Depression Kills In More Ways Than Suicide
A review of 57 studies found depression to be linked to increased risk of death from heart disease and other factors, with suicide accounting for less than 1% of deaths among depressed patients
Science News for January 29, 1999
Tuberculosis Spreads Through Crowded City Buses
A new study suggests that crowded urban buses in Buenos Aires could be responsible for 30% of new tuberculosis cases. Researchers found that bus travel increases the risk of infection due to overcrowding and poor ventilation, posing a significant public health threat.
World's Smallest Pen May Help Draw Tiny Circuits
Researchers at Northwestern University have created a world's smallest and sharpest pen that can draw lines just a few dozen molecules wide, opening up new ways to explore the nano-world of electronics based on molecules. The 'dip-pen nanolithography' technique uses an atomic force microscope to transfer molecules with high precision o...
UI Researcher's Study On Termite Bacteria May Aid In Greenhouse Gas Understanding
A University of Iowa researcher has discovered that termite bacteria consume hydrogen, converting it into acetate, an excellent food source for termites and cows. This finding could lead to improvements in cattle nutrition and decreases in their methane emissions, a major contributor to global warming.
Isolation, Anger Roads To Illness Go Through The Heart
A study of 300 healthy women found that social isolation and suppressed anger are associated with decreased heart rate variability, a sign of physiological rigidity. This increased vulnerability to stress can lead to various diseases, including coronary heart disease and mortality.
Depression With Physical Illness Doubles Psychiatric Hospital Stays
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that patients with both depression and a physical illness stay twice as long in the hospital compared to those with only depression. The study surveyed over 2,300 psychiatric patients admitted between 1987 and 1992.
Statistician Keeps Health Researchers Ahead Of The Curve
Health researchers sought to understand the impact of vitamin A deficiency and HIV infection on infant growth and immune cell counts. Biostatistician Colin Wu used curve estimation to produce a broader picture of these phenomena, allowing for comparisons at various stages. This technique has proven helpful in tracking changes over time...
Depression After Heart Attack Raises Risk For Both Women, Men
Research finds depression after a heart attack is a key risk factor for cardiac causes in both women and men, with similar impact on survival. Despite the higher prevalence of depression among women, they did not die at significantly higher rates than depressed men.