Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2000 - Page 6


Page 6 of 6

Low dose estrogen improves bone health

A low dose of estrogen was as effective as a higher dose in reducing bone turnover and preventing osteoporosis in older women. The study found that women taking 0.25 mg estradiol had no more side effects than those taking a placebo, improving bone health with fewer risks.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 3, 2000

New MRI technology provides detailed views of brain development, response to injury

The new Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DT-MRI) technology provides detailed maps of brain networks and allows for diagnosis of medical conditions like stroke, as well as assessment of neurological disorders. DT-MRI also holds promise for imaging skeletal muscles, heart, and circulatory system.

Mammography no more sensitive in women with family history of breast cancer, says UCSF/SFVAMC study

A new study by UCSF/SFVAMC researchers found that mammography is equally effective in detecting breast cancer in women with and without a family history. The study analyzed data from over 389,000 women and showed that mammography detects nearly 85% of cancers in women aged 50-69, regardless of family history.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 3, 2000

Finding could lead to new approach for treating severe heart disease

A new study by UCSF researchers found that delivering the VEGF growth factor into mice with coronary heart disease prompted the growth of blood vessels in damaged heart tissue without causing side effects. This approach could lead to a treatment strategy for severe coronary heart disease that has been met with setbacks.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2000

Fred Hutchinson researchers present preliminary clinical results with antibody to treat severe graft versus host disease

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have shown promising results with a new antibody treatment, Nuvion, in patients with severe graft versus host disease. The study found that Nuvion was well-tolerated and achieved complete responses in six of nine patients who received a single dose.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateDec 3, 2000

Manganese exposure may speed the emergence of Parkinson's disease symptoms, according to new findings in animals

Researchers found that low-level manganese exposure accelerates Parkinson's symptoms in rats with pre-Parkinsonism, highlighting the need for further studies on toxic substance effects. Manganese toxicity targets different brain regions, exacerbating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNeurotoxicology and Teratology·DateDec 3, 2000

Antibody-targeted chemotherapy-induced remission and stem-cell transplantation prolong disease-free survival for leukemia patients

A study at the American Society of Hematology Meeting found that patients with acute myeloid leukemia who achieve remission with Mylotarg have prolonged disease-free survival following stem cell transplantation. Researchers also observed fewer complications from bone marrow transplants compared to traditional treatment.

People are poor at cross-race facial recognition because they concentrate on racial features rather than individual features, according to new study

A new study by Kent State University psychologist Daniel T. Levin found that people's brains tend to classify faces as belonging to a specific race, rather than recognizing individual features. This 'cross-race recognition deficit' affects people of all racial groups and can lead to inaccurate identifications.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateDec 2, 2000