Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
Nature
Neuroscience
Evidence
appears to show how and where frontal lobe works
Brown University's David
Badre, an assistant professor of cognitive and
linguistic sciences, and colleagues at the University of California,
Berkeley, mapped parts of the brain that control abstract or concrete
decision making by studying stroke patients. Their findings will be
published March 1 in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
National Institutes of Health,
Veterans Administration Research Service, National Research Service Contact: Mark Hollmer
Mark_Hollmer@brown.edu
401-863-1862
Brown
University
Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
Annual
Meeting of the School Nutrition Association
Names
turn preschoolers into vegetable lovers
Do you have a picky
preschooler who's avoiding their vegetables? A new
Cornell University study shows that giving vegetables catchy new names
-- like "X-Ray Vision Carrots" and "Tomato Bursts" -- left preschoolers
asking for more.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Contact: Jennifer Cole Noble
jlc395@cornell.edu
607-254-6302
Cornell Food
& Brand Lab
Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences
Human
vaccine against bird flu a reality with new discovery
A vaccine to protect
humans from a bird flu pandemic is within reach
after a new discovery by researchers at the University of Melbourne,
Australia.
Contact: Rebecca Scott
rebeccas@unimelb.edu.au
61-383-440-181
University of
Melbourne
Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
Biological
Psychiatry
1
drug may help people both lay down the drink and put out the cigarette
A popular smoking
cessation drug dramatically reduced the amount a
heavy drinker will consume, a new Yale School of Medicine study has
found.
Heavy-drinking smokers in a laboratory setting were much less likely to
drink after taking the drug varenicline compared to those taking a
placebo, according to a study published online in the journal
Biological Psychiatry.
National Institutes of Health Contact: Bill Hathaway
william.hathaway@yale.edu
203-432-1322
Yale University
Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
FASEB
Journal
Technique
may help stem cells generate solid organs, Stanford study shows
Stem cells can thrive in
segments of well-vascularized tissue
temporarily removed from laboratory animals, say researchers at the
Stanford University School of Medicine.
Contact: Krista Conger
kristac@stanford.edu
650-725-5371
Stanford
University Medical Center
Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences
Scripps
research scientists engineer new type of vaccination that provides
instant immunity
A team of scientists at
the Scripps Research Institute has found a way
to use specially programmed chemicals to elicit an immediate immune
response in laboratory animals against two types of cancer.
Skaggs Institute for Chemical
Biology, National Institutes of Health Contact: Mika Ono
mikaono@scripps.edu
858-784-2052
Scripps Research
Institute
Public Release:
2-Mar-2009
Journal of
Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Epstein-Barr
virus may be associated with progression of MS
Epstein-Barr virus, the
pathogen that causes mononucleosis, appears to
play a role in the neurodegeneration that occurs in persons with
multiple sclerosis, researchers at the University at Buffalo and the
University of Trieste, Italy, have shown.
Consortium for International
Development, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pediatric MS Center
of Excellence Center Contact: Lois Baker
ljbaker@buffalo.edu
716-645-5000 x1417
University at Buffalo
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
JAMA
Certain
combined medications following heart attack may increase risk of death
Following an acute
coronary syndrome such as a heart attack or unstable
angina, patients who receive a medication to reduce the risk of
gastrointestinal bleeding that may be associated with the use of the
antiplatelet drug clopidogrel and aspirin have an increased risk of
subsequent hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or death,
according to a study in the March 4 issue of JAMA.
Contact: Christina White
christina.white@va.gov
303-393-5205
JAMA and Archives
Journals
Public Release: 3-Mar-2009
Psychological Bulletin
Lack
of ability does not explain women's decisions to opt out of
math-intensive science careers
Women don't choose
careers in math-intensive fields, such as computer
science, physics, technology, engineering, chemistry, and higher
mathematics, because they want the flexibility to raise children, or
because they prefer other fields of science that are less
math-intensive -- not because they lack mathematical ability, according
to a new study.
Contact: Public Affairs
public.affairs@apa.org
202-336-5707
American Psychological
Association
Public Release: 3-Mar-2009
Molecular
Psychiatry
Schizophrenia
linked to signaling problems in new brain study
Schizophrenia could be
caused by faulty signaling in the brain,
according to new research published today in the journal Molecular
Psychiatry. In the biggest study of its kind, scientists looking in
detail at brain samples donated by people with the condition have
identified 49 genes that work differently in the brains of
schizophrenia patients compared to controls.
Contact: Lucy Goodchild
lucy.goodchild@imperial.ac.uk
44-020-759-46712
Imperial College
London
Gutsy
bloodworms pump out laughing gas
A ruby-red
midge larva is the first water-dwelling organism found to be producing
the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide
22:00
02 March 2009
Really?
The
Claim: Morning Is the Best Time to Exercise
Is there a mental boost connected to exercising in the morning?
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Rewards
for Students Under a Microscope
Are there benefits to paying students for good performance in school?
By LISA GUERNSEY
Basics
In
a Helpless Baby, the Roots of Our Social Glue
Babies display many of the characteristics that distinguish us from
other animals.
By NATALIE ANGIER
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Obesity
linked to hormone imbalance that impacts sexual quality of life
Hormonal changes and
diminished sexual quality of life among obese men
are related to the degree of obesity, and both are improved after
gastric bypass surgery according to a new study accepted for
publication in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Contact: Aaron Lohr
alohr@endo-society.org
240-482-1380
The Endocrine
Society
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
New
study reveals: Gifted children shape their personalities according to
social stigma
Gifted youths already
know what they want to be when they grow up. They
usually choose to study applied sciences, but when they are asked why
they made their choices, they are not able to explain. "Society
identifies the gifted child with high intelligence and is often hasty
to identify this intelligence with specific subjects, especially exact
or prestigious sciences. The maturing children are quick to adopt this
identity, renouncing the process of building self-identity."
Contact: Rachel Feldman
rfeldman@univ.haifa.ac.il
972-482-88722
University of Haifa
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
International Journal of Environment and Pollution
Fowl
soil additive breaks down crude oil
It is an unlikely
application, but researchers in China have discovered
that chicken manure can be used to biodegrade crude oil in contaminated
soil. Writing in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution
the team explains how bacteria in chicken manure break down 50 percent
more crude oil than soil lacking the guano.
Contact: Huiwen Ma
86-755-260-37918
Inderscience
Publishers
Public Release: 3-Mar-2009
American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition
Moderate
alcohol intake associated with bone protection
In an epidemiological
study of men and post-menopausal women primarily
over 60 years of age, regular moderate alcohol intake was associated
with greater bone mineral density. Associations were strongest for beer
and wine and, importantly, BMD was significantly lower in men drinking
more than two servings of liquor per day.
US Department of Agriculture,
National Institutes of Health, Institute
of Brewing and Distilling, Frances and Augustus Newman Foundation,
Government of Thailand Contact: Andrea Grossman
andrea.grossman@tufts.edu
617-636-3718
Tufts University, Health
Sciences
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Earth's
highest known microbial systems fueled by volcanic gases
Gases rising from deep
within the Earth are fueling the world's
highest-known microbial ecosystems, which have been detected near the
rim of the 19,850-foot-high Socompa volcano in the Andes by a
University of Colorado at Boulder research team.
National Geographic Society, National Science Foundation Contact: Steve Schmidt
steve.schmidt@colorado.edu
303-492-6248
University of
Colorado at Boulder
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
Half
in US see another country emerging as world's technological leader
Half of all Americans
expect another country to emerge this century as
the world's leader in addressing technological challenges that range
from the economy to global warming, according to a survey of US public
opinion released Tuesday by Duke University.
Duke University Contact: Richard Merritt
richard.merritt@duke.edu
919-660-8414
Duke University
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
European Journal of Neuroscience
Musicians
have biological advantage in identifying emotion in sound
Looking for a mate who in
everyday conversation can pick up your most
subtle emotional cues? Find a musician, scientists say. A study in the
European Journal of Neuroscience for the first time provides biological
evidence that musical training enhances the ability to recognize
emotion in sound. "Quickly and accurately identifying emotion has
implications in all arenas of interpersonal communication, whether in
the predator-infested jungle or classroom, boardroom or bedroom," said
a study co-author.
National Science Foundation Contact: Wendy Leopold
w-leopold@northwestern.edu
847-491-4890
Northwestern
University
Public Release:
3-Mar-2009
Circulation Research
New
study shows how spikes in nitrite can have a lasting impact on the heart
A new study provides
insight into how a short burst in nitrite can
exert lasting beneficial effects on the heart, protecting it from
stress and assaults such as heart attacks. In this study,researchers at
Boston University School of Medicine have demonstrated for the first
time that short elevations in circulating levels of this simple anion
are sufficient to have a lasting impact on the heart by modulating its
oxidation status and its protein machinery.
National Institutes of Health, NIH/National Heart Lung and Blood
Institute, NIH/National Center for Research Resources Contact: Gina DiGravio
gina.digravio@bmc.org
617-638-8491
Boston University
Mind
Liked
the Show? Maybe It Was the Commercials
Hate commercials? They may enhance your television-viewing experience.
By BENEDICT CAREY
Lazy spider steals from the mouths of ants
Menemerus bivittatus is one of three species of jumping spider that steal food from ant columns (Image: Simon Pollard)
An
African jumping spider has been observed raiding ant columns for food –
a tactic which may help it pick out the juiciest meals from its
cluttered webs
13:45 04 March 2009
Jellyfish sushi: Seafood's slimy future
With many commercial seafood species close to collapse, it's time to look for tasty alternatives, says Caroline Williams
FEATURE: 18:00 04 March 2009
Public Release:
4-Mar-2009
American Psychosomatic Society 67th Annual Scientific Meeting
Heart
hazards of woeful wives
Women in strained marriages are more likely to feel depressed and
suffer high blood pressure, obesity and other signs of "metabolic
syndrome," a group of risk factors for heart disease, stroke and
diabetes, University of Utah psychologists found. The same study found
men in strained marriages also are more likely to feel depressed, yet
-- unlike women -- do not face an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
Contact: Lee Siegel
leesiegel@ucomm.utah.edu
801-581-8993
University of UtahPublic Release: 4-Mar-2009
Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences
Antibody
key to treating variant CJD, scientists find
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have determined the atomic
structure of the "binding" between a brain protein and an antibody that
could be key to treating patients with diseases such as variant CJD.
Contact: Samantha Martin
samantha.martin@liv.ac.uk
44-151-794-2248
University of LiverpoolPublic Release: 4-Mar-2009
Geology
Mountain
on Mars may answer big question
The Martian volcano Olympus Mons is about three times the height of
Mount Everest, but it's the small details that Rice University
professors Patrick McGovern and Julia Morgan are looking at in thinking
about whether the Red Planet ever had -- or still supports -- life.
Contact: David Ruth
druth@rice.edu
713-348-6327
Rice UniversityPublic Release: 4-Mar-2009
Journal of Nutrition
Is
one diet as good as another? U of I study says no and tells you why
Any diet will do? Not if you want to lose fat instead of muscle. Not if
you want to lower your triglyceride levels so you'll be less likely to
develop diabetes and heart disease. Not if you want to avoid cravings
that tempt you to cheat on your diet. And not if you want to keep the
weight off long-term.
National Cattlemen's Beef Association, The Beef Checkoff, Kraft Foods
Contact: Phyllis Picklesimer
p-pickle@uiuc.edu
217-244-2827
University of Illinois at
Urbana-ChampaignPublic Release: 4-Mar-2009
Journal of American Geriatrics
Society
Mortality
risk greater for elderly women who nap daily
A new study appearing in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has
found that older women who reported taking daily naps had a
significantly greater risk of dying. The results of the study are in
contrast to a number of prior studies which have indicated that daily
napping improves health.
Contact: Sean Wagner
medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net
781-388-8550
Wiley-BlackwellObama goes 'all in' for science
The
full scope of President Barack Obama's agenda to revitalise the US
economy has now been revealed, and it is arguably the biggest gamble on
science and technology ever
THIS WEEK:
18:00 04 March 2009
Editorial: The pitfalls of Obama's science bonanzaA
REVOLUTION is under way in the US that will affect the entire world
orchestrated by a president and Congress convinced that the
future of the economy lies in science and technology. Under normal
circumstances, this might lead to modest budget increases for research,
and a supportive environment. But with the economy in a state of
collapse, and long-neglected problems, these are extraordinary times,
and they have prompted extraordinary action. 04 March 2009
Public Release: 4-Mar-2009
Journal of Orthopedic Research
Immune reaction to metal debris leads to early failure of joint implants
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have identified a key
immunological defense reaction to the metals in joint replacement
devices, leading to loosening of the components and early failure.
National Institutes of Health
Contact: Sharon Butler
Sharon_Butler@rush.edu
312-942-7816
Rush University Medical CenterPublic Release: 4-Mar-2009
American Psychosomatic Society 67th Annual Scientific Meeting
Depression increases risk for heart disease more than genetics or environment
A history of major depression increases the risk of heart disease over
and above any genetic risks common to depression and heart disease,
according to researchers at the School of Medicine and the VA. The
findings are reported this week at the annual meeting of the American
Psychosomatic Society this week in Chicago.
National Institutes of Health, Veterans Administration
Contact: Jim Dryden
jdryden@wustl.edu
314-286-0110
Washington University School of Medicine
Horses tamed earlier than thoughtHorses were domesticated much earlier than previously thought, according to a team of researchers.
5 March 2009
Public Release: 5-Mar-2009
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Ecologists propose first prevention for white-nose syndrome death in bats
White-nose syndrome is a poorly understood condition that, in the two
years since its discovery, has spread to at least seven Northeastern
states and killed as many as half a million bats. Now researchers have
suggested the first step toward a measure that may help save the
affected bats: providing localized heat sources to the hibernating
animals.Contact: Christine Buckley
christine@esa.org
202-833-8773
Ecological Society of AmericaPublic Release: 5-Mar-2009
Science
Researchers' new goal: Drug-free remission for HIV infection
A group including leading academic and industry scientists has issued a
challenge to researchers in the field of HIV/AIDS: find a way to
effectively purge latent HIV infection and eliminate the need for
chronic, suppressive therapy to control this disease.
Contact: Debra Kain
ddkain@ucsd.edu
619-543-6163
University of California - San DiegoPublic Release: 5-Mar-2009
Cell
Breakthrough produces Parkinson's patient-specific stem cells free of harmful reprogramming genes
Deploying a method that removes potentially cancer-causing genes,
Whitehead Institute researchers have "reprogrammed" human skin cells
from Parkinson's disease patients into an embryonic-stem-cell-like
state. Whitehead scientists then used these so-called induced
pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to create dopamine-producing neurons, the
cell type that degenerates in Parkinson's disease patients. This marks
first time researchers have generated human iPS cells, successfully
removed the potentially problematic reprogramming genes, and seen the
cells maintain their embryonic stem-cell-like state.
National Institutes of Health, Life Science Research Foundation
Contact: Nicole Giese
giese@wi.mit.edu
617-258-6851
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Viral infection may prime some people for diabetesViruses
that cause diarrhoea and vomiting may also trigger type-1 diabetes in
children with a particular genetic make-up, a study finds
19:00 05 March 2009
Public Release: 5-Mar-2009
Cell Stem Cell
CU-Boulder research team identifies stem cells that repair injured muscles
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has identified a type
of skeletal muscle stem cell that contributes to the repair of damaged
muscles in mice, which could have important implications in the
treatment of injured, diseased or aging muscle tissue in humans,
including the ravages of muscular dystrophy.
National Institutes of Health, Muscular Dystrophy Association
Contact: Bradley Olwin
Bradley.Olwin@colorado.edu
303-492-6816
University of Colorado at BoulderPublic Release: 5-Mar-2009
Nano Letters
Sunlight turns carbon dioxide to methane
Dual catalysts may be the key to efficiently turning carbon dioxide and
water vapor into methane and other hydrocarbons using titania nanotubes
and solar power, according to Penn State researchers.
Contact: A'ndrea Elyse Messer
aem1@psu.edu
814-865-9481
Penn StatePublic Release: 5-Mar-2009
PLoS Genetics
Not so sweet: Over-consumption of sugar linked to aging
As part of the PLoS Genetics study, University of Montreal Biochemistry
Professor Luis Rokeach and his student Antoine Roux discovered to their
surprise that if they removed the gene for a glucose sensor from yeast
cells, they lived just as long as those living on a glucose-restricted
diet. In short, the fate of these cells doesn't depend on what they eat
but what they think they're eating.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Science and Engineering Research Council
Contact: Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins
sylvain-jacques.desjardins@umontreal.ca
514-343-7593
University of MontrealPublic Release: 5-Mar-2009
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Support for adjunctive vitamin C treatment in cancer
Serious flaws in a recent study, which concluded that high doses of
vitamin C reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs in the
treatment of cancer, are revealed in the current issue of Alternative
and Complementary Therapies, a journal published by Mary Ann Liebert
Inc.
Contact: Amy Gleason Quarshie
agleason@liebertpub.com
914-740-2149
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
Japanese pioneer developed first general anaestheticFrom
1804, a pioneering surgeon was giving his patients a herbal brew to
knock them out – a full 40 years before European doctors began using
ether and chloroformHISTORIES: 10:08 06 March 2009
'Vampire' discovered in mass graveA
skeleton exhumed from a grave in Venice is being claimed as the first
known example of the "vampires" widely referred to in contemporary
documentsIN BRIEF: 10:46 06 March 2009
Kill the inflammation, kill the HIV?A chemical found in vegetable oil seems to protect female macaques from vaginal transmission of the related virus, SIVTHIS WEEK: 12:00 08 March 2009
Public Release: 6-Mar-2009
Pediatrics
Survey: Few physicians support private banking of umbilical cord blood
A survey of physicians has found broad support for the position that
parents should not bank their newborns' umbilical cord blood in a
private blood bank unless another member of the family is at risk for a
blood disease that will require a stem cell transplant.
Contact: Teresa Herbert
teresa_herbert@dfci.harvard.edu
617-632-4090
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
PDF
document HERE
WORD
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