outside the workplace contribute to mental health problems. Employees living with a partner, with young children or higher household income, experienced fewer burnout symptoms. The research emphasizes the importance of considering home life along...

SourceConcordia University·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·DateSep 16, 2014

Meteorite that doomed the dinosaurs helped the forests bloom

A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals that the meteorite impact that ended the dinosaurs also accelerated the growth of fast-growing flowering plants, which replaced slower-growing evergreen species. The research used fossilized leaves to reconstruct a plant community thriving during a 2.2 million-year period after the impact.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 16, 2014

Powerful synergies across different sectors improve health of poor women and children

New research finds that 50% of under-five child mortality reduction is due to high-impact health interventions, while the remaining 50% is attributed to factors outside the health sector. Successful countries deployed tailored strategies to address immediate needs, work towards long-term visions, and adapt quickly to change.

SourceHoffman & Hoffman Worldwide·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateSep 16, 2014

Healthy humans make nice homes for viruses

A recent study found that healthy individuals carry an average of five types of viruses on their bodies, with some individuals harboring up to 15 viruses. The researchers discovered seven families of viruses, including strains of herpes viruses not associated with sexually transmitted infections.

The genetics of coping with HIV

Researchers found that tolerance to HIV varies substantially between individuals, influenced by inherited genes, and is distinct from resistance. The study also discovered a gene linked to both resistance and tolerance, suggesting a unique mechanism for coping with the virus.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 16, 2014

World Health Organization policy improves use of medicines

A study by WHO and University of Toronto researchers found that implementing essential medicines policies is associated with improved quality use of medicines. Countries with higher per capita wealth levels showed weaker correlation, highlighting the importance of these policies in low-income nations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 16, 2014

Smart teens rub off on teammates

A new study at Brigham Young University found that high school students who participate in extracurricular activities with members who get good grades are more likely to attend college. The type of team or club doesn't matter, as long as the student is surrounded by peers with high GPAs.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalSocial Science Research·DateSep 16, 2014

How learning to talk is in the genes

Researchers discovered a genetic link between changes near the ROBO2 gene and the number of words spoken by children in early stages of language development. The study found significant association between genetic variations and expressive vocabulary in infancy, suggesting a strong role for genetics in early language skills.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2014

A novel therapy for sepsis?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found that PTX3, a protein involved in innate immunity, can reduce mortality from sepsis by protecting endothelial cells from damage. The study's findings suggest that PTX3 may be used to develop a novel therapy for sepsis.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Signaling·DateSep 16, 2014

Meteorite that doomed dinosaurs remade forests

A study of fossilized leaves reveals that the meteorite impact that ended the dinosaurs' reign favored fast-growing, deciduous plants. This shift from slow-growing evergreens to fast-growing species indicates that the extinction was not random, but rather a response to the major disturbance caused by the impact.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 16, 2014

Exxon Valdez 2014: Does media coverage of manmade disasters contribute to consumer complacency?

A new study reveals that news coverage of environmental disasters like the Exxon Valdez 2014 oil spill calms consumer anxieties instead of driving change. The media coverage creates a 'disaster myth' that directs attention to the company responsible, providing a dramatic closure, and distracting from systemic risks.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 16, 2014

Tornadoes occurring earlier in 'Tornado Alley'

A new study reveals peak tornado activity in the central and southern Great Plains of the US is starting and ending earlier than it did half a century ago. The shift in tornado activity could help states in 'Tornado Alley' better prepare for these violent storms, with some states experiencing an average shift of 14 days compared to 1954.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 16, 2014