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Science News for March 24, 2015


Complex genetic ancestry of Americans uncovered

Researchers analyzed DNA samples from 64 populations in Europe, Africa, and the Americas to uncover the genetic fingerprints of the slave trade and colonization. The study found that Americans have a complex genetic profile, with varying proportions of African and European ancestry.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 24, 2015

CV organizations issue recommendations for minimally invasive valve treatments for children, adults

Expert consensus paper provides guidance on transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement for patients with congenital heart disease. The recommendations stress the importance of a heart team collaborating on treatment decisions, and institutions must meet specific requirements to perform these procedures.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMar 24, 2015

Legally high? Teenagers and prescription drug abuse

A new study found that teenagers who struggle with anxiety and feel pressure to be popular are at a higher risk of abusing prescription drugs. The researchers recruited teens in shopping malls across the US and asked them about their substance use, finding a strong link between psychological states and prescription drug abuse.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateMar 24, 2015

Squeeze to remove heat: Elastocaloric materials enable more efficient, 'green' cooling

Researchers have discovered elastocaloric materials that can change temperature in response to mechanical stress, enabling more efficient solid-state refrigeration. These materials could lead to environmentally-friendly replacements for traditional cooling technologies, with potential applications in household refrigerators, air condit...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 24, 2015

New study indicates laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation may be safer than abdominal procedure

A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation is associated with fewer postoperative complications and improved quality of life compared to abdominal surgery. The study used decision-tree analysis to compare outcomes according to the probability of compli...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateMar 24, 2015

Manganese speeds up honey bees

A study by Washington University in St. Louis found that low levels of manganese increased dopamine levels in honey bee brains, speeding up their behavior, while high doses caused toxicity. The findings suggest that honey bees may serve as early warning indicators for environmental toxins.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalBiology Letters·DateMar 24, 2015

A cancer research breakthrough

A breakthrough discovery by Queen's University researcher Madhuri Koti has identified biomarkers that can predict the success of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. This finding holds promise for improving treatment options and increasing patient survival rates.

SourceQueen's University·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateMar 24, 2015

Rethinking wetland restoration: Smaller wetlands more valuable than previously thought

A new study from the University of Waterloo reveals that smaller, isolated wetlands are being lost at a higher rate than larger ones, with significant consequences for aquatic species and water quality. The research emphasizes the importance of considering ecosystem services provided by different wetland types in restoration efforts.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalEcological Applications·DateMar 24, 2015

'Goldilocks material' could change spintronics

A team at Trinity College in Dublin has discovered a new class of magnetic materials based on Mn-Ga alloys, which could revolutionize data storage and increase wireless data transmission speeds. The material has unique properties that make it immune to external magnetic fields and free from demagnetizing forces.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 24, 2015

Lung transplant patients in the UK fare better than publicly insured Americans

A study found that UK patients with cystic fibrosis who received transplants had better survival rates than publicly insured Americans. The research suggests that a single-payer national health care system can provide complex, coordinated and expansive care with long-term outcomes similar to those achieved by private insurance.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateMar 24, 2015

Got (fresh) milk?

Researchers have developed a new technology to preserve milk without refrigeration or chemicals, reducing waste and increasing income for small farmers. Pulsed electric fields can kill bacteria and extend shelf life without constant electricity supply.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateMar 24, 2015

Marketing, prescribing testosterone and growth hormone for aging is disease mongering

The marketing, prescribing, and selling of testosterone and growth hormone as solutions for aging-associated problems is considered disease mongering. The FDA has recently acknowledged that these treatments are not indicated for age-related decline in serum testosterone, with potential risks outweighing benefits.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMar 24, 2015

Milk could be good for your brain

New research at KU Medical Center found a correlation between milk consumption and increased levels of glutathione in the brain. Participants who drank milk recently had higher glutathione levels, which could help stave off oxidative stress and its associated diseases.

SourceUniversity of Kansas Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 24, 2015

A call for more research on brain damage in American football

Experts say research is needed to develop strategies to protect athletes from brain injury, citing a lack of long-term studies and unclear causes. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been linked to repeated blows to the head, but diagnosis requires autopsy and more research is needed to understand its development.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 24, 2015

Concerns over the online market of human breast milk

The unregulated online market for human breast milk puts infants at risk due to lack of pasteurization and proper testing. Experts call for legal regulation and training for healthcare workers to ensure safe alternatives are offered to mothers struggling with breastfeeding.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 24, 2015

New study shows non-invasive imaging tests can detect coronary artery disease long before it strikes

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that adding two non-invasive imaging tests to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment can more accurately predict a healthy patient's future risk of heart attack, stroke, or premature death. The study identified subclinical atherosclerosi...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 24, 2015

Pay gap between male and female RNs has not narrowed

A study analyzing salaries of registered nurses in the US from 1988 to 2013 found that male RNs consistently outearned their female counterparts across settings, specialties, and positions. The pay gap remained unchanged over time, with an estimated $5,148 difference in adjusted earnings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 24, 2015

How to grow a human lung

Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully grown a 3D mini lung from embryonic stem cells, replicating the organization of human airways. The study demonstrates a novel method for morphogenesis in a dish, enabling the creation of lung tissue with cell types found in the lungs.

SourceeLife·DateMar 24, 2015

Preparing for natural disasters: What policies protect the vulnerable consumer?

A new study found that many residents in southern Spain do not take steps to prepare themselves against future disasters due to lack of information and financial resources. However, when the government is involved in awareness campaigns and housing subsidies, participants finally take steps toward disaster preparedness.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateMar 24, 2015

Study provides academic support for new Steve Jobs portrayal

A recent study from Brigham Young University finds that leaders with a mix of narcissism and humility are more effective and engage their employees better. The research, which was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, suggests that when leaders balance their self-confidence with humility, they can avoid the negative traits as...

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateMar 24, 2015

Good bone, bad bone

A new hand-held instrument called OsteoProbe measures the bone material strength index (BMSi), which predicts bone fracture risk. The device is more sensitive than standard measurement techniques and can detect changes in cortical bone indentation following treatment with osteoporosis therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateMar 24, 2015