Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2003 - Page 72


Page 72 of 108

Modified adenovirus offers new approach to treating aggressive brain tumors

A modified adenovirus, Delta-24-RGD, has shown improved infectivity and replication efficiency compared to the unmodified Delta-24. This leads to increased cytopathic effects and prolonged survival rates in mouse models of human glioma. The authors conclude that Delta-24-RGD may be an effective agent in treating gliomas.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 6, 2003

Troubling news about sea otter deaths

A new UC Davis analysis reveals that adult sea otters in California are dying at an alarming rate due to diseases and parasites. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the otters died from disease, with parasitic infections being a major cause, including thorny-headed worms and protozoa.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateMay 6, 2003

Pregnant African American teens need more calcium for healthy fetal bone development

A retrospective cohort study found that pregnant teens, particularly those from under-resourced backgrounds, require adequate calcium intake to support fetal bone growth. The study's findings suggest a correlation between high maternal dairy consumption and improved fetal bone length and overall nutrition.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 5, 2003

Without enzyme catalyst, slowest known biological reaction takes 1 trillion years

Researchers have found a biological transformation that occurs at an astonishingly slow rate of 1 trillion years in the absence of an enzyme catalyst. Enzymes can speed up this reaction by millions of times. This discovery provides insight into how natural selection has evolved enzymes to accelerate biochemical processes.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2003

All foods can fit

Researchers found that mixed-diet eaters had higher intakes of essential nutrients like calcium and fiber. The study suggests that people don't have to feel guilty about eating favorite foods as long as they maintain a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

SourceAmerican Dietetic Association·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateMay 5, 2003

Cardiac surgeons prove decreased mortality with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

A new study by NYU Langone Health's cardiac surgeons found that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) reduces hospital mortality, stroke risk, and complication rates in high-risk patients with severe aortic atherosclerosis. OPCAB results in lower mortality rates (6.5% vs 11.4%) and shorter hospital stays compared to conventi...

Army ants have defied evolution for 100 million years

A study by Sean Brady reveals that army ants originated from the same source on Gondwana 100 million years ago, instead of evolving independently on separate continents. The ants' unique characteristics, including nomadic behavior and reproductive adaptation, have remained unchanged over time.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2003

Puerto Rican migrants to NYC engage in riskier drug use

Researchers found that Puerto Rican migrants injected drugs more often and visited shooting galleries, which have higher levels of needle sharing. However, users who remained in Puerto Rico showed similar risky behavior as migrant counterparts who returned to the island, suggesting migrants learned these behaviors in Puerto Rico.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMay 5, 2003

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, May 6, 2003

A study found that 10 days of doxycycline antibiotic therapy is as effective as a 20-day course for early Lyme disease. Additionally, researchers discovered that many people cannot accurately recall if they or family members had skin diseases contraindicating smallpox vaccination, potentially increasing the risk of widespread vaccination.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 5, 2003