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Science News Archive March 2016 - Page 33


Page 33 of 41

Predicting avoidable 30-day readmissions

A multicenter study found that the HOSPITAL score accurately predicted patients at high risk of a 30-day potentially avoidable readmission. Patients identified as high risk were four times more likely to be readmitted within 30 days, and the score showed an excellent ability to identify these patients.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 7, 2016

Potential Western Atlantic spawning area found for Atlantic bluefin tuna

Scientists have identified a new potential spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Slope Sea off the northeastern US coast. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of a single Gulf of Mexico spawning area, suggesting that western Atlantic bluefin may be less vulnerable to fishing and stressors.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2016

Spider toxin analogue may help relieve pain

A spider toxin analogue, PnPP-19, has shown promise in relieving pain by targeting nervous system receptors similar to opioids and cannabis. The compound is also being studied for erectile dysfunction treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateMar 7, 2016

Combining 2 techniques to 'rewire' the brain may improve arm and hand movement for stroke survivors

A new study found that combining peripheral nerve stimulation with constraint-based therapy enhances recovery of movement in the affected arm and hand, even after one year after a stroke. The technique takes advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity to reorganize or 'rewire' itself after injury.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·DateMar 7, 2016

CNIO scientists have discovered a code of signals that regulates genome duplication

Researchers at CNIO have discovered a code of signals that regulates the concentration of proteins involved in genome duplication. The USP7 protein acts as a traffic officer, eliminating ubiquitin marks to favor protein accumulation and DNA copying. This balance is essential for accurate genome replication.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 7, 2016

Leaf mysteries revealed through the computer's eye

A computer program developed by researchers can categorize leaves into large evolutionary categories, leading to improved fossil identification and a better understanding of flowering plant evolution. The method achieves a 72% accuracy rate over 19 leaf families compared to random chance.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2016

Healthy lifestyle advice provides long-term benefits

A study found that men who received healthy lifestyle advice for five years had a sustained 29% reduced risk of death from first heart attack, even after 40 years. Participants were advised to reduce saturated fats and increase fish and vegetable consumption.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateMar 7, 2016

Retail clinics may increase health spending, study finds

A recent study published in Health Affairs found that retail clinic visits may not be as cost-effective as previously thought. The research suggests that the convenience of retail clinics can lead to increased spending on new medical care, outweighing any potential savings from reduced office or emergency department visits.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 7, 2016

Lack of stem cells to blame for recurrent miscarriages

Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a lack of stem cells in the womb lining is causing thousands of women to suffer from recurrent miscarriages. The team believes a new treatment could bring hope to those who have suffered failed pregnancies, correcting defects before pregnancy and potentially preventing miscarriages.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 7, 2016

The expansion of the universe simulated

Physicists at Université de Genève developed a new code that simulates the rotation of space-time and gravitational waves in the formation of large-scale structures. This allows for more precise calculations than current codes, enabling the study of dark energy's role in the universe's expansion.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 7, 2016

Scaling up tissue engineering

Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed a method for bioprinting thick vascularized tissue constructs composed of human stem cells and extracellular matrix. The resulting tissues can sustain and function as living architectures for upwards of six weeks, enabling controlled perfusion of fluids, nutrients, and cell growth factors.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2016

Warming up optoelectronic research

A team of US/UK physicists has developed a new material that can control excitons at room temperature, making it easier to manipulate these bound pairs of electrons and electron holes. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new optoelectronic devices for commercial applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 7, 2016