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Science News Archive 1998 - Page 7


Page 7 of 42

In The Largest U.S. Study Ever Looking At Genetic Matching Of Marrow Donors Researchers Found That Outcomes Can Significantly Be Improved For Leukemia

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that genetic techniques for matching patients with marrow donors can eliminate guesswork and improve survival rates. The study of 300 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia showed that even single mismatches in key genes don't affect long-term survival.

The Selling Of Olestra

Marion Nestle reviews the history of olestra's approval, highlighting the FDA's decision to approve the fat substitute while requiring warning labels. She calls for changes in the regulatory system to move towards alliances with industries, increasing FDA research authority and funding.

SourcePublic Health Reports·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateNov 9, 1998

Get Me To The ER On Time

The REACT trial found a median delay of 2.2 hours, far lower than most U.S. studies have found, indicating an improvement in patients seeking care earlier. This decline is attributed to increased awareness and education about heart attack symptoms and the need for rapid action.

Heart Inflammation Declining In The United States

A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that cases of life-threatening heart muscle inflammation are declining in the US, corresponding with a decline in enteroviral infections. Since 1991, myocarditis was present in less than 5% of patients biopsied each year, correlating with reduced enterovirus cases reported by the CDC.

Towards The Origin Of Brittleness And Ductility

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Metals Research have identified two temperature-dependent mechanisms controlling the brittle-to-ductile transition in materials. Dislocation mobility dominates fracture toughness above a characteristic temperature, whereas dislocation nucleation controls fracture toughness below this temperature.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 1998

EMAP II: A Cytokine Regulated By Apoptosis

Scientists found that apoptosis induces the processing of EMAP II precursor protein, releasing a biologically active form that recruits macrophages. This process is crucial for tissue remodelling and coordinating cell death during embryonic development.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 1998

New Study Offers A Twist On Evolution Of Animal Postures

A new Ohio University study reveals that alligators evolved from semi-erect to sprawl postures, contrary to the conventional theory of animal posture evolution. Researchers analyzed alligator movement and found that their walking patterns are more similar to those of salamanders and lizards than previously thought.

SourceOhio University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateNov 6, 1998

Amnesia After Sex: More Than A Washington Phenomenon

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that bearing down hard during sex can cause transient global amnesia, a temporary inability to form new memories. The study found two cases of men experiencing confusion and amnesia after sex, linked to the Valsalva maneuver and sympathetic nervous system activation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 6, 1998

By Revving Up Key Gene, Researchers Discover They Can Manipulate The Size Of Cells In Plants

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have discovered that over-expressing a special gene in tobacco plants can manipulate the size of individual cells, resulting in smaller plant crops more resistant to dry or wet conditions. This breakthrough could lead to controlled wood cell sizes for various applications.