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Science News for April 9, 2002


Carnegie Mellon experiment reveals impact of fear, anger on American perceptions of terrorism

A national field experiment found that Americans who experience anger are more optimistic about the future, less likely to take precautionary actions, and more likely to favor aggressive policy responses. Media portrayals of terrorist attacks strongly influence emotional responses, producing anger in some instances and fear in others.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 9, 2002

Fantastic Voyage -- Filled buckeyball now a step closer to becoming a drug-delivery device

Researchers have successfully attached a water-soluble group to an 80-atom fullerene, creating a buckeyball with biological functionality. The aim is to get these molecules into the bloodstream for potential drug delivery. This innovation marks a first step in developing drugs and expands MRI reagents and nanotube applications.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 9, 2002

St. John's wort ineffective for depression

A large clinical trial found St. John's wort to be no more effective than placebo in treating moderately severe major depression. Researchers tested the supplement against the antidepressant sertraline and concluded that patients with moderate to severe depression should not self-medicate with St. John's wort.

SourceDuke University·JournalJAMA·DateApr 9, 2002

College drinking problems and research solutions

A new study reveals that college students contribute to an estimated 1,400 student deaths, 500,000 injuries, and 70,000 cases of sexual assault each year. The study proposes several strategies to prevent high-risk drinking, including increasing campus awareness campaigns, improving alcohol-free events, and providing counseling services.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol·DateApr 9, 2002