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Science News Archive 2003 - Page 13


Page 13 of 108

Virginia Tech's 'X' officially number 3

The Virginia Tech 'X' supercomputer boasts 10.28 teraflops performance, a remarkable feat considering its construction took just two months and $5.2 million price tag. This achievement ranks X as the third fastest globally, outperforming many high-end supercomputers

Women and men differ on adopting healthy behaviors

A recent study found that men are more likely than women to adopt healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and quitting smoking. Women, on the other hand, were less confident in their ability to make these changes. The researchers hope their findings can be used to assist both men and women with adopting healthier lifestyles.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateNov 17, 2003

Buckwheat may be beneficial for managing diabetes

Researchers found that buckwheat extract can reduce blood glucose concentrations in rats with chemically-induced diabetes by 12-19%, suggesting its potential as a management aid. The active component chiro-inositol may play a role in this effect, although further studies are needed to confirm the results.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateNov 17, 2003

Marriage promotion plan must take social science research into account

A marriage promotion plan should prioritize social science research, acknowledging that single-parent families can be beneficial for children with adequate support. Cherlin's research highlights the limited value of traditional programs and the importance of addressing underlying factors such as lower income and mental health issues.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·Journalسياقات اللغة والدراسات البينية·DateNov 17, 2003

Microneedles: Report describes progress in new technology for painless drug delivery

Researchers at Georgia Tech have made significant progress in developing hollow and solid microneedles that can deliver proteins, nanoparticles, and large molecules through the skin with minimal pain. The technology has potential applications in treating various diseases, including diabetes.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2003

New treatment appears effective for rosacea

A new treatment using 15% azelaic acid gel has been shown to be more effective than metronidazole gel in reducing rosacea symptoms. Patients who used the azelaic acid gel experienced a greater reduction in redness and lesion count compared to those who used metronidazole gel.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateNov 17, 2003

Psoriasis may increase risk for certain cancers

A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that people with psoriasis are at a higher risk for developing certain types of cancers, including lymphoma. The research suggests an almost three-fold increased rate of lymphoma in patients with psoriasis compared to those without the condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateNov 17, 2003

Two worms are better than one

The C. briggsae genome sequence enhances biologists' ability to mine C. elegans for biological insights, revealing new genes and functional elements. The study also highlights the rapid evolution of C. elegans and C. briggsae genomes compared to mammals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 17, 2003

JCI Table of Contents, November 14, 2003

Two independent studies successfully selected and expanded gene-corrected human stem cells using a novel drug-resistance gene. This breakthrough may be useful in human clinical trials of gene therapy for bone marrow transplantation settings. Additionally, upregulation of Irs2 promotes beta cell growth, survival, and insulin secretion, ...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 14, 2003

Epilepsy at the movies

A study analyzing 62 movies across four continents found that epilepsy is often stereotyped, with males shown as violent and females as exotic and vulnerable. The dramatic potential of seizures may contribute to these portrayals.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateNov 14, 2003

Stem cell gene therapy: selecting only the best

Researchers successfully transferred and expressed MGMT into relatively few hematopoietic stem cells using a lentivirus vector, enabling gene-corrected cells to repopulate the hematopoietic compartment. This breakthrough has significant implications for human clinical trials of gene therapy in bone marrow transplantation settings.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 14, 2003

Medium-firm mattresses best for low back pain

A study published in The Lancet found that medium-firm mattresses can significantly improve symptoms of low back pain, including reductions in pain while lying down and getting out of bed. Participants who used medium-firm mattresses reported twice the improvements compared to those using firm mattresses.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 13, 2003