Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2015 - Page 32


Page 32 of 38

Seven strategies to advance women in science

The Initiative on Women in Science and Engineering Working Group presents seven strategies to address gender imbalances in STEM fields, including financial support and education initiatives. The working group aims to elevate the entire field and ensure women have equal opportunities for career advancement.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 5, 2015

Making our highways safer and more efficient

A new study suggests using a Long Distance Commuter lane (LDC) on the M1 Motorway in Australia could accommodate up to 3000 vehicles per hour while minimizing bottlenecks. The LDC concept has potential for commuter travel between other cities in Australia and worldwide.

SourceGriffith University·JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering·DateMar 5, 2015

Relief for diabetics with painful condition

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateMar 5, 2015

Evolving to cope with climate change

A recent study by the University of Connecticut explores the potential of important fish species to adapt to a more acidic ocean due to climate change. The researchers found that related fish had similar lifespans, suggesting a significant genetic component to survival in an acidic environment.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateMar 5, 2015

The tides they are a changin'

Scientists at the University of Southampton found that ocean tides have increased by 1-2 mm per year globally, with some sites experiencing changes comparable to global mean sea level rise. This has significant implications for energy extraction, coastal flooding and erosion, navigation and sediment movement.

Ancient Mongol metallurgy an extreme polluter

A recent study by Graduate Student Aubrey Hillman found that ancient copper and silver production in southwest China produced tremendous quantities of harmful heavy metals, including lead, silver, zinc, and cadmium. The pollution levels were three to four times higher than those generated by modern metallurgical methods.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 5, 2015

Weight-loss surgery can be a safe option for obese children

A new clinical pathway has been shown to significantly reduce complications and improve growth in obese children who undergo weight-reducing procedures. According to the study, the procedure also led to improved management of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateMar 5, 2015

Estimated costs of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure exceed €150 billion annually

A new study estimates that endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in the European Union costs around €157 billion ($209 billion) each year, mainly due to lost productivity and healthcare expenses. The estimated cost burden includes conditions such as lowered IQ, male infertility, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 5, 2015

Cell powerhouse sequencing technology provides deeper look at inherited disease risk

A new sequencing technology called Mseek provides a deeper understanding of how genes in mitochondria influence inherited diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. By accurately identifying heteroplasmy in mtDNA, researchers can better explain individual risks and potentially develop new therapeutic targets.

An alternative to medical marijuana for pain?

Researchers discover cannabinoid CB2 agonist AM1710 suppresses chemotherapy-induced pain in mice without tolerance or withdrawal symptoms. The therapeutic effect of AM1710 is preserved even after repeated dosing and blocking CB1 receptors produces no signs of withdrawal.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 4, 2015

Family interventions reduce smoking rates in children and adolescents

A global review found family-based programs can effectively stop children from taking up smoking, with high-intensity interventions showing the most promising results. The programs encourage parents to set limits, strengthen nurturing skills, and discuss substances with their adolescents, helping them resist peer pressure.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateMar 4, 2015

Strength in numbers

Quantum physicists at the University of California - Santa Barbara have developed a quantum circuitry system that self-checks for errors and suppresses them, preserving qubits' state(s) and imbuing the system with reliability. The system uses the surface code scheme to detect errors based on parity information.

L.A. story: Cleaner air, healthier kids

A 20-year study found that improved air quality in Southern California led to significant gains in lung function development among millennial children. Lung growth accelerated as air pollution declined, resulting in lower rates of abnormally low lung function and reduced risks of respiratory disease.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2015