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New method to diagnosing anaemia using microwaves could lead to new blood tests
Young Goats Reduce Stress in Goat Herds
Dingo wrongly blamed for extinctions
Large International Study of COPD Drug Finds Two Types of Inhalers Equally Safe And Effective
Bilingual education has spillover effect
Scripps Research Institute Study Suggests Possibility of Selectively Erasing Unwanted Memories
Ferritin plays central role in kidney damage by controlling iron
New System Uses Nanodiamonds to Deliver Chemotherapy Directly to Brain Tumors
More Research Urgently Needed on Caffeine
Genome of elastomeric materials creates novel materials
Capturing brain activity with sculpted light

New method to diagnosing anaemia using microwaves could lead to new blood tests

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:33 AM PDT

A rapid way of diagnosing anaemia using microwave technology has been developed by scientists. There are different types of anaemia, which causes lethargy, jaundice, tiredness and shortness of breath. It is generally the result of an iron deficiency in people. According to the World Health Organisation, it affects up to a quarter of the world’s population at any given time.

Young Goats Reduce Stress in Goat Herds

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:18 AM PDT

The introduction of young dairy goats into an existing herd is stressful for all animals involved. Rank fights and aggressive behaviour can further result in injury. Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna) have found conditions under which young goats can acclimatize into new herds in a relatively low-stress manner. It seems that introduction of young goats into herds works best if kids are present. The results of the study are published in the current issue of the Journal of Dairy Science.

Dingo wrongly blamed for extinctions

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:11 AM PDT

Dingoes have been unjustly blamed for the extinctions on the Australian mainland of the Tasmanian tiger (or thylacine) and the Tasmanian devil, a University of Adelaide study has found.

In a paper published in the journal Ecology, the researchers say that despite popular belief that the Australian dingo was to blame for the demise of thylacines and devils on the mainland about 3000 years ago, in fact Aboriginal populations and a shift in climate were more likely responsible.

Large International Study of COPD Drug Finds Two Types of Inhalers Equally Safe And Effective

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:07 AM PDT

An international study led by a Johns Hopkins pulmonary expert finds that the drug tiotropium (marketed as the Spiriva brand), can be delivered safely and effectively to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in both “mist” and traditional “dry powder” inhalers.

The new Respimat inhaler, which delivers the drug in a mist form, is approved for use in Europe but not in the United States. The traditional inhaler, known as a HandiHaler, uses a dry powder form of the drug and is widely used in the U.S.

Bilingual education has spillover effect

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 06:02 AM PDT

Bilingual education programs have a substantial spillover effect on the students they’re not designed for, according to a groundbreaking study co-authored by a Michigan State University scholar.

Texas elementary students who speak English as their home language and were enrolled in schools with bilingual education programs performed much better on state math and reading tests than native English-speaking students at schools without bilingual education programs.

Scripps Research Institute Study Suggests Possibility of Selectively Erasing Unwanted Memories

Posted: 10 Sep 2013 05:57 AM PDT

The human brain is exquisitely adept at linking seemingly random details into a cohesive memory that can trigger myriad associations—some good, some not so good. For recovering addicts and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unwanted memories can be devastating. Former meth addicts, for instance, report intense drug cravings triggered by associations with cigarettes, money, even gum (used to relieve dry mouth), pushing them back into the addiction they so desperately want to leave.

Ferritin plays central role in kidney damage by controlling iron

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 07:58 PM PDT

A protein, ferritin, protects kidneys against a damaging after-effect of injury, heart failure or hardened arteries by controlling levels of iron, according to a study published today by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The research team was able to genetically engineer a mouse model that clarified the role of ferritin in iron homeostasis, setting the stage for a new line of research into future treatments that may be able to prevent acute kidney damage caused by iron.

New System Uses Nanodiamonds to Deliver Chemotherapy Directly to Brain Tumors

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 07:48 PM PDT

Researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new drug delivery system using nanodiamonds (NDs) that allows for direct application of chemotherapy to brain tumors with fewer harmful side effects and better cancer-killing efficiency than existing treatments.

More Research Urgently Needed on Caffeine

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 10:15 AM PDT

Studies have shown that caffeine users can become dependent on or addicted to caffeine and may have difficulty reducing their consumption, as can occur with other drugs of dependence. A comprehensive review of the current evidence on caffeine dependence is presented in an article in Journal of Caffeine Research, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available on the Journal of Caffeine Research website.

Genome of elastomeric materials creates novel materials

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 10:10 AM PDT

A wide range of biologically inspired materials may now be possible by combining protein studies, materials science and RNA sequencing, according to an international team of researchers.

"Biological methods of synthesizing materials are not new," said Melik C. Demirel, professor of engineering science and mechanics, Penn State. "What is new is the application of these principles to produce unique materials."

Capturing brain activity with sculpted light

Posted: 09 Sep 2013 07:28 AM PDT

Researchers in Vienna develop new imaging technique to study the function of entire nervous systems Scientists at the Campus Vienna Biocenter (Austria) have found a way to overcome some of the limitations of light microscopy. Applying the new technique, they can record the activity of a worm’s brain with high temporal and spatial resolution, ultimately linking brain anatomy to brain function. The journal Nature Methods publishes the details in its current issue.