Futurity.org » University of Rochester

Kids with autism spot motion faster

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:12:05 +0000

U. ROCHESTER / YALE / VANDERBILT (US) — Children with autism see simple movement twice as quickly as other children their age, a new study shows.

Researchers say this hypersensitivity to motion may provide clues to a fundamental cause of the developmental disorder.

Inhaling nanoparticles may injure lungs

Phyllis Brown-UC Davis — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:09:58 +0000

UC DAVIS (US) — Breathing two of the most common types of engineered nanomaterials can cause lung inflammation and damage, new research shows.

The ultrafine particles from a large family of materials increasingly are found in a host of household and commercial products, from sunscreens to the ink in copy machines to super-strong but lightweight sporting equipment.

Grassroots laws shield kids from lead paint

Mark Michaud-Rochester — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:58:18 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Community-based efforts to develop strategies and policies that target high-risk housing may be the key to reducing the dangers of lead paint in homes with children.

“Lead poisoning has long been characterized as a health problem with a housing solution,” says Katrina Korfmacher, director of the Community Outreach and Engagement Core of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Environmental Health Sciences Center.

Count on it: Baboons ‘know’ numbers

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:16:42 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Like children who have not yet learned to count, olive baboons are able to rely on “more or less” comparisons to understand numbers.

“The human capacity for complex symbolic math is clearly unique to our species,” says co-author Jessica Cantlon, assistant professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester. “But where did this numeric prowess come from?

How to tame ‘triple negative’ breast cancer

Leslie Orr-Rochester — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:06:04 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Scientists have discovered how to exploit tamoxifen’s secondary activities to treat more aggressive breast cancers.

Tamoxifen is a time-honored breast cancer drug used to treat millions of women with early-stage and less-aggressive disease.

Sensor for asteroid camera passes critical test

Leonor Sierra-Rochester — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:59:18 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Scientists are testing a new sensor designed to be the eyes of a future asteroid-tracking mission.

“The Near Earth Object Camera (NEOCam) sensor will increase our ability to detect hazardous asteroids near the Earth and improve our understanding of threatening objects,” says William J. Forrest, professor of astronomy at the University of Rochester.

Once launched, the space-based telescope would be positioned at a location about four times the distance between Earth and the moon. From this lofty perch, NEOCam could observe the comings and goings of objects near Earth without the impediments to efficient observing like cloud cover and even daylight.

Got public speaking jitters? Experts say embrace the fear

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:11:28 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — A surprisingly effective way of handling stage fright is to view shaky hands, pounding heart, and sweaty palms as a good thing.

“The problem is that we think all stress is bad,” explains Jeremy Jamieson, the study’s lead author and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rochester.

Human brain cells make mice smarter

Mark Michaud-Rochester — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:27:06 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Transplanting human brain cells into mice makes them learn more quickly and gives them better memory. Researchers say the finding could help treat brain disorders in people.

The study, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, suggests that the evolution of a subset of glia cells called astrocytes—which are larger and more complex in humans than other species—may have been one of the key events that led to the higher cognitive functions that distinguish us from other species.

Head injuries may spark immune system attack

Emily Boynton-Rochester — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:42:15 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Head injuries that aren’t quite concussions are still dangerous, say researchers, who cite damage to the blood-brain barrier and the resulting auto-immune response.

Most scientists are starting to agree that these repeat, sub-concussive hits to the head are dangerous and linked to neurological disorders later in life.

Why social snubs usually backfire

Susan Hagen-Rochester — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:10:21 +0000

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Giving someone the cold shoulder cuts both ways, a new study shows.

“In real life and in academic studies, we tend to focus on the harm done to victims in cases of social aggression,” says study co-author Richard Ryan, professor of clinical and social psychology at the University of Rochester.