science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Παρασκευή 4 Ιανουαρίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Steroids that Only Nature Could Make on a Large Scale—Until Now
Disinfection Caps Cut CLABSI Cases in Half
Study identifies new characteristic of binge eating
Coral Records Suggest that Recent El Nino Activity Rises Above Noisy Background
Researchers Find New Molecule to Target in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Sesame Street Helps to Reveal Patterns of Neural Development
New rat model for muscle regeneration after trauma-related soft tissue injury

Steroids that Only Nature Could Make on a Large Scale—Until Now

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 07:26 AM PST

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have achieved a feat in synthetic chemistry by inventing a scalable method to make complex natural compounds known as “polyhydroxylated steroids.” These compounds, used in heart-failure medications and other drugs, have been notoriously problematic to synthesize in the laboratory.

Disinfection Caps Cut CLABSI Cases in Half

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 07:19 AM PST

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) dropped by 52 percent when an alcohol-impregnated disinfection cap was used instead of standard scrubbing protocol, according to a new study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Study identifies new characteristic of binge eating

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 04:25 PM PST

A study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) suggests food concocting — the making of strange food mixtures like mashed potatoes and Oreo cookies, frozen vegetables mixed with mayonnaise, and chips with lemon, pork rinds, Italian dressing and salt — is common among binge eaters. The findings, available online and to be published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, reveal that 1 in 4 survey participants secretly create concoctions.

Coral Records Suggest that Recent El Nino Activity Rises Above Noisy Background

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 04:14 PM PST

By examining a set of fossil corals that are as much as 7,000 years old, scientists have dramatically expanded the amount of information available on the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, a Pacific Ocean climate cycle that affects climate worldwide. The new information will help assess the accuracy of climate model projections for 21st century climate change in the tropical Pacific.

Researchers Find New Molecule to Target in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:54 PM PST

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida have identified a new target to improve treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer, which accounts for more than 95 percent of pancreatic cancer cases. This fast-growing, often lethal cancer is resistant to conventional chemotherapy. The findings are published in the Jan. 3 online issue of PLOS ONE.

Sesame Street Helps to Reveal Patterns of Neural Development

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:48 PM PST

Using brain scans of children and adults watching Sesame Street, cognitive scientists are learning how children's brains change as they develop intellectual abilities like reading and math.

The novel use of brain imaging during everyday activities like watching TV, say the scientists, opens the door to studying other thought processes in naturalistic settings and may one day help to diagnose and treat learning disabilities.

New rat model for muscle regeneration after trauma-related soft tissue injury

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:35 PM PST

Penetrating soft tissue injuries that may be caused by bullet wounds or motor vehicle accidents, or exposure to explosive devices in military settings, can cause muscle loss resulting in functional disability and cosmetic deformity. Efforts underway to develop tissue engineering solutions to repair and replace damaged and lost muscle will benefit greatly from the availability of robust animal models to test these innovative therapeutic strategies.