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Science News Archive September 2015 - Page 5


Page 5 of 35

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