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Science News Archive June 2002 - Page 5


Page 5 of 8

Direct thought control

In a breakthrough study, monkeys were trained to move balls around on a screen using brain signals, achieving accuracy and speed comparable to normal arm movements. The technique has implications for people with paralysis who may be able to learn to control prosthetic limbs through thought control.

SourceWhitaker Foundation·JournalScience·DateJun 14, 2002

Acarbose could delay onset of type-2 diabetes

In a large clinical trial, patients with impaired glucose tolerance who took acarbose were 25% less likely to develop type-2 diabetes than those taking placebo. Acarbose also helped reversion of impaired glucose tolerance to normal glucose tolerance. The main side effects were flatulence and diarrhea.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 13, 2002

Eye drops can delay onset of glaucoma

A recent study found that eye drops can delay the onset of glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure by approximately 20%. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) followed 1,636 participants with elevated eye pressure and showed a significant reduction in glaucoma development among those who received treatment. This breakthrough...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateJun 13, 2002

Tobacco money – Up in smoke?

Researchers argue that NY-ELCAP cannot determine if spiral CT screening saves lives due to a lack of control group. The study's design flaw could lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment for some participants.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 13, 2002

CEO salaries are checked at companies with a powerful shareholder or threat of bankruptcy

A study by Prof. Praveen Kumar and colleagues found that a CEO's equity compensation is negatively related to the fraction of the firm held by the largest external shareholder who poses a takeover threat to managerial control. Mid-sized boards with majority stake challenge CEOs for greater equity, limiting raises.

Discovery of three faint companions of bright stars

Astronomers at Penn State have discovered three faint dwarf stars orbiting nearby bright stars, marking a new era in imaging faint objects. The discovery uses an infrared camera with a specially shaped pupil mask, allowing for improved contrast and revealing the dim companions.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 12, 2002

Beyond copolymer 1

Researchers at JCI Journals have made significant strides in understanding the biological function and clinical relevance of copolymers. The study's findings hold promise for developing new treatments for various human diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 12, 2002

Does your brain shutdown with Alzheimer's?

A study reveals that Alzheimer's plaques can cause a flood of negative ions to drain healthy cells of their charge, leading to cell death. Researchers found that certain drugs can reverse this effect, suggesting a new direction for therapy development.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateJun 12, 2002

Rock-eating fungi helps trees

Researchers discovered that some trees use fungi to obtain calcium from an intermediate pool of apatite, previously unknown as a plant-available source. This finding has implications for forest management and understanding the effects of acid rain on forests.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2002

Quantum computing with individual atoms

The University of Michigan researchers have successfully cooled a single atom to near absolute zero using laser cooling, a crucial step toward scaling up trapped atom computers. The proposal outlines a 'quantum charge-coupled device' architecture that could be used for large-scale quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2002