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Science News for September 28, 2015


New research into completers and non-completers of offending behavior programs

A University of Leicester study found that high-risk and impulsive offenders require extra support to complete rehabilitation programs, with non-completers exhibiting higher levels of non-planning impulsivity. The research suggests that these offenders may benefit from additional pre-programme work or ongoing support during the program.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalLegal and Criminological Psychology·DateSep 28, 2015

Study: Ancestral background can be determined by fingerprints

A study found that fingerprint characteristics can identify an individual's ancestral background, with significant differences between European American and African American ancestry. Researchers analyzed right index-finger fingerprints of 243 individuals from diverse backgrounds to determine if patterns were specific to sex or ancestry.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateSep 28, 2015

Identifying problems with national identifiers

Researchers from Harvard University found that Resident Registration Numbers in South Korea can be easily decrypted using computation and logical reasoning. The study reveals vulnerabilities in the encoding system, compromising individual privacy and urging a more robust redesign.

SourceHarvard University·JournalTechnology Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015

Legal drinking age of 18 tied to high school dropout rate

A new study found that lowering the minimum drinking age to 18 in the US was associated with a rise in high school dropout rates. The research suggests that this policy change may have disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including minority students. The study's lead author notes that state policies on drinking ages were ofte...

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateSep 28, 2015

NYC risks future flooding during hurricanes

Researchers found that the return period for a storm producing a surge of 2.81 meters or greater has been reduced from 3,000 years to just 130 years since human-caused climate change began. This increase in storm surges is attributed to rising sea levels and more intense tropical storms.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015

Active senior travelers have different approaches to technology

A study by the University of Eastern Finland found that active senior travelers can be divided into three groups: Adventurous Experimenters, Meticulous Researchers, and Fumbling Observers. The use of technology is closely linked to travel behavior, and each group has unique preferences for destination choice and information technology ...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalInformation Technology & Tourism·DateSep 28, 2015

Scientists decode structure at root of muscular disease

Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have successfully mapped the structural details of leiomodin 2, a protein critical to muscle cell function. The discovery offers a path forward for studying and treating nemaline myopathy, a hereditary disorder that weakens muscles.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015

ACP: Doctors should stratify patients with suspected PE to determine diagnostic strategy

Physicians should use validated clinical prediction rules to estimate pre-test probability of PE. In low-risk patients, D-dimer testing can provide additional risk stratification. Imaging is indicated for high-risk patients or those with a high clinical presentation. Age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds can help determine imaging necessity.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 28, 2015

Heat waves hit heat islands hardest

A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found that extreme temperatures affect urban heat islands more intensely than their nonurban surroundings. This can lead to uncomfortable summers, increased health risks, and higher energy bills for city-dwellers. Climate change projections indicate that cities will be especially vulnerable to th...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 28, 2015

Cancer diagnosis while pregnant should not lead to treatment delay or end of pregnancy

A study of 129 children born after prenatal exposure to cancer treatment found normal mental and heart function, contradicting fears that chemotherapy would harm fetal development. However, premature birth was more frequent among these children than in the general population, suggesting avoiding prematurity is key.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 28, 2015

Immunotherapy superior to chemotherapy for lung cancer in trial involving UTSW

A phase 3 clinical trial found that immunotherapy drug nivolumab improved overall survival and reduced toxicities compared to chemotherapy drug docetaxel for patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The results suggest that nivolumab is a promising option for patients whose lung cancer progresses after initial treatment.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 28, 2015

Predicting arrhythmias so as to prevent them

Scientists have discovered a method to predict certain types of cardiac arrhythmias, allowing for potential prevention and improved heart health. The researchers used mathematical modeling to analyze the transition from normal to abnormal heartbeat patterns in embryonic chicken cells.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015

Unsaturated fats, high-quality carbs lower risk of heart disease

Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats and high-quality carbohydrates has the most impact on reducing the risk of heart disease, according to a new study. Participants who replaced calories from saturated fatty acids with calories from polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, or whole grains had lower risk of coronary heart ...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 28, 2015

Scientists solve deep ocean carbon riddle

Research reveals that hydrothermal vent systems convert long-lived organic carbon into more readily available forms, balancing the continuous supply from surface oceans. This mechanism addresses the long-standing question of why deep ocean dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels remain constant.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 28, 2015

Our brain's secrets to success?

Two studies reveal that the human brain's unique support system and connectivity are associated with higher levels of education, income, and life satisfaction. The research adds to our understanding of the human brain's parts list and enhances scientists' ability to model uniquely human disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 28, 2015

Attacking acute myeloid leukemia

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered a molecule that can halt the growth of cancerous AML cells without harming healthy cells. The molecule, cortistatin A, works by inhibiting two specific kinases that play a key role in the growth of AML cells.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 2015

Breakthroughs need in-depth knowledge, not just cross-collaboration, study shows

A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management suggests that truly innovative breakthroughs need in-depth knowledge in a narrow domain. Most high-impact innovations occur through cross-collaboration, but this research shows that recombining existing knowledge is only one part of the puzzle.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateSep 28, 2015

Self-assembling material that grows and changes shape could lead to artificial arteries

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London developed a method for self-assembling organic molecules into complex tissue-like structures without moulds or 3D printing. This discovery could enable the engineering of tissues like veins, arteries, or the blood-brain barrier, facilitating disease research and implant development.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 28, 2015

Novel tool can identify COPD

A novel approach for identifying patients with undiagnosed clinically-significant COPD has been developed. The new tool consists of several questions that can be used to aid clinicians in finding people with moderate or severe COPD, or those at risk of exacerbations before loss of lung function occurs.

Weight loss surgery offers new hope to children and adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome

A new study published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases found that laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy resulted in significant weight loss in obese pediatric patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome. The surgery showed no apparent negative impact on growth, offering a promising treatment option for these patients.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases·DateSep 28, 2015

Maintaining healthy DNA delays menopause

An international study of nearly 70,000 women found that genes involved in DNA repair play a crucial role in determining when a woman enters menopause. The research also confirmed a link between earlier menopause and lower breast cancer risk, with increased risk associated with delayed menopause.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 28, 2015

Word 'breakthrough' dramatically affects perceptions of a new drug's effectiveness

A recent study by researchers found that FDA's 'breakthrough' designation significantly increases the percentage of people who rate a drug as effective and believe in its strong evidence. The study suggests that neutral terms with clear explanations may help consumers make more accurate judgments about these drugs.

Which dermal fillers 'stick together' best? New method helps plastic surgeons choose the best product

A new method has been developed to standardize ratings of cohesivity for hyaluronic acid (HA) gel fillers, allowing plastic surgeons to choose the product best suited for each procedure. The Gavard-Sundaram scale provides a scientific rationale for selecting fillers with properties that match specific clinical objectives.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateSep 28, 2015

Molecular 'kiss of death' flags pathogens

The immune system marks pathogen-containing vacuoles with ubiquitin to trigger destruction, a process that could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Highly virulent strains block this tagging, making them more resistant to host response.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015