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Science News Archive June 2016 - Page 19


Page 19 of 40

Diverting redirection spam

Researchers have developed a system that uses fuzzy logic to analyze web addresses and detect redirection spam. The system provides an extra layer of security against phishing and malware attacks by assigning a probability to whether a suspicious link is safe or spam.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJun 16, 2016

Canadian forests a refuge as warming creeps north

A Harvard University study forecasts that boreal forests in far-northern latitudes may act as a climate refuge for black spruce trees due to higher rainfall. The research also suggests that the region's growing season will expand by 3 weeks, but drought stress could overwhelm trees south of the 49th parallel.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJun 16, 2016

'Disease outbreak guarantees' -- A proposed mechanism for enhancing public health capacity

Researchers suggest using MIGA to incentivize development of public health systems and provide coverage for disease outbreaks. The mechanism would encourage beneficiary countries to establish core capacities as set forth by the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalInternational Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics·DateJun 16, 2016

How older people learn

Researchers found that learning and training improve perception in older adults, despite degraded tactile perception. Computer simulations revealed that the brain's compensatory mechanism is strengthened, resulting in enhanced brain activity and improved perception.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 16, 2016

Stem cell transplant from young to old can heal stomach ulcers

Researchers discovered that stem cells isolated from young mice can accelerate repair of stomach ulcers when transplanted into older mice. Additionally, studies redefined the role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease and found potential therapeutic applications for acute alcoholic liver disease using a scavenger compound.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateJun 16, 2016

Lab-grown nerve cells make heart cells throb

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown lab-grown human nerve cells that can partner with heart muscle cells to stimulate contractions. The nerve cells, derived from pluripotent stem cells, were found to connect with and control heart muscle cells, similar to their natural counterparts.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 16, 2016

Pitch range produced by vocal cords

Scientists found that the range of frequencies produced by vocal cords depends on their stretchiness and stiffness. This discovery has implications for treating damaged vocal cords and improving singing techniques. The researchers used data from 16 species, including humans, to develop a model that explains how the cord's properties af...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 16, 2016

Vitamin D may not be the great solution to health problems

A recent review by University of Alberta researchers found little evidence to support the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for various health conditions. Strongest effects were seen in reducing falls and fractures among the elderly. Moderate supplementation is unlikely to cause harm but will not lead to significant health benefits.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 16, 2016

Presurgery chemotherapy may make advanced ovarian cancers responsive to immunotherapy

Research suggests that patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent pre-surgical chemotherapy showed altered immune cells in their tumors, indicating a potential increase in effectiveness of immunotherapy after treatment. This study found evidence of activation of certain T cells and reduction of immune suppressive cells in pati...

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJun 15, 2016

The Muffin Study: Mono- vs. polyunsaturated fats in patients with metabolic syndrome

A recent clinical trial found that patients with metabolic syndrome who consumed muffins enriched with safflower oil (PUFA) lost more weight and showed greater health improvements than those consuming muffins made with sunflower oil (MUFA). This is a significant finding, as the study suggests that PUFA may be a better choice for managi...

SourceUniversity of Maryland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Lipidology·DateJun 15, 2016