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Science News for March 25, 2015


Drinking raw milk dramatically increases risk for foodborne illness, analysis finds

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed over 81 published journal articles and found that raw milk is associated with nearly 100 times more risk of foodborne illness than pasteurized milk. The study strongly discourages the consumption of raw milk, especially among elderly, pregnant women, and children.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAIDS Patient Care and STDs·DateMar 25, 2015

Work site wellness centers equate to weight loss and health care savings, Mayo expert says

A Mayo Clinic study found that frequent attendance at work site wellness centers led to significant weight loss and healthcare cost savings. Members who visited the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) more than 360 times were 72% more likely to experience weight loss, with corresponding reductions in healthcare costs.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateMar 25, 2015

Experience saves lives: Advanced life-support study reveals differences in survival rates

A new study reveals that adults treated with ECMO have better survival rates when cared for at hospitals that use the treatment frequently. The research analyzed data from over 56,000 patients across 290 hospitals worldwide, finding significant variation in survival rates between centers.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 25, 2015

Like Angelina Jolie, study pinpoints genetic cause of increased leukemia risk

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found a heritable genetic cause of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), similar to the BRCA mutation that affects breast and ovarian cancer risk. The ETV6 gene mutation is present at birth and increases the development of ALL, with the potential for future strategies to prevent the disease.

Does your password pass muster?

Researchers from Concordia University found that password strength meters are inconsistent and may confuse users. They recommend using robust meters like Dropbox's, which analyze passwords for common dictionary words and highlight weak phrases.

SourceConcordia University·JournalACM Transactions on Information and System Security·DateMar 25, 2015

Morphing wings help drones manage collisions

Researchers at Stanford University have created a robotic wing that can recover from mid-air collisions using a passive morphing mechanism inspired by bird wings. The mechanism allows the wing to fold and unfold without actuation, making it lighter and more reliable.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateMar 25, 2015

Study announces a durable vaccine for Ebola

A new study reveals a cytomegalovirus-based vaccine provides protection against Ebola virus for over 14 months after a single dose, offering hope for preventing ebolavirus infection in African apes and reducing future human outbreaks. The innovative approach could help stabilize endangered ape populations and protect humans from the de...

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalVaccine·DateMar 25, 2015

Just right: A spider's tale

A new study by University of Missouri biologist James E. Carrel found that southern house spiders prefer holes and cavities that are three to four times as big as their own body size for building nests. The spiders select nest sites based on their size, similar to how hermit crabs trade up for bigger shells as they grow bigger.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFlorida Entomologist·DateMar 25, 2015

Will you ever pay off your student loan?

A recent report highlights the need for transparent financial counseling before students accumulate debt, which can have long-lasting consequences. The average US graduate has $28,400 in student loan debt, with many struggling to repay due to low salaries and job insecurity.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education·DateMar 25, 2015

Education may not improve our life chances of happiness

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that all levels of educational attainment have similar odds of high mental wellbeing. High mental wellbeing is defined as feeling good and functioning well, with surprising results including increased odds among Afro-Caribbeans, particularly men.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 25, 2015

Damselfly war games

Male damselflies employ various strategies to decide whether to fight, including assessing wing pigmentation and choosing non-contact aerial display fights. Stronger males use aggressive tactics like chasing and biting to wear down weaker opponents.

Researchers find promising new biomarkers for concussion

Researchers at Brown University have identified four blood proteins that can accurately signal mild traumatic brain injury within hours after a concussion. These biomarkers, which include copeptin, galectin 3, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and occludin, show significant changes in the bloodstream of patients shortly after a concussion.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateMar 25, 2015

Mitigating reptile road mortality

A study published in PLOS ONE found that fence failures can negate the effectiveness of ecopassages in reducing reptile road mortality. Despite the use of ecopassages, turtle abundance on roads remained unchanged, and dead snakes and turtles increased after mitigation measures were implemented.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 25, 2015

Just slip out the back, Jack

A Saint Louis University research review article suggests people are hardwired to fall out of love and move onto new romantic relationships. Brain imaging studies show an increase in neuronal activity in pleasure areas that become active with cocaine use, implying a similar attachment process.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalReview of General Psychology·DateMar 25, 2015

For most children with HIV and low immune cell count, cells rebound after treatment

A new study published in the journal AIDS found that for most children with HIV and low immune cell counts, cells rebound after treatment. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,700 children infected with HIV before or during birth and found that 86% of children achieved normal CD4+ counts within one year of treatment.

ASHG and ESHG issue position statement on non-invasive prenatal screening

The American Society of Human Genetics and the European Society of Human Genetics issued a joint position statement on non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), exploring its promise and drawbacks. NIPT has improved accuracy and safety in prenatal screening, but raises concerns about over-expansion and loss of ultrasound data.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·JournalEuropean Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 25, 2015

Team discovers link between lifestyles of indigenous communities & gut microbial ecologies

A team of researchers has discovered a strong association between the lifestyles of indigenous communities and their gut microbial ecologies. The study found that hunter-gatherers in South America and Africa have similar gut microbiota profiles, while urban-industrialists have distinct profiles, suggesting a link between lifestyle and ...

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 25, 2015

MDC researchers greatly increase precision of new genome editing tool

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine have discovered a method to increase the efficiency of precise genetic modifications using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. By inhibiting a key enzyme, they achieved an eightfold increase in precision, paving the way for more accurate gene editing applications.

Ebola more deadly for young children

New research reveals that Ebola progresses quickly and is fatal for young children, with a lower chance of survival compared to adults. The study found that nearly 90% of children under one year old and around 80% of children aged one to four years who are infected have died.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 25, 2015

Hospitals and physicians should improve communication for better patient care

A study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus highlights the need for better communication between hospital clinicians and primary-care physicians to prevent missed test results and hospital readmissions. The researchers found that establishing accountability for pending tests and home health care via formal service agreeme...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 25, 2015

CeBIT: Panoramas for your tablet

Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed a tablet app called Ultra-HD-Zoom that allows users to navigate and zoom into high-resolution panoramic images. The technology uses ultra-high-definition cameras to capture 360-degree views, making it ideal for live events coverage.