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BMC (BioMed Central)


How the brain copes with multi tasking alters with age

A new study found that the brain's pattern of blood flow in the prefrontal cortex alters with age during multitasking. Healthy older people had a higher and more sustained increase in oxygenated haemoglobin, indicating increased brain activity. This change is associated with normal aging and may impact dual-task performance.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateJan 17, 2013

What did our ancestors look like?

A new study uses DNA analysis to reconstruct hair and eye color from ancient human remains, confirming the blue eyes and blond hair of a Polish general. The HIrisPlex system was also able to identify details from medieval samples, including a mysterious woman buried in a 12th-14th century crypt.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalInvestigative Genetics·DateJan 13, 2013

Cheating slime mold gets the upper hand

A 'cheater' mutation in Dictyostelium discoideum allows it to exploit its social partner by reducing the ability of normal Dictyostelium to form spores. This enables the cheater strain to outcompete wild type for survival and resources, with no observed fitness cost or impairment to lifespan.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateJan 8, 2013

Songbird sings in 3D

A study published in BMC Biology has generated interactive 3D models of the zebra finch's syrinx, a complex vocal organ. The models reveal the delicate balance between strength and lightness required to control sound production at superfast speeds.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateJan 7, 2013

Counting the cost of mercury pollution

A new study estimates that up to 1.5 million EU children are born each year with mercury exposures above the safe limit, resulting in a potential lifetime earning loss of €8-9 million per person. Exposure reduction could equate to €10 billion per year in benefits.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateJan 6, 2013

Newborn baby screening for fragile X syndrome

A large-scale study on newborn screening for fragile X syndrome reveals the high prevalence of the premutation allele among carriers. The research identifies one in 209 females and one in 430 males with the premutation, highlighting the need for better understanding of its impact on families and systems.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Medicine·DateDec 20, 2012

Wearable technology can monitor rehabilitation

Researchers from Italy have developed a wearable system that uses strain sensors to monitor human trunk movements and estimate flexibility. The device will enable remote monitoring of physiotherapy exercises at home or during everyday tasks, providing an advancement in portable rehabilitation tracking.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBioMedical Engineering OnLine·DateDec 13, 2012

What it is to be a queen bee?

A new study by Nayuta Brand and Michel Chapuisat found that queen sweat bees restrict the amount of food provided to their first brood, resulting in smaller female workers. This 'choosing' behavior ensures that daughters become workers rather than queens.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateDec 9, 2012

Engineering plants for biofuels

Researchers successfully engineered Arabidopsis plants to reduce xylan content and improve breakdown of carbohydrate into simple sugars. The resulting plants exhibit improved saccharification properties, allowing for better production of biofuels from plant biomass.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBiotechnology for Biofuels·DateNov 25, 2012

Sizing up biomass from space

Researchers developed a new randomization protocol to accurately estimate total biomass in forests. The GLAS approach shows promise in standardizing global forest biomass inventory and improving spatial and temporal coverage.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCarbon Balance and Management·DateOct 30, 2012

Smoking causes asthma in second generation offspring

Researchers found that maternal smoking during pregnancy increases lung function issues in children and grandchildren due to increased levels of proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The effects are so long-lasting that stop-smoking education for expectant mothers is necessary.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateOct 29, 2012

Not all juvenile arthritis is the same

Researchers identified molecular pathways involved in both systemic and arthritic components of SJIA, revealing differences in affected organs. The study found that glucocorticoid signalling was more heavily involved in inflammation associated with SJIA, highlighting the need for tailored treatment plans.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateOct 22, 2012

Adding up autism risks

A new study published in Molecular Autism found that common genetic variations can add up to increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. The research, which analyzed data from over one million participants, suggests that inherited risk is additive and can significantly impact an individual's likelihood of developing ASD.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMolecular Autism·DateOct 14, 2012

The genetics of HIV-1 resistance

Researchers discovered polymorphisms in HIV-1 that improve resistance to drugs, even without the medication. This finding has significant implications for treating HIV-1 infection, as it suggests newly infected individuals can be drug-resistant before treatment.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalRetrovirology·DateOct 2, 2012

Breast cancer recurrence defined by hormone receptor status

New research reveals that women with HER2 positive breast cancer that is also hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptor negative have an increased risk of early death and less likely to recur in bone compared to those with hormone-sensitive cancer. The study suggests HR status defines two different subsets of HER2 positive cancers.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateSep 30, 2012

The genetics of white finger disease

A study published in Clinical Epigenetics found that individuals with a specific genetic variation in SIRT1 are more likely to develop vibration-induced white finger disease. The research suggests that testing for this variant before starting work with vibrating machinery could prevent years of pain and disability.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalClinical Epigenetics·DateSep 30, 2012

Helicopter heroes save lives

A multi-centre study in France found that patients transported by helicopter had a lower risk of death compared to those transported by road. The benefit was seen even after adjusting for severity of injury. Helicopter transport saves lives for the most severely injured patients, despite being a costly and limited resource.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateSep 27, 2012

Honey bees fight back against Varroa

Researchers discovered specific proteins in honey bees that help them resist Varroa mite infestations. These proteins enable the removal of infected larvae and reduce mite populations, promoting the survival of the species. This natural approach could provide a solution to Colony Collapse Disorder.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateSep 27, 2012