Surgeons perform better with eye movement training

ScienceDaily (Nov. 30, 2011) — Surgeons can learn their skills more quickly if they are taught how to control their eye movements. Research led by the University of Exeter shows that trainee surgeons learn technical surgical skills much more quickly and deal better with the stress of the operating theatre if they are taught to mimic the eye movements of experts.This research, published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, could transform the way in which surgeons are trained to be ready for the operating...

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Aggression prevents the better part of valor ... in fig wasps

ScienceDaily (Dec. 1, 2011) — Researchers have confirmed a unique behaviour within the male population of tiny fig wasps that pollinate fig trees -- they team up to help pregnant females, even if they have not mated themselves.Published online in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters, the study confirms that placid male pollinator fig wasps work together to chew an escape tunnel for their females, before crawling back into the fig to die -- the non-pollinating variety are too busy fighting...

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Less invasive anesthetic methods better for endovascular aneurysm repair

ScienceDaily (Oct. 27, 2011) — Researchers have identified a safer, more cost effective way to provide anesthesia for patients undergoing endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a common, often asymptomatic condition that, if not found and treated, can be deadly.A new study done by investigators at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that using less invasive spinal, epidural and local/monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is better than general anesthesia for elective endovascular...

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Building better HIV antibodies: Biologists create neutralizing antibody that shows increased potency

ScienceDaily (Oct. 27, 2011) — Using highly potent antibodies isolated from HIV-positive people, researchers have recently begun to identify ways to broadly neutralize the many possible subtypes of HIV. Now, a team led by biologists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has built upon one of these naturally occurring antibodies to create a stronger version they believe is a better candidate for clinical applications.Current advances in isolating antibodies from HIV-infected individuals...

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