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Science News Archive December 2016 - Page 15


Page 15 of 32

Do most Mount Everest climbers use medications, and should they?

A recent study found that less than half of Mount Everest climbers report using medications on climbs, with acetazolamide being the most commonly used to prevent altitude sickness. The research suggests that rumors of widespread drug abuse among climbers are unfounded and that medication use is primarily for legitimate health purposes.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHigh Altitude Medicine & Biology·DateDec 14, 2016

The galloping evolution in seahorses

A international research collaboration sequenced the entire seahorse genome, revealing gene losses and duplications that enabled specialized traits such as male pregnancy and armored body. The study provides insights into evolutionary mechanisms driving biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature·DateDec 14, 2016

Technology communication: Worries through information?

A recent study by KIT researchers found that communication of risks related to mobile phones can have unintended consequences. Information on efficient precautions was found to lead to an increased risk perception by recipients, highlighting the need for a better understanding of how messages about precautions affect public perception.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateDec 14, 2016

Optical tractor beam traps bacteria

Bielefeld University physicists develop new method to study biological cells using optical tractor beams, allowing for superresolution images of DNA in single bacteria. The technique enables researchers to rotate and move bacterial cells at will, enabling the study of three-dimensional cellular structures.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 14, 2016

Researchers add to evidence that common bacterial cause of gum disease may drive rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers found a common bacterial cause of gum disease may trigger rheumatoid arthritis by inducing hypercitrullination, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. A study published in Science Translational Medicine identified Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as the primary pathogen responsible for this process.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 14, 2016

Kelp beats the heat

Marine scientists studied the response of giant kelp forests to a record-breaking marine heat wave, finding that their biomass remained within normal ranges despite high temperatures. The lack of dramatic response suggests that more research is needed to understand how these ecosystems will respond to future climate warming.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 13, 2016

Sustained enjoyment in older age linked to longer life

A study published in The BMJ found that sustained enjoyment of life over several years is associated with lower mortality. Researchers analyzed data from 9,365 participants aged 50 and older, finding a dose-response association between sustained wellbeing and reduced risk of death.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 13, 2016

Study links nutrition to brain health and intelligence in older adults

A study by University of Illinois researchers links higher blood serum levels of lutein to better performance on crystallized intelligence tests in older adults. Participants with higher lutein levels also showed thicker gray matter in the parahippocampal cortex, a brain region associated with preserved cognitive function.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateDec 13, 2016

Researchers identify biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic disease

A team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health has uncovered a possible biochemical mechanism behind ACDC disease, which causes calcium buildup in the arteries. The study suggests that treating this condition with drugs like etidronate could help reduce calcification and potentially lead to an effective treatment.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalScience Signaling·DateDec 13, 2016

Feeling grateful? No, thanks!

A new study by American University professor Anthony Ahrens reveals a surprising link between autonomy and gratitude. Individuals high in autonomy tend to experience less gratitude and value it less, suggesting that self-reliance may hinder social connections.

SourceAmerican University·JournalCognition & Emotion·DateDec 13, 2016