science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Σάββατο 6 Ιουλίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Brain regions for successful spread of ideas called "buzz" identified
Should Radiologists be the Gatekeepers of Medical Imaging?
Findings uncovers dynamic changes in the epigenome that occur during brain circuitry formation
Solitary lemurs avoid danger with a little help from the neighbors

Brain regions for successful spread of ideas called "buzz" identified

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 08:25 PM PDT

Psychologists report for the first time that specific brain regions are associated with the successful spread of ideas, often called "buzz. " These regions in the brain are called temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC).

The research has a broad range of implications, the study authors say, and could lead to more effective public health campaigns, more persuasive advertisements and better ways for teachers to communicate with students.

Should Radiologists be the Gatekeepers of Medical Imaging?

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 11:44 AM PDT

Big changes are coming to the US health care system—some in response to the mounting scrutiny of medical imaging. New task force recommendations, the Choosing Wisely campaign, and Affordable Care Act policies are all attempting to curtail overtesting—with CT scans, MRIs and any other screening often ordered unnecessarily—that can drive up medical costs, lead to waste and unnecessary radiation, and prompt undue anxiety about false positive results.

Findings uncovers dynamic changes in the epigenome that occur during brain circuitry formation

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 11:25 AM PDT

Changes in the epigenome, including chemical modifications of DNA, can act as an extra layer of information in the genome, and are thought to play a role in learning and memory, as well as in age-related cognitive decline.

Solitary lemurs avoid danger with a little help from the neighbors

Posted: 05 Jul 2013 08:48 AM PDT

An endangered species of Madagascan lemur uses the alarm calls of birds and other lemurs to warn it of the presence of predators, a new study by researchers from the University of Bristol and Bristol Zoo with the University of Torino has found. This is the first time this phenomenon has been observed in a solitary and nocturnal lemur species.