Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2015 - Page 8


Page 8 of 32

Review: PTSD resources lacking for nonveterans

A new study finds that treatment resources for non-veterans with PTSD are much less cohesive and helpful than those available to veterans. The review of research literature highlights the need for better guidance on treating PTSD in specific vulnerable subpopulations, such as victims of sexual assault and natural disasters.

SourceBrown University·JournalHarvard Review of Psychiatry·DateDec 18, 2015

Uncovering potentially 'concerning' variation in cancer screening follow-ups

A recent study involving one million patients found that follow-up times for abnormal screening exams were shorter for breast cancer than for colorectal and cervical cancers. The study characterized cancer screening practice variation across seven centers and noted the potential barriers to timely follow-up, including patient inconveni...

SourceThe Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 18, 2015

Coastal marshes more resilient to sea-level rise than previously believed

A new study by Duke University researchers found that coastal marshes can adapt to rising sea levels through increased plant productivity and soil generation, reducing the extent of marsh loss. The 'CO2 fertilization effect' allows marshes to trap more sediment and create organic soil, which helps them keep pace with sea-level rise.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2015

Bacterium carrying a cloned Bt-gene could help millions infected with roundworms

A team of researchers has successfully inserted the gene for Bt into a harmless bacterium, which can be used to deliver the protein to people afflicted with roundworms through dairy products or probiotics. This could provide an inexpensive treatment option for millions of people worldwide infected with intestinal nematodes and roundworms.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 18, 2015

Despite poaching, elephants' social networks hold steady

Researchers found that elephants' social networks remained resilient due to the ability of daughters to fill their mothers' roles, driven by vertical transmission of social roles. This adaptability provides optimism for elephant recovery from human disturbance once pressure is alleviated.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

New research uncovers processes driving planarian stem cell differentiation

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of enzymes in regulating chromatin, which plays a crucial role in planarian stem cell differentiation. The study found that specific enzymes, Set1 and MLL1/2, target genes involved in cilia formation, suggesting that defects in these processes may be linked to various huma...

Buffet guilt

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab researchers found that diners paying less for all-you-can-eat buffets feel more physically uncomfortable and guilty compared to those paying more. The study suggests that consumers can mitigate these effects by opting for higher-priced buffets and healthier options.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalBMC Nutrition·DateDec 17, 2015

Darwin's finches may face extinction

A new study shows that parasitic flies may drive Darwin's finch populations to extinction in several decades. However, a modest reduction in fly prevalence through human intervention could alleviate the risk. Researchers propose various methods for controlling the fly population, including introducing wasps and using insecticides.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateDec 17, 2015

HKU scientists find 3 coronavirus species co-circulating in dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia and Korean outbreak of MERS caused by recombinant variant

Research reveals three coronavirus species co-existing in camels in Saudi Arabia, including one closely related to the human 229E virus. The study also finds that young camels are more susceptible to respiratory infections and that winter is the peak season for virus replication.

Early warning system to save species.

A new method, known as the 'systems behaviour chart', is proposed by Dr Simon Black to focus conservation efforts and improve management. This tool can help identify early warning signs of ecological problems, such as population declines or increased mortality rates, allowing for timely interventions to be made.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalInternational Journal of Ecology·DateDec 17, 2015

Penn Nursing research: Exceptional care requires patient-driven education

Research from Penn Nursing and colleagues finds that parents with low health literacy need learner-driven education, while those with adequate literacy want flexible teaching. The study's findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess patient health literacy and use creative communication methods to improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateDec 17, 2015

Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers

A new study suggests that the beginning of the Anthropocene era was linked to the emergence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago. The researchers found a shift in the frequency of aggregated versus segregated species pairs in ancient ecosystems, which they attribute to human activity that altered the terrestrial landscape.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2015