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Science News for August 19, 2002


Promising multi-strain HIV vaccine candidate emerges

A new HIV vaccine candidate has shown promising results, targeting a shared characteristic of all HIV strains and generating antibodies that neutralize a wide range of isolates. The complex could serve as a useful model for HIV vaccine development, bringing researchers closer to their goal of developing an effective vaccine.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Biotechnology Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2002

Ending at square 1: Does order of good & bad events matter to consumers?

Researchers found that consumers' psychological state changes even if their economic state doesn't, with the magnitude of this 'order effect' increasing over time. The study has practical implications for marketers and regulators, who can influence consumer perceptions by altering the sequence of information presentation.

Pediatric autopsies

A new study analyzing over 7,000 pediatric autopsies found that nearly 60 specimens suggested diagnoses of metabolic disorders as the underlying cause of infant and child deaths. The most commonly detected disorders were medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and glutaric acidemia type I and II deficiencies.

SourceAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry·JournalClinical Chemistry·DateAug 19, 2002

Occupational therapy is cost effective, significantly improves quality of life for seniors

A USC study found that preventive occupational therapy significantly improves quality of life and reduces medical costs for seniors. The study involved three groups of culturally diverse adults over 60, with the intervention group showing marked improvements in physical and emotional well-being without increasing healthcare costs.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 19, 2002