science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Πέμπτη 10 Απριλίου 2014

Science News SciGuru.com

Head injury has long-term consequences for children’s social skills
Resveratrol reduces foot ulcer size in patients with type 2 diabetes
Scientists reveal potential link between brain development and breast cancer gene
Synthetic collagen promotes natural clotting
Can animals really help people in hospitals, aged care?
Divergents detected by DNA methylation regulates duplicate genes

Head injury has long-term consequences for children’s social skills

Posted: 10 Apr 2014 05:41 AM PDT

Children who have suffered a head injury, for example in a car crash, experience unexpected long-term problems with relationships and social interactions although they appear to be completely recovered. This is due to lasting effects on the right frontal pole area of the brain that could be addressed with therapy to improve working memory. These are the main findings of a study from researchers in Brigham Young University published on 10th April in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

Resveratrol reduces foot ulcer size in patients with type 2 diabetes

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 07:02 PM PDT

According to a new study size of foot ulcer in type 2 diabetes patients was significantly reduced following treatment with resveratrol. Diabetes increases the risk of foot sores. Diabetic foot ulcer occurs in about 15% of all diabetes patients and may lead to lower limb amputation.

Scientists reveal potential link between brain development and breast cancer gene

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 12:23 PM PDT

Scientists at the Salk Institute have uncovered details into a surprising—and crucial—link between brain development and a gene whose mutation is tied to breast and ovarian cancer. Aside from better understanding neurological damage associated in a small percentage of people susceptible to breast cancers, the new work also helps to better understand the evolution of the brain.

Synthetic collagen promotes natural clotting

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 12:07 PM PDT

Synthetic collagen invented at Rice University may help wounds heal by directing the natural clotting of blood.

The material, KOD, mimics natural collagen, a fibrous protein that binds cells together into organs and tissues. It could improve upon commercial sponges or therapies based on naturally derived porcine or bovine-derived collagen now used to aid healing during or after surgery.

Can animals really help people in hospitals, aged care?

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 12:00 PM PDT

While many people have an opinion on whether animals can help to improve wellbeing and care for patients in hospitals, does anyone really know whether there are benefits both for the patients and the animals themselves?

Not according to a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide, which has conducted a worldwide review of all studies looking at the impact of "animal interventions" in healthcare settings for children.

Divergents detected by DNA methylation regulates duplicate genes

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 09:16 AM PDT

DNA methylation is a biochemical process whereby a methyl group is added to the cytosine or adenine DNA nucleotides. Some methylation modifications that regulate gene expression are heritable and cause genomic imprinting.

Gene duplication is a result of molecular evolution where duplication of gene occurs in a DNA region. Several types of DNA replication and repair errors causes gene duplication. Duplicate genes are subjected to mutations and are lost or inactivated.