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Yale University


Despite hype, costly prostate cancer treatment offers little relief from side effects

A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that proton radiotherapy provides minimal relief from side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction compared to standard radiation treatment IMRT. The study revealed no long-term benefits for proton therapy, despite high costs.

SourceYale University·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 13, 2012

Smoking in pregnancy tied to lower reading scores

Researchers at Yale University have found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower reading scores in children. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 children and found that those exposed to high levels of nicotine scored 21% lower on reading accuracy and comprehension tasks.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateNov 19, 2012

Skin cells reveal DNA's genetic mosaic

Researchers at Yale University have discovered that genetic variations are common in the body's tissues, with 30% of skin cells harboring copy number variations. This finding has significant implications for genetic screening and our understanding of human development and disease.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2012

For the Milky Way, it's snack time

Researchers have discovered a narrow stellar stream in the southern Galactic sky, believed to be the remnant of an ancient star cluster being ingested by the Milky Way. This finding provides new insight into how galaxies form and evolve through hierarchical merging of smaller galaxies and star clusters.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 25, 2012

Solar power is contagious

A Yale University study found that residents in areas with existing solar installations are more likely to adopt the technology, with a 54% increase in adoption when the installed base grows by 10%. The visibility of panels and word-of-mouth also play a role in larger installations.

SourceYale University·JournalMarketing Science·DateOct 18, 2012

Nearby super-Earth likely a diamond planet

Astronomers have identified a super-Earth called 55 Cancri e as a likely diamond planet, composed primarily of carbon in the form of graphite and diamond. The planet's mass is eight times greater than Earth's, and it orbits its star at hyper speed, with a surface temperature of about 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 11, 2012

Palm oil massive source of carbon dioxide

A new study reveals that expanding palm oil production is driving massive carbon dioxide emissions and rainforest destruction in Indonesian Borneo. The sector's growth has cleared about 16,000 square kilometers of forestland since 1990, accounting for 60% of Kalimantan's total forest cover loss.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 10, 2012

Northern conifers youngest of the species

A Yale University study found that most Northern conifer species emerged within the past 5 million years, with mountainous environments driving the formation of new species. The researchers also discovered significant differences in conifer evolutionary dynamics between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2012

Ancient mollusk tells a contrary story

A new fossil discovery provides evidence that simpler worm-like mollusks evolved from more complex shelled brethren, rather than the other way around. The find clarifies evolutionary relationships among mollusks, including oysters and mussels.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2012

Hurricane Irene polluted Catskills watershed

A Yale University study reveals that Hurricane Irene polluted the Catskill watershed, darkening lakes and affecting the Ashokan Reservoir that supplies New York City with drinking water. The storm dumped unprecedented amounts of dissolved organic matter into the reservoir, equivalent to 43% of its average annual export.

SourceYale University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 26, 2012

Rapid urban expansion threatens biodiversity

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences predicts that rapid urban expansion will have significant impacts on global biodiversity hotspots. By 2030, urban areas are expected to expand by over 463,000 square miles, coinciding with infrastructure development that will transform land cover and cities globally.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2012

Diseased trees new source of climate gas

Researchers at Yale University have discovered that diseased trees in forests can produce massive amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The estimated emission rate from an upland site is equivalent to burning 40 gallons of gasoline per hectare of forest per year.

SourceYale University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 7, 2012

Clean cookstoves unaffordable to Bangladeshi women

A Yale study found that traditional stoves are preferred in rural Bangladesh over modern, cleaner alternatives due to affordability concerns. The demand for non-traditional cookstoves is low and highly sensitive to price, highlighting the need for affordable, effective solutions.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2012

Top predators key to extinctions as planet warms

Research suggests that top predators play a crucial role in extinction risk, as they can amplify the effects of climate change on other species. Studying these biotic multipliers and their interactions with other species is essential to improve predictions of climate change impacts.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateJun 21, 2012

Preserved frogs hold clues to deadly pathogen

A Yale graduate student has developed a method for detecting an infectious pathogen driving amphibian extinctions worldwide. By analyzing preserved specimens, she found evidence of the pathogen in six older samples from Connecticut, revealing its early presence in the region.

SourceYale University·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateJun 20, 2012

Wing bling: For female butterflies, flashier is better

A Yale University study found that female butterflies learn to favor males with four spots on their wings, a novel mechanism for evolving morphological diversity. The researchers discovered that females can change their mating preferences after short exposure to different wing patterns.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 11, 2012

A new method for picking the 'right' egg in IVF

Researchers have identified a new method for picking the 'right' egg in IVF by analyzing genes expressed in cumulus cells surrounding the eggs. This non-invasive approach may help avoid abnormal eggs with incorrect chromosomal make-up, increasing the chances of successful IVF cycles.

SourceYale University·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateJun 1, 2012

Aggressively controlling glucose levels may not reduce kidney failure in Type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Yale University found that intensively controlling glucose levels did not definitively reduce the risk of impaired kidney function, dialysis, or death from kidney disease. The study suggests that patients may not be better off with this approach and questions the benefits of aggressive glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes

SourceYale University·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMay 28, 2012

In drug-approval race, US FDA ahead of Canada, Europe

A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that the US FDA generally approves drug therapies faster and earlier than its counterparts in Canada and Europe. On average, it took 322 days for the FDA to review a drug application, compared to 366 days for the European Medicines Agency and 393 days for Health Canada.

SourceYale University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 16, 2012

Americans support national clean-energy standard

A Yale University study found that most Americans are willing to pay a premium for electricity in support of a national clean-energy standard. The average U.S. citizen is willing to pay $162 per year in higher electricity bills to support an 80% clean energy goal by 2035, but support varies among different demographics.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 13, 2012

Oil palm surging source of greenhouse gas emissions

A National Academy of Sciences study found that oil palm expansion will lead to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions, with peatlands being a critical contributor. The researchers suggest protecting forests, peatlands, and implementing sustainable practices to reduce emissions and maintain forest cover.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2012