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CIC BigScience Newswire

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Reducing off-label use of antipsychotic medications may save money

May 15, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

HERSHEY, Pa. -- Reducing the non-FDA-approved use of antipsychotic drugs may be a way to save money while having little effect on patient care, according to a Penn State College of Medicine study. Read more about: Reducing off-label use of antipsychotic medications may save money

Contact: Matthew Solovey, 717-531-8606, msolovey@hmc.psu.edu

In metallic glasses, researchers find a few new atomic structures

May 11, 2012 University of Wisconsin-Madison

Drawing on powerful computational tools and a state-of-the-art scanning transmission electron microscope, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison and Iowa State University materials science and engineering researchers has discovered a new nanometer-scale atomic structure in solid metallic materials known as metallic glasses. Read more about: In metallic glasses, researchers find a few new atomic structures

Contact: Renee Meiller, 608-262-2481, meiller@engr.wisc.edu

Increasing predator-friendly land can help farmers reduce costs

May 11, 2012 Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Having natural habitat in farming areas that supports ladybugs could help increase their abundance in crops where they control pests and help farmers reduce their costs, says a Michigan State University study. Read more about: Increasing predator-friendly land can help farmers reduce costs

Contact: Layne Cameron, 517-353-8819, layne.cameron@cabs.msu.edu

Biosensor illuminates compounds to aid fight against TB

May 9, 2012 Michigan State University

For his work on developing new treatments for tuberculosis, a Michigan State University researcher has been named a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Robert Abramovitch of MSU’s Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is using a synthetic biosensor that glows green in response to conditions that mimic human tuberculosis infection. He will screen for compounds that target chronic TB infection and may help shorten therapy or treat multidrug-resistant TB, which does not respond well to existing antibiotics. Read more about: Biosensor illuminates compounds to aid fight against TB

Contact: Jason Cody, 517-432-0924, codyja@msu.edu

Female and younger athletes take longer to overcome concussions

May 8, 2012 Michigan State University

New research out of Michigan State University reveals female athletes and younger athletes take longer to recover from concussions, findings that call for physicians and athletic trainers to take sex and age into account when dealing with the injury. The study, led by Tracey Covassin of MSU’s Department of Kinesiology, found females performed worse than males on visual memory tests and reported more symptoms postconcussion. Read more about: Female and younger athletes take longer to overcome concussions

Contact: Jason Cody, 517-432-0924, codyja@msu.edu

Endangered species, languages linked at high biodiversity regions

May 7, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Biodiversity hot spots -- the world's biologically richest and most threatened locations on Earth -- and high biodiversity wilderness areas -- biologically rich but less threatened -- are some of the most linguistically diverse regions on our planet, according to a team of conservationists. Read more about: Endangered species, languages linked at high biodiversity regions

Contact: A'ndrea Elyse Messr, 814-865-9481, aem1@psu.edu

Best websites balance self-expression and functionality

May 7, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

University Park, Pa. -- Giving people the freedom -- but not too much freedom -- to express themselves may help designers build more interactive web portals and online communities, according to Penn State researchers. Read more about: Best websites balance self-expression and functionality

Contact: Matthew Swayne, 814-865-9481, mls29@psu.edu

Peak risk about 16 years old for teens misusing prescription drugs

May 7, 2012 Michigan State University

The peak risk for misusing prescription pain relievers occurs in mid-adolescence, specifically about 16 years old and earlier than many experts thought, according to a new study by Michigan State University researchers. The results, based on recent nationwide surveys of nearly 120,000 U.S. adolescents, suggest prevention programs may need to be introduced earlier, in childhood and early adolescence, said James C. Anthony of MSU’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Read more about: Peak risk about 16 years old for teens misusing prescription drugs

Contact: Jason Cody, 517-432-0924, codyja@msu.edu

Study finds high rate of victimization among gays, lesbians and bisexuals

May 4, 2012 University of Wisconsin-Madison

A new analysis of hundreds of existing research studies shows that lesbians, gays and bisexuals experience high rates of victimization. Janet Hyde, a professor of psychology and women's studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says, "Lesbians, gays and bisexuals, or LGBs, have received significantly more threats than straights, and significantly more physical assault." Read more about: Study finds high rate of victimization among gays, lesbians and bisexuals

Contact: David Tenenbaum, 608-265-8549, djtenenb@wisc.edu

Researchers unveil new assessment for diagnosing malnutrition

May 3, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A new systematic assessment of malnutrition, created by researchers at Penn State, will aid dietitians and other health care providers in diagnosis and treatment. Read more about: Researchers unveil new assessment for diagnosing malnutrition

Contact: Victoria M. Indivero, 814-865-9481, vmi1@psu.edu

Sloppy shipping of human retina leads IU researchers to discover new treatment path for eye disease

May 3, 2012 Indiana University

Sloppy shipping of a donated human retina to an Indiana University researcher studying a leading cause of vision loss has inadvertently helped uncover a previously undetected mechanism causing the disease. The discovery has led researchers to urge review of how millions of dollars are spent investigating the cause of a type of age-related macular degeneration called choroidal neovascularization. Read more about: Sloppy shipping of human retina leads IU researchers to discover new treatment path for eye disease

Contact: Steve Chaplin, 812-856-1896, stjchap@iu.edu

Researchers show prebiotic can reduce severity of colitis

May 3, 2012 Michigan State University

Researchers at Michigan State University have shown a prebiotic may help the body’s own natural killer cells fight bacterial infection and reduce inflammation, greatly decreasing the risk of colon cancer. Read more about: Researchers show prebiotic can reduce severity of colitis

Contact: Jason Cody, 517-432-0924, codyja@msu.edu

After epic debate, avian flu research sees light of day

May 2, 2012 University of Wisconsin-Madison

After a marathon debate over a pair of studies that show how the avian H5N1 influenza virus could become transmissible in mammals, and an unprecedented recommendation by a government review panel to block publication, one of the studies was finally and fully published today (May 3, 2012) in the journal Nature. Read more about: After epic debate, avian flu research sees light of day

Contact: Jill Sakai, 608-262-9772, jas

Sleepiness may affect surgeons' ability to deal with the unexpected

May 2, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

HERSHEY, Pa. -- Sleep-deprived surgeons can perform a previously learned task or learn a new task as well as surgeons who are rested, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. However, in sleep-deprived surgeons, the brain must work harder, which could lead to problems during unexpected events. Read more about: Sleepiness may affect surgeons' ability to deal with the unexpected

Contact: Matthew Sologey, 717-531-8606, msolovey@hmc.psu.edu

At smallest scale, liquid crystal behavior portends new materials

May 2, 2012 University of Wisconsin-Madison

An international team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering Juan J. de Pablo reports the results of a computational study that shows liquid crystals, manipulated at the smallest scale, can unexpectedly induce the molecules they interact with to self-organize in ways that could lead to entirely new classes of materials with new properties. Read more about: At smallest scale, liquid crystal behavior portends new materials

Contact: Terry Devitt, 608-262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu

IU's Drosophila Stock Center reaches historic milestone with chromosome deletions of fly genome

May 1, 2012 Indiana University

Indiana University's Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, a clearinghouse for genetically defined lines of fruit flies that serves scientists in 2,600 laboratories worldwide, has reached a milestone with completion of the most comprehensive set of chromosome deletions for any multicellular organism on earth. Read more about: IU's Drosophila Stock Center reaches historic milestone with chromosome deletions of fly genome

Contact: Steve Chaplin, 812-856-1896, stjchap@iu.edu

Inexpensive, abundant starch fibers could lead to 'ouchless' bandages

May 1, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A process that spins starch into fine strands could take the sting out of removing bandages, as well as produce less expensive and more environmentally-friendly toilet paper, napkins and other products, according to Penn State food scientists. Read more about: Inexpensive, abundant starch fibers could lead to 'ouchless' bandages

Contact: Matthew Swayne, 814-865-9481, mls29@psu.edu

It takes a village to keep teens substance free

May 1, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- During high school the parents of teenagers' friends can have as much effect on the teens' substance use as their own parents, according to prevention researchers. Read more about: It takes a village to keep teens substance free

Contact: Victoria M. Indivero, 814-865-9481, vmi1!psu.edu

Clinical trial could reverse scourge of cerebral malaria for survivors

May 1, 2012 Michigan State University

Michigan State University researchers, with the help of a groundbreaking medical device, are starting a clinical trial in Africa they hope will provide relief for the hundreds of thousands of children who survive cerebral malaria but are left stricken with epilepsy or other neurologic disorders. The impact of those disorders via loss of human potential and lack of societal contribution is immeasurable, said Gretchen Birbeck, a professor of neurology and ophthalmology in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Read more about: Clinical trial could reverse scourge of cerebral malaria for survivors

Contact: Jason Cody, 517-432-0924, codyja@msu.edu

MSU invention could help pharmaceutical industry save money

April 30, 2012 Michigan State University

Two Michigan State University researchers have invented a protein purifier that could help pharmaceutical companies save time and money. The details of the invention, which appear in a recent issue of the journal Langmuir, demonstrate that MSU chemists Merlin Bruening and Greg Baker’s high-performance membranes are highly suitable for protein purification, a crucial step in the development of some new drugs. Read more about: MSU invention could help pharmaceutical industry save money

Contact: Layne Cameron, 517-353-8819, layne.cameron@ur.msu.edu

New agricultural policy research center proposed at Nebraska

April 27, 2012 University of Nebraska-Lincoln

All consumers are not the same. Neither are all agricultural producers. Yet ag policy analysis typically has assumed they are, which can result in ineffective or inefficient policies. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is leading a new research effort to change that approach. UNL received a two-year $766,166 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a new policy research group within its Center for Agricultural and Food Industrial Organization. Read more about: New agricultural policy research center proposed at Nebraska

Contact: Dan Moser, 402-472-3007, dmoser3@unl.edu

Researchers give long look at who benefits from nature tourism

April 27, 2012 Michigan State University

Using nature’s beauty as a tourist draw can boost conservation in China’s valued panda preserves, but it isn’t an automatic ticket out of poverty for the human inhabitants, a long-term study at Michigan State University shows. Read more about: Researchers give long look at who benefits from nature tourism

Contact: Layne Cameron, 517-353-8819, layne.cameron@ur.msu.edu

Shedding Light on Southpaws

April 25, 2012 Northwestern University

Lefties (only 10 percent of the general population) have always been a bit of a puzzle. Northwestern University researchers have developed a mathematical model that shows the low percentage of lefties is a result of the balance between cooperation and competition in human evolution. They are the first to use real-world data (from competitive sports, including baseball, boxing and hockey) to test and confirm the hypothesis that social behavior is related to population-level handedness. Read more about: Shedding Light on Southpaws

Contact: Megan Fellman, 847-491-3115, fellman@northwestern.edu

Tiny 'spherules' reveal details about Earth's asteroid impacts

April 25, 2012 Purdue University

Researchers are learning details about asteroid impacts going back to the Earth's early history by using a new method for extracting precise information from tiny "spherules" embedded in layers of rock. Read more about: Tiny 'spherules' reveal details about Earth's asteroid impacts

Contact: Emil Venere, 765-494-3470, venere@purdue.edu

Binge eating may lead to addiction-like behaviors

April 24, 2012 Pennsylvania State University

HERSHEY, Pa. -- A history of binge eating -- consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time -- may make an individual more likely to show other addiction-like behaviors, including substance abuse, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. In the short term, this finding may shed light on the factors that promote substance abuse, addiction, and relapse. In the long term, may help clinicians treat individuals suffering from this devastating disease. Read more about: Binge eating may lead to addiction-like behaviors

Contact: Matthew Solovey, 717-531-8606, msolovey@hmc.psu.edu

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