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Science News Archive September 1998 - Page 4


Page 4 of 4

International Study Finds Mothers' Lifetime Lead Exposures May Put Breast-Fed Newborns At Risk

A recent international study found that mothers with high lifetime lead exposure may transfer toxic levels of lead to their breastfed infants. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between the amount of lead in the mothers' milk and the corresponding blood lead levels of the infants.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateSep 3, 1998

Physical Abuse Common Among Depressed Women

A study found that depressed women who experienced physical abuse were less likely to receive mental health care compared to those who had not been abused. Nearly all abused women sought recent medical help, highlighting the need for effective screening for domestic violence.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 3, 1998

OHSU Study Shows Bright Pink Form Effective In Helping Patients Communicate End-Of-Life Care Wishes

A study by OHSU found that patients who completed the bright pink POLST form had high levels of comfort care and low rates of aggressive life-extending treatment. The form, which enables patients to state wishes on specific treatments, was designed to record patients' wishes in the present, not just future healthcare.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 2, 1998

Liquid Golf Clubs

Golfers can expect to hit longer shots and experience a softer yet solid feel with the new Liquidmetal alloy, absorbing less energy than conventional materials. This high-performance material is also attractive for replacing traditional metals in sporting goods and aerospace products.

SourceInstitute of Materials·JournalMaterials World·DateSep 2, 1998

Money For Old Cable

A new process called Continuous Rotary Extrusion (CRE) can produce high-quality copper from scrap electrical cable at a lower cost and with minimal environmental impact. The recycling centers can be based in compact light industry plants, reducing staff requirements and operating costs.

SourceInstitute of Materials·JournalMaterials World·DateSep 2, 1998

Researchers Identify Risk Factors For Preeclampsia In Hypertensive Women

A study found that women with longstanding hypertension are more likely to develop preeclampsia if they have a history of high blood pressure and protein in the urine early in pregnancy. Women who developed preeclampsia were also more likely to experience complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.

More Than $7.5 Million For Research

The Whitaker Foundation has awarded over $7.5 million to biomedical researchers at 29 universities to tackle medical problems and improve human health. The grants support innovative research in areas like regenerative medicine, biomechanics, and tissue engineering.

Engineering New Enzymes

Researchers successfully engineered a hybrid enzyme with improved substrate specificity, demonstrating the potential of recombining subdomains to generate novel functions. The study presents a method for generating hybrid genes by combining subdomain segments from diverse proteins.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 1998

Clearer Criteria Needed To Support Government Involvement In Port And Freight Terminal Projects

A new report recommends guidelines for governments to evaluate proposals for public investment in freight facility projects, focusing on economic viability and benefits such as reduced pollution and job creation. The report also examines government policies beyond infrastructure investment that affect freight efficiency.

Study Of Protein Reveals Two Different Prostate Cancers;One More Deadly Also Shows That Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Not A Precursor To Prostate Cancer

Researchers identified two distinct forms of prostate cancer, with one being more aggressive. The study also found that p27 plays a role in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), which is genetically different from prostate cancer and not a precursor to its development.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 1, 1998

Health Promotion: Can Scare Tactics Work?

Researchers found that fear campaigns can be effective in motivating action, but only if individuals feel threatened and have clear information about the effectiveness of recommended actions. The study tested the impact of a fear campaign on reducing the risk of genital warts caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) among college women.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateSep 1, 1998

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