Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 3, 2003


Post-discharge factors could explain why poor heart disease patients have worse outcomes

A Duke University Medical Center analysis found that poverty is associated with worse short- and intermediate-term outcomes in heart disease patients, despite similar levels of care while in the hospital. Post-discharge factors such as poor diet, smoking, and non-compliance with medications contribute to these poorer outcomes.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 3, 2003

Cooking oil to fight fat and cholesterol

A new blend of cooking oil made from medium chain triglycerides (MCT) has been shown to heighten metabolism, lower cholesterol levels, and promote weight loss. In two clinical trials, participants who consumed the oil for 27 days experienced significant reductions in body fat and upper body fat, as well as improved blood lipid profiles.

SourceMcGill University·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateJun 3, 2003

Going vegetarian?

A well-planned vegetarian diet provides numerous health benefits, including lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol. Vegetarians tend to have healthier body weight, lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.

SourceAmerican Dietetic Association·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJun 3, 2003

New FPGA program techniques kick 'but'

Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed new FPGA programming techniques that can automatically translate programs into pipelined designs and optimize software for fixed-property chips. This allows for a low-cost, high-speed bridge from existing application software to FPGA platforms, reducing design time by ...

Other highlights of the June 4 JNCI

A study of over 78,000 women found that those who worked rotating night shifts for years had a 35% greater risk of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally, research on melanoma suggests two separate pathways may lead to its development, and polymorphisms in certain genes may be associated with prostate cancer risk.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 3, 2003

Engineering a solution to waste crisis

Cardiff University researchers are conducting large-scale experiments to generate compost from municipal waste, aiming to reduce landfill gas emissions and save soil quality. By actively managing the composting process, they can produce high-quality compost in just eight weeks, compared to a year under traditional methods.

Antidepressant found to reduce hot flashes

A recent study found that paroxetine significantly reduced the frequency of hot flashes in menopausal women by 64.6%, with up to 30% experiencing no flashes after six weeks. The medication worked by inhibiting serotonin reuptake, a natural chemical modulating mood and temperature control.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateJun 3, 2003