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Science News for September 29, 1999


Keep taking the medicine, diabetes research warns

A recent study found that nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes stop taking their oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs), leading to a higher risk of complications such as blindness, amputation, and cardiovascular problems. The study revealed that individuals who discontinued treatment were almost three times more likely to die than thos...

Laser heart treatment shown to be safe and effective at lowering pain associated with heart disease

Researchers found that transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) improves angina by at least 2 classes in 72% of patients, while also increasing myocardial perfusion by 20%. TMR safely and effectively improved heart function over a 12-month period, driving its use with difficult bypass and angioplasty procedures.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 29, 1999

Robots to the rescue

A robotic caterpillar, Moccasin II, has been developed to navigate through gas, water, and sewerage pipes in buildings damaged by earthquakes or explosions. The robot can successfully navigate multiple 90-degree bends and is equipped with lights, a video camera, and microphones to detect survivors.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 29, 1999

Pollution makes crustaceans adapt rapidly

Biologists at Cornell University and Max Planck Institute found that Daphnia crustaceans can evolve quickly to cope with polluted water. The study showed that these tiny crustaceans adapted to handle less nutritious food, becoming a natural control for toxic cyanobacteria in Lake Constance.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateSep 29, 1999

Say goodbye to wires in the office

A new device called the chaos mirror is invented to improve infrared networking technology in crowded offices. It uses a box enclosing seven highly reflective surfaces to split narrow incoming beams into a widely spread array of reflected beams, vastly increasing the chances of beam finding its target.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 29, 1999

Review identifies factors leading to better outcome for some metastatic breast cancer patients

Researchers found that patients who previously received hormone therapy with tamoxifen, had no prior chemotherapy, and had limited metastases were more likely to live longer after high-dose chemotherapy with transplant. This study suggests that closely monitoring high-risk patients can improve treatment outcomes.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 29, 1999