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Science News Archive 2000 - Page 37


Page 37 of 66

Community programs can help prevent heart disease

A community program in rural Maine associated with a significant decrease in heart disease death rates, thanks to its comprehensive approach to tracking patient risk factors and providing lifestyle education. The study suggests that such programs can be an effective way to blunt the worldwide cardiovascular disease epidemic.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 18, 2000

Primary care falls short on helping people with diabetes to help themselves

A recent study reveals that primary care practices neglect to counsel diabetic patients on how to self-manage their illness, leading to a lack of comprehensive disease management. Despite this, patients who utilized community resources for support received more medical and counseling-related services from their physicians.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 18, 2000

Global warming may be delayed by increase in ocean silica

Boston College scientist Kevin G. Harrison proposes the Silica Hypothesis, which suggests that increasing ocean silica levels can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing global warming. This mechanism may be responsible for decreased atmospheric CO2 levels during glacial times and could be relevant to today's climate change.

SourceBoston College·JournalPaleoceanography·DateJun 18, 2000

Loss of estrogen affects different cognitive abilities, says new study, and may have implications for hormonal replacement therapies in humans

A new study on rhesus monkeys found that those without functioning ovaries performed better on spatial memory tasks than monkeys with intact ovaries. This suggests that the lack of estrogen may protect against age-related decline in certain aspects of spatial memory.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateJun 17, 2000

Canada's leading arthritis investigators and practitioners meeting to discuss latest developments in arthritis research

The Canadian Arthritis Network hosts its Annual Conference 2000 in Toronto, bringing together researchers and clinicians to find solutions for the disease affecting over four million Canadians. The symposium will focus on new approaches to diagnosing and treating arthritis, including innovative strategies to repair cartilage defects.

A fly's eye view

Researchers study energy consumption in insect brains to better understand human brain function and develop more effective treatments for stroke patients. The team's findings could also improve our understanding of state-of-the-art scanning techniques like MRI and PET.

Researchers develop tastier low-fat cheddar

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new low-fat cheddar formulation that delivers several taste-enhancing compounds. The blend of three bacterial starter cultures reduces bitterness and adds clean, buttery notes, making it an attractive option for health-conscious cheese fanciers.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 14, 2000

Simple new method holds great promise for treating carbon monoxide poisoning quickly and easily

A new treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning has been developed, which can be applied by paramedics to speed up the elimination of the poison from victims' bodies. The treatment involves adding a specific mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide to an oxygen mask, increasing the rate of carbon monoxide elimination up to three times.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 14, 2000

Hyperactive Cdc42 causes malignant growth

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered how a hyperactive form of the molecular switch Cdc42 disrupts orderly cell growth, leading to cancer. The team found that Cdc42 increases protein shuttling, overstimulating cellular activities and causing hallmarks of cancer cells.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2000

UF study: thin may be in for high fashion, but most people find variety of sizes acceptable

A University of Florida study found that most Americans consider mid-range body sizes attractive and socially acceptable. In contrast to the idealized thin figure often seen in media, participants preferred a range of builds from slender to rounded. As people age, they become more tolerant of varying body sizes.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateJun 13, 2000

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for June

Two studies found a decrease in respiratory illnesses among school-age children after improved air quality. Lung function continued to grow in adolescents despite cessation of growth in height, with males showing greater gains. A new diagnostic test for asthma in young children was also developed.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 13, 2000

Study shows a combination of Antabuse and buprenorphine may be effective in treating those addicted to cocaine

A study combining disulfiram (Antabuse) with buprenorphine found that participants who received both experienced longer periods of cocaine abstinence and achieved continuous abstinence sooner than those receiving only buprenorphine. No significant differences were observed in opiate abstinence between the two groups.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJun 12, 2000

Less-coercive policies boost child support

A new study by Cornell University and the University of Colorado found that state child-support guidelines increase the probability of unwed mothers receiving awards, often increasing their size. In contrast, guidelines for divorced or separated women with children have little impact on award levels.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Human Resources·DateJun 12, 2000

Gene discovery provides link between neurological disorders

Researchers discovered a new gene, neurofilament light, associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects peripheral nerves and leads to progressive weakness. The defect is linked to demyelination, resulting in axonal loss and muscle denervation, also seen in other neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

SourceThe American Journal of Human Genetics·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJun 12, 2000

Estrogen fails test as Alzheimer's treatment

A study published in Neurology found that estrogen had no effect on improving memory and mental functions in postmenopausal women with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease after a 12-week period. Researchers suggest further trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of estrogen in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJun 12, 2000

Alaska forestry research set for global impact

A new study published in Nature magazine suggests that warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are affecting the growth rates of white spruce trees in Alaska. The researchers found that drought-like conditions are inhibiting tree growth, leading to a reduced capacity for these trees to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Nine cancer centers share $8.9 million grant to improve treatment for neuroblastoma, a cancer that strikes children

A nationwide consortium of nine institutions aims to improve treatment outcomes for children with neuroblastoma by testing new therapies and sharing research information. The project has already shown promising results in improving disease-free survival rates and may lead to faster development of effective treatments.