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Science News Archive July 2016 - Page 5


Page 5 of 36

Treating pain without feeding addiction: Study shows promise of non-drug pain management

A new study shows that a non-drug approach combining behavioral therapy and social support can effectively manage chronic pain in individuals with addiction, improving their ability to function and reducing substance use. The low-cost approach, called ImPAT, has the potential to be widely adopted by addiction treatment centers worldwide.

Reperfusion therapy type for heart attacks seems less important than assuring that all eligible patients receive timely treatment

A recent study found that patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate, regardless of the type of hospital they were treated in. The researchers emphasized the importance of improving healthcare systems to facilitate timely treatment and reduce delays.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateJul 27, 2016

Switch from observation only to active treatment by prostate cancer patients varies by race/ethnicity

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that non-Hispanic black men were more likely than white men to begin active treatment for low-risk prostate cancer, independent of clinical measures. Ethnicity influenced this decision, suggesting a need for greater attention to race/ethnicity in disease management.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateJul 27, 2016

The brain's super-sensitivity to curbs

Cognitive scientists at Johns Hopkins University found two distinct brain regions responding to visual boundaries and obstacles. The parahippocampal place area reacts to visual structures like curbs and walls, while the retrosplenial complex responds to taller, more imposing boundaries.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJul 27, 2016

Gene therapy for metabolic liver diseases shows promise in pigs

A new gene therapy approach has shown promising results in treating hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1), a metabolic disorder characterized by progressive liver disease. The treatment involves transplanting corrected liver cells into the diseased liver, resulting in enzyme production and preventing liver failure.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 27, 2016

NZ wren DNA analysis reshapes geological theory

A DNA study of New Zealand's acanthisittid wrens has provided evidence that the country was not completely submerged under the ocean around 21 to 25 million years ago. The research found divergences among the species, suggesting they have been resident in New Zealand for over 25 million years.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·DateJul 27, 2016

More power to you

Engineers from the University of Utah and Minnesota have discovered that interfacing two oxide compounds makes them highly conductive, producing a hundred times more free electrons than semiconductors. This innovation could lead to smaller power supplies and devices with reduced energy consumption, such as laptops and home appliances.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAPL Materials·DateJul 26, 2016

Researchers printed energy-producing photographs

The researchers successfully created dye-sensitized solar cells with inkjet-printed photovoltaic dyes, achieving efficiency and durability comparable to traditional methods. The printed solar cells endured over 1,000 hours of continuous light and heat stress without degradation.

SourceAalto University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 26, 2016

Substantial growth in ordering of CTA exams in Medicare population

The study found significant growth in CTA exams per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, increasing from 2.1 in 2001 to 47.6 in 2013, with chest CTA utilization rising the most. CTA services grew most rapidly in ED settings, with the percentage of studies performed annually in EDs increasing from 11% in 2001 to 28% in 2014.

SourceHarvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateJul 26, 2016