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Science News for September 4, 2001


Study urges caution in nuclear deregulation

A study led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Vicki Bier found no evidence that deregulation causes widespread safety lapses in the US nuclear power industry. However, it warned that the speed of change after deregulation could create potential safety hazards, and highlighted concerns over organizational changes, rapid downs...

One-tenth of medical residents feel unprepared to manage clinical issues they will likely face in practice

A study of 4,832 medical residents found that one-tenth feel unprepared to handle tasks like HIV/AIDS treatment, substance abuse, and chronic pain management. Residents reported a positive view of their training for common clinical problems but expressed concern about inadequate preparation for non-traditional patient populations.

Study aims to prevent asthma

Researchers are conducting a study called Prevention of Early Asthma in Kids (PEAK) to explore the potential of early treatment in preventing asthma. The study involves enrolling children aged 2-4 with wheezing episodes and one additional risk factor, taking fluticasone or a placebo twice daily for two years.

Welfare benefits may not keep people healthy

An international study found that unemployed individuals who received welfare-type benefits reported negative health effects, while those with unemployment insurance payments did not. This study suggests that need-based benefits like welfare are ineffective in maintaining the health of the unemployed.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 4, 2001

PET scan results change patient management for sixty percent of breast cancer patients

A new study found that PET scans changed clinical management for 60% of women with recurrent breast cancer, including shifting from surgery to radiation therapy or medical treatment. The scan also significantly impacted disease staging, upstaging 28% and downstaging 8%, leading to more patients being classified as stage IV.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateSep 4, 2001

Penn engineers develop fuel cell that uses liquid diesel, the first such device to run on a widely available fuel

The University of Pennsylvania team has developed a fuel cell that can run directly on liquid diesel, sidestepping the need to reform fuels into hydrogen. This breakthrough could enable wider adoption of fuel cells in transportation and other applications, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional energy sources.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateSep 4, 2001

Brain circuitry involved in language reveals differences in man, non-human primates

Scientists discovered microscopic differences in minicolumns, a group of brain cells involved in language, between humans and non-human primates. These findings suggest that the human brain is organized differently than its primate counterparts, which may explain the complexity of human communication.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateSep 4, 2001