Health, Science & Technology News

Global extinction: Gradual doom is just as bad as abrupt
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
Around 250 million years ago, most life on Earth was wiped out in an extinction known as the "Great Dying." A team led by University of Cincinnati geologist Thomas J. Algeo finds that the end came slowly from thousands of centuries of volcanic activity.

Making sense of addiction terminology
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
A new editorial released this week offers clarity and structure on confusing drug and alcohol addiction terminology for prescribers, users and regulators.

Why 2 new studies represent important breakthrough in Alzheimer's disease research
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
Two separate research findings have the potential to give us a much more sophisticated understanding of what goes wrong in Alzheimer's disease and what can be done to prevent or repair damage in the brain.

NYU Courant researchers weigh methods to more accurately measure genome sequencing
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
Researchers at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences evaluate some current methods to sequence individual genomes -- a study that serves as a "stress test" of the efficacy of these practices.

Gene related to fat preferences in humans found
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
A preference for fatty foods has a genetic basis, according to researchers, who discovered that people with certain forms of the CD36 gene may like high-fat foods more than those who have other forms of this gene.

Study: Stroke victims recover much better after temporary stent procedure
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
A new way of opening blocked arteries in the brain using a removable stent system in people suffering strokes brought remarkably positive results in how those patients recovered from the strokes, according to a study presented Feb. 3 at the American Stroke Association's annual conference in New Orleans.

Whole exome sequencing identifies cause of metabolic disease
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
Sequencing a patient's entire genome to discover the source of his or her disease is not routine, but geneticists are getting close. A case report shows how researchers can combine a simple blood test with an "executive summary" scan of the genome to diagnose a severe glycosylation disorder.

Discovery of extremely long-lived proteins may provide insight into cell aging
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
One of the big mysteries in biology is why cells age. Now scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies report that they have discovered a weakness in a component of brain cells that may explain how the aging process occurs in the brain.

Classic portrait of a barred spiral galaxy
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has taken a picture of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1073, which is found in the constellation of Cetus (The Sea Monster). Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, is a similar barred spiral, and the study of galaxies such as NGC 1073 helps astronomers learn more about our celestial home.

Dieting with the denomination, determination
3 February 2012, 5:00 am
According to a new study, those starting new weight loss programs may be surprised to find out that both location and level of experience may influence their success. A recent article published in the Journal of Black Psychology (a journal from the Association of Black Psychologists, published by SAGE) finds that African-American women beginning a new group weight loss program are more successful if they are less experienced with weight management and if the program meets in a church.