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Science News for October 16, 2002


Steep increase in antidepressant use, study shows

A Canadian study found a 353% increase in antidepressant prescriptions from 3.2 million to 14.5 million between 1981 and 2000, outpacing the country's population growth. The study suggests increased awareness and better understanding of depression may be contributing factors, but the underlying cause remains unclear.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAnnals of Pharmacotherapy·DateOct 16, 2002

The Lancet Neurology November press release

The Lancet Neurology recently published a series of articles discussing the latest evidence on Alzheimer's disease, including preventative anti-inflammatory clinical trials and the role of secretases in producing amyloid-beta peptide. Researchers argue that these approaches hold promise for preventing or slowing the onset of the disease.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateOct 16, 2002

Heart failure mortality substantial among elderly

A large study of older adults with heart failure found that those with diastolic heart failure had significantly higher mortality rates than those with systolic heart failure. Diastolic heart failure, which affects the heart's main chamber filling with blood, has a much higher prevalence among elderly patients and is responsible for mo...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 16, 2002

Geneticists tell ostrich farmers the secrets of sex

Researchers from Brazil have developed a genetic technique that can accurately sex ostrich chicks as young as five days old using feather samples. The new method involves polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and has been shown to agree with traditional surgical methods, opening up new possibilities for commercial ostrich breeders.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biotechnology·DateOct 16, 2002

Surfing a Black Hole

A star orbiting the massive Milky Way centre has been observed approaching the central black hole to within three times the distance between the Sun and Pluto. The new measurements provide conclusive evidence for the existence of a supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateOct 16, 2002