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Science News Archive April 2015 - Page 18


Page 18 of 36

New research finds smoking and mother's genetics combine to increase likelihood of twins

African American mothers who smoke and have a specific genetic profile are more likely to conceive twins. The study found that the presence of a TP53 gene variant is crucial in 'twinning'. Researchers discovered a significant interaction between smoking and this genetic factor, leading to an increased likelihood of having twins.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateApr 17, 2015

Studying how species evolve

The documentary follows University of Miami researcher J. Albert C. Uy as he investigates a genetic mutation causing two bird populations to split into separate species. Uy's research aims to unlock secrets of speciation and the planet's animal diversity.

Telling the time of day by color

A new study has found that the colour of light impacts how the brain clock measures time of day and regulates animals' physiology and behavior. By analyzing changes in light color around dawn and dusk, scientists discovered that blue light is reliably detected during twilight hours, unlike during the day.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 17, 2015

Trial co-led by Pitt expert shows better function after stroke if clots removed

A trial conducted in Catalonia, Spain, found that removing blood clots from large brain blood vessels improved function and reduced disability after stroke. The technique, called endovascular therapy or stent retriever thrombectomy, showed a 1.7 fold reduction in disability compared to medical intervention alone.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 17, 2015

Effectiveness of new stroke treatment confirmed

A new endovascular therapy procedure for ischemic stroke has been shown to improve patient outcomes, increasing positive results from 35% to 60%. The study, SWIFT-PRIME, randomized 196 patients and found a significant reduction in mortality rates, with an overall decrease of 50% compared to standard treatment.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 17, 2015

Cancer and chemobrain: Cancer diagnosis affects cognitive function

A new study by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München attributes mild cognitive defects in breast cancer patients to post-traumatic stress induced by diagnosis, not chemotherapy side-effects. The study found pretreatment cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients was due to stress associated with the disease.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 17, 2015

Key to better sex ed: Focus on gender & power

A new study by Population Council researcher Nicole Haberland found that sexuality and HIV education programs addressing gender and power are more effective than those that do not. The research found that 80% of such programs were associated with a lower rate of STIs or unintended pregnancy, compared to 17% of programs without this con...

SourcePopulation Council·JournalInternational Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·DateApr 17, 2015

LGBT-competent physicians are scarce at US academic medical practices, UCLA study finds

A recent UCLA study found that only 9% of US academic medical practices have procedures for connecting patients to LGBT-competent physicians. This suggests a need for increased training and policies to support LGBT patient care. The study's findings highlight the importance of healthcare providers being aware of and sensitive to factor...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 17, 2015

Wayne State developing new approaches for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's

Researchers at Wayne State University are working on a new approach to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages. The goal is to develop affordable and portable tests that can be easily administered in senior centers or church basements, reducing barriers for African Americans who are disproportionately affected by the disease.

Cognitive problems are common after cardiac arrest

A major international study from Lund University found that half of cardiac arrest patients experience cognitive problems like memory and attention issues. The researchers believe that these issues can be attributed to common risk factors among heart disease patients, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

SourceLund University·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 17, 2015

A blueprint for clearing the skies of space debris

A new space-based system combines a super-wide field-of-view telescope with a high-efficiency laser to track and deorbit centimeter-sized space debris. The system, proposed by RIKEN scientists, could remove most of the debris within five years of operation.

SourceRIKEN·JournalActa Astronautica·DateApr 17, 2015

New lab technique reveals structure and function of proteins critical in DNA repair

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new lab technique that simultaneously observes protein structure and function in DNA repair. The technique, combining fluorescence microscopy and optical trapping, provides definitive answers to long-debated questions and opens up new avenues for biological engineering.

Stomach ulcers in cattle

A recent study by researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna found that stomach ulcers in cattle are primarily caused by stress, nutrition, and weather conditions. The bacterial diversity present in the stomachs of healthy and ulcerated animals was nearly identical, suggesting that bacteria play a minor role in the development of ulcers.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalVeterinary Microbiology·DateApr 17, 2015

A sniff of happiness: Chemicals in sweat may convey positive emotion

A study published in Psychological Science found that people produce chemical compounds, or chemosignals, when they experience happiness that are detectable by others who smell their sweat. This implies that someone who is happy will infuse others with happiness through the scent of their sweat, similar to how smiling can be infectious.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 16, 2015

Fighting the next generation of cyberattacks

A team of US computer scientists are working on an analyzer that can hunt down algorithmic attacks, a new form of vulnerability that is nearly impossible to find with today's technology. The software will perform a mathematical simulation of the software to predict what will happen in the event of an attack.