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Science News Archive October 2001


Page 1 of 8

Majority of pediatric cancer patients use alternative therapies: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center survey

A recent survey conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that nearly three-quarters of pediatric cancer patients in western Washington use alternative therapies. The most common types of alternative medicine used were herbal and high-dose vitamin supplements, which were reported to have substantial improvements in ...

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateOct 31, 2001

Foxo1 and the insulin resistance of cultured kidney cells

Researchers discovered that Foxo1 is involved in regulating glucose metabolism and promoting insulin resistance in cultured kidney cells. Increased Foxo1 activity was linked to decreased insulin sensitivity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating related disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 31, 2001

Heroin users released from methadone detox or jail may be at higher risk for overdose, according to UCSF researchers

Researchers found four characteristics independently associated with recent overdoses in a San Francisco Bay Area population: homelessness, lengthy prison sentences, and sex work. Targeted interventions to decrease overdose risk are urgently needed, according to the study's lead author.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 31, 2001

DDR2 and hepatic fibrosis

Research has identified DDR2 as a key player in the development of hepatic fibrosis, a liver disease characterized by excessive scar tissue buildup. High levels of DDR2 expression have been linked to advanced fibrosis and poor patient outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 31, 2001

Early iron deficiency

Researchers are using innovative noninvasive techniques to study the developing central nervous system in early iron deficiency, which affects brain development and behavior. The study aims to understand the ties between the brain and behavior, with potential implications for creating more effective interventions.

Sharp drop in stress hormones may set stage for arthritis, multiple sclerosis after pregnancy

Researchers found that levels of IL-12 and TNF alpha decreased during pregnancy, while cortisol, norepinephrine, and 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D3 increased. After birth, these stress hormones surged, possibly contributing to the resurgence of immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 30, 2001

UCLA scientists discover stress accelerates AIDS progression, undermines anti-HIV drugs' effect

A study of 13 HIV-positive men found that those with high levels of autonomic nervous system activity responded less well to antiretroviral treatment, with some experiencing no immune recovery. Stress accelerates AIDS progression by increasing viral replication and making it harder for the body to fight off the infection.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2001

Movement of single molecules imaged in live organism

Researchers successfully imaged single molecules of cAMP binding to receptors on the surface of living amoebae, providing new insights into chemotaxis and cell movement. The study's real-time video reveals how receptors behave when detecting cAMP gradients, allowing cells to respond faster to changes in their environment.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateOct 29, 2001

Who ya gonna call?

The NRL's Humvee-based communications system can provide two-way satellite commercial links and a private cellular telephone network. It can also handle streaming video, making it an essential tool for emergency response teams.

Anthrax dectectors are coming

A researcher has developed a new detector that can identify airborne anthrax and other biological particles in under 30 minutes. The device uses lasers and acoustic sensors to detect the presence of microorganisms, offering significant improvements over existing methods.