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Science News Archive August 2015 - Page 29


Page 29 of 32

The role of intra-abdominal fat in IBD uncovered

A recent study published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that intra-abdominal fat cells may promote inflammation in IBD patients. The research isolated and cultured pre-intra-abdominal fat cells from healthy subjects and those with IBD, revealing significant differences in signaling mediators produced by...

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateAug 5, 2015

Storytelling skills support early literacy for African American children

Early narrative skills are tied to kindergarten literacy among young African American children, suggesting that storytelling is crucial for their early reading development. The study found that preschool oral narrative skills predicted emergent literacy for poor and non-poor African American kindergartners, but not for the overall sample.

SourceFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateAug 5, 2015

Stroke therapy put to the test in preclinical randomized controlled trial

A preclinical randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate a potential stroke therapy that had shown promise in one mouse model but not another. The study found that the treatment's success may depend on the type and severity of the stroke, suggesting improved clinical trial design could have mitigated this issue.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 5, 2015

Enthusiasm for personalized medicine is premature, prominent public health scholars argue

Two leading public health scholars, Sandro Galea and Ronald Bayer, warn that the US emphasis on precision medicine may distract from broader investments to reduce health inequities and address social factors. They cite a 2013 report by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, which found that health is determined by...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 5, 2015

Viruses thrive in big families, in sickness and in health

A study by the University of Utah Health found that households with children are more likely to experience viral infections throughout the year. On average, people in childless households were infected for 3-4 weeks, while those with one child were infected for 18 weeks, and those with six children were infected for up to 45 weeks.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateAug 5, 2015

Computer algorithm can forecast patients' deadly sepsis

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a computer-based method to predict hospital patients at risk of septic shock with 85% accuracy. The Targeted Real-time Early Warning Score (TREWScore) combines 27 factors into a predictive score, detecting septic shock before organ dysfunction in over two-thirds of cases.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 5, 2015

Cancer treatment models get real

Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to mimic the conditions under which cancer tumors grow in bones, enabling more accurate testing of cancer-fighting drugs. The study found that bone tumors exposed to normal forces express more of a protein called IGF-1 than detected in static cultures.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2015

How stress can tweak the brain to sabotage self-control

A study published in Neuron found that stress can alter brain connections to impair self-control, particularly when faced with tempting food choices. Researchers discovered that individuals who experienced moderate stress were more likely to choose unhealthy options, and their brains showed altered patterns of connectivity.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateAug 5, 2015

Long-term followup of type of bariatric surgery finds regain of weight, decrease in diabetes remission

A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy experienced significant weight regain and a decrease in remission rates for type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related disorders over time. The study collected data from 443 patients who underwent the procedure between 2006 and 201...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 5, 2015

England still struggling to close the gap in cancer survival

A new Cancer Research UK study reveals that England's cancer survival rates remain lower than those of countries with similar healthcare systems, despite steady improvements. The study found five-year survival from breast cancer improved more in England than in four leading countries, but overall cancer survival was lowest in England.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateAug 4, 2015

Can habitat protection save our disappearing bats?

Researchers from Concordia University and the University of Tennessee found that preserving natural habitats is crucial for maintaining bat populations. The study analyzed data from 9,552 hours of bat call recordings and found that bats need natural habitats to survive, even in highly modified agricultural landscapes.

SourceConcordia University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateAug 4, 2015

Projected benefits of high BP treatment in China

A modeling study predicts treating hypertension in China could prevent between 600,000 and 1,000,000 cardiovascular disease events annually. The intervention is projected to be borderline cost-effective, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $18,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 4, 2015