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Science News Archive 2002 - Page 49


Page 49 of 93

NY Regents standards inadvertently increasing dropouts

The survey found that in half of the state's school districts, students are opting for a General Equivalency Development (GED) certification instead of passing Regents courses. This trend is serving as a pressure release on the system, with students enrolled in GED programs being reported as transfers and not high school dropouts.

Gene expression profiles predict survival of lymphoma patients after chemotherpy

Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles from thousands of lymphoma biopsy samples to identify predictive genes that can predict patient response to treatment and survival rates. The study found that a formula created from 17 key genes could accurately classify patients into four groups with varying five-year survival rates.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 19, 2002

New method for 'visualizing' proteins

A new technique uses ESR to measure distances between atoms in proteins, revealing the overall structure of a molecule. This method is particularly useful for studying larger protein assemblies and membrane-embedded proteins, which are challenging to study using traditional methods.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 19, 2002

Chemists make first boron nanowhiskers

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully made boron nanowhiskers, the world's first crystalline nanowires, exhibiting semiconducting behavior and potential as key materials in nanoelectronics. The discovery could lead to the development of more reliable conductors, solving limitations faced by carbon nanotubes.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 18, 2002

New study sheds light on frog malformations

Researchers found that increasing UVB levels in wetlands are associated with an increased frequency of frog malformations. The study suggests that UV radiation may be a significant contributor to the decline of amphibian populations, particularly in areas where ozone depletion and climate change reduce natural UV protection.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 18, 2002

Early statin use refined

A new analysis suggests that early statin use after a heart attack is only effective in patients with high cholesterol levels above the recommended guidelines. The study found no difference in mortality rates between those who received early statins and those who did not.

Breast cancer mortality may be tied to prolonged exposure to low dose radiation

A study of female radiologic technologists found that prolonged exposure to low dose radiation is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer mortality. Women who started working as radiologic technologists before 1940 were nearly three times more likely to die from breast cancer than those who began working in 1960 or later.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 18, 2002

Molecular 'stop signs' may hold secret of nerve regeneration

Scientists have identified brain chemicals that can stimulate nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury, providing a potential new target for intervention. By understanding how these chemicals interact with inhibitors, researchers hope to develop treatments to repair damaged nerve cells and improve outcomes for patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2002

Genetic manifestation of melanoma linked to geographic location

A study found that genetic mutation penetrance for melanoma varies by geographic location, with higher risks in countries like the US and Australia. Researchers suggest environmental factors contribute to this variation, contradicting previous assumptions about gene mutations and their impact on disease expression.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 18, 2002

'Sloppy genes' behave like their neighbours

Researchers found over 200 groups of adjacent and similarly expressed genes in Drosophila melanogaster, accounting for approximately 20% of the genome. The 'sloppy' regulation may reflect chromatin's packaging and influence gene expression more by accident than design.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateJun 18, 2002

Tomato packs more cancer-fighting punch

Researchers at Purdue University and the USDA have developed tomatoes with significantly higher levels of lycopene, a key cancer-fighting antioxidant. The genetically modified tomatoes contain up to 3.5 times more lycopene than conventional varieties, which may help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 18, 2002

Experience alters how we perceive emotion

A recent study by Seth Pollak found that children who have experienced physical abuse categorize facial expressions differently than non-abused children. Abused children identified more faces as being 'angry' rather than fearful or sad. This suggests that experience can shape how people perceive and understand emotions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2002

UNC study: Americans getting obese earlier, ethnic groups put on weight at different rates

A new UNC study finds that Hispanic men become obese 2.5 times faster than U.S. men of European ancestry, while black women become obese more than twice as fast as white women. The study also shows that the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults doubled over 40 years, with 61% now classified as obese or overweight.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 17, 2002