Culture | Page 1700 | Science Codex

Airbags, seat belts associated with reduced likelihood of facial fractures

Nearly 11 percent of patients examined at trauma centers following motor vehicle collisions had at least one facial fracture, and airbags and seat belts were associated with reduced likelihood of those fractures, according to an article published online by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 2.3 million people were injured and 32,719 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in 2013. MVCs are a significant source of the facial fractures treated at U.S. trauma centers.

Regenerative medicine improves strength and function in severe muscle injuries

PITTSBURGH, July 21, 2016 - Results of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine showed significant improvement in strength and range of motion, as well as evidence for skeletal muscle regeneration, in 13 patients who were surgically implanted with bioscaffolds derived from pig tissue to treat muscle injuries. The patients had failed to respond to conventional treatment before use of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The findings were published online today in npj Regenerative Medicine.

Stanford researchers reveal cost-effective path to drought resiliency

Strained by drought in recent years, California desperately needs more resilient water supplies. An affordable solution that provides a wide range of benefits is within reach, according to a new Stanford study.

Chronic low back pain linked to higher rates of illicit drug use

July 21, 2016 - People living with chronic low back pain (cLBP) are more likely to use illicit drugs -- including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine -- compared to those without back pain, reports a study in Spine, published by Wolters Kluwer.

Sexual minority youth have higher rates of disordered eating behaviors

Sexual minority boys and girls are more likely to purge or take laxatives, use diet pills, or fast to lose weight than their straight peers, and those disordered eating trends may not be improving, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

More doesn't mean better when it comes to trauma centers

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers have demonstrated for the first time that changes over time in the volume of patients seen by trauma centers influence the likelihood of seriously injured patients living or dying.

The findings, reported online and scheduled for an upcoming issue of the journal Annals of Surgery, mean that changes in patient volume across all affected centers should be considered when designating a new trauma center in a region.

Global standards for vaping products essential to promote innovation

Against a backdrop of a growing number of e-cigarette users globally, British American Tobacco (BAT) is leading efforts to develop and harmonise standards around vaping products to further reassure consumers of these products potential in reducing the harm from smoking.

Sorafenib treatment alters immunosuppressive phenotypes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and results from long-term damage and fibrosis, such as is caused by chronic alcohol abuse and viral-induced hepatitis. Patients with advanced HCC are often given the drug sorafenib, which targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other kinases to prevent blood vessel growth in the tumor. Recent studies indicate that sorafenib can also alter immune cell function in patients.

Tapping into behavioral economics to boost clinical trial participation

Behavioral economics may offer a powerful tool for improving patient enrollment in clinical trials, argue Eric VanEpps, Kevin Volpp, and Scott Halpern in this Focus. Drawing insights from economics and psychology, the authors propose interventions, or "nudges," to influence patients' decisions to enroll in a trial. For example, one strategy for resolving anxiety about enrolling is to convey the number of other participants when providing information about the trial, a tactic that leverages a "safety in numbers" mentality.

Study examines opioid agonist therapy use in Medicare patients

Few Medicare enrollees appear to be receiving buprenorphine-naloxone, the only opioid agonist therapy for opioid addiction available through Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, according to a study published online by JAMA Psychiatry.

Surgeons' disclosures of clinical adverse events

Surgeons who reported they were less likely to discuss preventability of an adverse event, or who reported difficult communication experiences, were more negatively affected by disclosure than others, according to a study published online by JAMA Surgery.

New method reconstructs highly detailed 3-D eyes from a single photograph

A digitally created face can have the most realistic looking skin imaginable and still look fabricated to audiences if the eyes aren't quite right. But a new technique developed by Disney Research can capture the crucial, yet subtle details of the eyes with just a single facial scan, or even a single photo.

Cosmetic therapy: The link between makeup and a down economy

During tough economic times, women engage in the "lipstick effect," stocking up on cosmetics and beauty products -- a simple and familiar way to address their personal economic situation.

The phenomenon has occurred during every major recession in U.S. history and multiple explanations for it have been proposed, but new research from the University of Notre Dame and Bocconi University, for the first time, shows that women's motivations during these economically challenging times have moved beyond women's instinctive need for a male provider.

Reading Harry Potter lowers Americans' opinions of Donald Trump

Harry may not be a full-on patronus against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's appeal, but reading Potter stories does appear to be a shield charm against Trump's message.

A new study to be published in a special 2016 election issue of PS: Political Science and Politics finds that reading Harry Potter books leads Americans to take a lower opinion of Donald Trump. In fact, the more books the participants read, the greater the effect.

Majority of physicians have favorite patients, study finds

Physicians like the majority of their patients, but a majority like some more than others, a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds.