Geomorphic and geologic controls of geohazards induced by Nepal's 2015 Gorkha earthquake

The Gorkha earthquake (magnitude 7.8) on 25 April 2015 and later aftershocks struck South Asia, killing ~9000 people and damaging a large region. Supported by a large campaign of responsive satellite data acquisitions over the earthquake disaster zone, our team undertook a satellite image survey of the earthquakes' induced geohazards in Nepal and China and an assessment of the geomorphic, tectonic, and lithologic controls on quake-induced landslides. Timely analysis and communication aided response and recovery and informed decision-makers. We mapped 4312 coseismic and postseismic landslides. We also surveyed 491 glacier lakes for earthquake damage but found only nine landslide-impacted lakes and no visible satellite evidence of outbursts. Landslide densities correlate with slope, peak ground acceleration, surface downdrop, and specific metamorphic lithologies and large plutonic intrusions.

Effects of manipulation of dietary fatty acids on clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis

The effects of manipulation of dietary fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were investigated in a 12-week, prospective, double-blind, controlled study. 17 patients took an experimental diet high in polyunsaturated fat and low in saturated fat, with a daily supplement (1.8 g) of eicosapentaenoic acid. 20 patients took a control diet with a lower polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio and a placebo supplement. Compliance was monitored by plasma lipid gas-chromatographic analysis, Ivy bleeding time, and diet diaries. Results favoured the experimental group at 12 weeks for morning stiffness and number of tender joints. On follow-up evaluation 1-2 months after stopping the diet, the experimental group had deteriorated significantly in patient and physician global evaluation of disease activity, pain assessment, and number of tender joints. The control group had improved in morning stiffness and number of tender joints on follow-up.