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Science News Archive 1998 - Page 16


Page 16 of 42

For Fruit Flies, Finding The Right Mate May Mean Offspring With A Longer Life Span, According To New Study

A new study by geneticists at the University of Georgia shows that female fruit flies who have a choice between mates have offspring that live longer as adults. The research confirms the validity of the 'good genes' model, which proposes that females prefer males with certain traits because they indicate high genetic quality.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 1, 1998

Study Links Colon Cancer To Diabetes Drug

A study published in Nature Medicine suggests that the diabetes drug troglitazone may increase the risk of colon cancer by activating the PPAR receptor, which promotes tumor formation in the colon. The study found that mice treated with troglitazone developed a significantly greater number of colon polyps than those not treated.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 1, 1998

Losing Weight Hardest For Those Who Want To Most

A study by Stanford University School of Medicine found that individuals dissatisfied with their bodies and those with a history of weight fluctuations face extreme difficulty losing weight. The research suggests that combining diet and exercise is crucial for success, emphasizing the importance of addressing both aspects.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateSep 1, 1998

How A Common Protein Becomes A Cancer Killer

A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison biochemist Ron Raines found that a ribonuclease A protein in humans has the same cancer-fighting potential as a frog-derived protein. The finding opens a door to creating a new class of natural drugs aimed at fighting cancer without side effects.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 1998

Tiny Bubbles Help Researchers See Inside Blood Vessels

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have created microbubbles that can be used to suspend helium gas, allowing for detailed magnetic resonance images of blood vessels. The technique combines strengths of several imaging technologies and could lead to non-invasive studies on vascular health, perfusion, and anatomy.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 1998

The Problem With Fen-Phen

Researchers found that the fen-phen diet drug combination was potentially toxic due to the destruction of serotonin control in blood plasma. This could lead to primary pulmonary hypertension and heart valve lesions in some users. The study highlights the importance of complete and up-to-date drug labels.

Improving Car Coatings From Scratch

Researchers developed a unique micro-scratch tester to examine tiny scratches in real-time, revealing that small cracks appear and create voids before material loss. This discovery led to the creation of new coatings with improved scratch durability, which have been applied to cars for field testing.

Snake Venom Slows Tumor Growth

A protein found in copperhead snake venom retards breast tumor growth by blocking tumor cell adhesion and invasion, as well as inhibiting new blood vessel development. Studies with mice implanted with human breast cancer cells showed a 60-70% reduction in growth rate and 90% reduction of tumor metastasis to the lungs.

FUSE Moves Closer To Launch

FUSE is the first large-scale space mission fully planned and operated by a university department. It will study the origin and evolution of hydrogen and deuterium, as well as galaxy evolution and star formation, analyzing clouds of gases between stars in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies.

Tiny Pellets Could Deliver Alzheimer's Drugs

Researchers at Cornell University have developed tiny polymer pellets containing NGF that can regenerate dying cells and improve cognitive function in rats. The system targets specific brain areas and releases NGF molecules over a period of months, offering potential for a one-time treatment for Alzheimer's.

Crack Addicts Travel Long Downward Spiral

African-American crack addicts often had traumatic childhoods marked by physical and sexual abuse, leading to unstable adult lives. The study's findings suggest that these individuals may gravitate towards drug dealing as a means of support due to unemployment and unstable employment.

SourcePenn State·JournalContemporary Drug Problems·DateAug 24, 1998

Penn Researchers Prove "Short-Cut" Function Of Myelin Sheath Channel: BetterUnderstanding Of Myelin Should Lead To Therapies For Neuropathies

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center have discovered a biochemical channel in the myelin sheath that enables faster exchange of cell nutrients, which could lead to treatments for neuropathies and demyelinating diseases. The study, led by Dr. Steven Scherer, demonstrates the function of connexin32 in myelinating ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateAug 24, 1998

Blacks' Environmental Concerns Equal/Exceed Whites'

A recent study by the University of Michigan found that Blacks' environmental concerns equal or exceed those of whites, with greater concern about local pollution and poorer environmental quality. The survey of 793 people identified significant differences in environmental attitudes between Black and white neighborhoods.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly·DateAug 24, 1998

Medicine Becomes Monetized

The monetization of medicine has led to doctors making fiscal decisions, prioritizing who will pay for treatment. Progressive hospitals benefit, while the poor and underinsured access limited services. High-tech tools have increased costs, exacerbating the issue.

Religious Grandparents More Involved With Grandkids

A study by Penn State researcher Valarie King found that church-going grandparents have closer, more involved relationships with their grandchildren. The research, which collected data from over 500 White families, showed a moderate correlation between religiousness and grandparent involvement.