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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 32


Page 32 of 402

Christmas period may reduce quality of life for many Europeans

A new study suggests that many Europeans experience despondent and stressed feelings during the pre-Christmas period, but Christians, particularly those with high religious affiliation, tend to be more positive and content. Higher education levels and family presence also help individuals cope with the holiday stress.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateDec 1, 2015

Why online doctor ratings are good medicine

A new study found that openly sharing patient satisfaction metrics created a culture of empathy, communication, trust, and shared decision making between patients and providers at University of Utah Health Care. This led to improved patient outcomes and cultural change in healthcare.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateDec 1, 2015

Red means 'go' to therapeutic viruses

Rice University researchers use engineered viruses that respond to red light to overcome the challenge of delivering genes into host cells' nuclei. By incorporating light-responsive proteins, they successfully control viral activity and gene expression in target cells.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 1, 2015

Blood levels of Ebola virus are predictive of death

Researchers found that Ebola virus blood levels are strong predictors of fatality, with case fatality ratios increasing with viremia levels. The study used laboratory and clinical data from 699 patients to model the association between viremia and CFR.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 1, 2015

New research helps to explain how temperature shifts the circadian clock

Scientists have discovered that the length of a living organism's 24-hour internal clock remains constant despite temperature fluctuations. The study found that external pathways sensitive to temperature cue the clock to skip ahead or backward, while the core mechanisms within the clock itself remain insensitive to temperature.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2015

Unique study maps political orientation of all 50 US states over time

A new study by MIT researchers reveals that US states have become more liberal since the 1930s, with a small turn to the left in recent years. The study also shows that regional differences in state-level policies have become more pronounced, with the South becoming more conservative and the Northeast and West Coast becoming more liberal.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateDec 1, 2015

First outcomes report from novel heart surgery registry shows excellent results for TAVR

The report analyzed outcomes of 26,414 TAVR procedures performed from 2012-2014 and found low risk for mortality, myocardial infarction, kidney injury, and neurologic complications. The most common complications were vascular and bleeding requiring transfusion, with a decrease in vascular complications over time.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 30, 2015

A fine kettle of fish

A new study reveals that fluctuating food supplies and competition can alter survival of adult fish and cause populations to fluctuate in abundance. The research found strong interactions between the amount of food and the survival rate as well as the number of fish, with more fish leading to less survival due to competing for limited ...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEcology Letters·DateNov 30, 2015

Female hormone supplements with estrogen and progestin linked to breast cancer risk

Postmenopausal African American women who use female hormone supplements containing estrogen and progestin are at a 50% increased risk of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. The study found greater increases in risk for recent and long-term users, highlighting the importance of limiting combination therapy.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 30, 2015

Asserting the freedom of navigation: Does the US go too far?

A new article by Amitai Etzioni argues that US freedom of navigation operations (FONAs) can be overly aggressive and escalate into dangerous clashes with nations. FONAs operate on a limited budget and are often used as a fallback option after diplomatic efforts fail.

SourceSAGE·JournalArmed Forces & Society·DateNov 30, 2015

Critically ill patients at long-term risk for bone fracture

A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that critically ill patients experience significant bone loss, increasing their risk of fragility fractures. The researchers suggest that anti-resorptive therapies may be necessary to prevent bone loss in these patients.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 30, 2015

Our epigenome is influenced by our habitat and lifestyle

Researchers found that moving from forest to urban habitats affects epigenetic patterns of the immune response, while historical lifestyles impact development and physical characteristics. These findings suggest a significant influence of environment on epigenetics and potential risks for autoimmune diseases.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 30, 2015

The future of cities

Cities are facing bigger challenges than ever before, including rural-urban migration, optimizing housing conditions, health and education. Digital technology has the potential to overcome many of these challenges, but concerns remain around privacy and cybersecurity.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalAsia-Pacific Biotech News·DateNov 30, 2015