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Science News Archive 2004 - Page 59


Page 59 of 135

Leptin has layers of control

Research finds that leptin controls hypothalamic prohormone convertases 1 and 2, influencing thyrotopin-releasing hormone production. This regulation plays a key role in energy balance and may lead to novel treatments for obesity and thyroid axis disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 2, 2004

Involvement in bullying linked with poor psychosocial adjustment

A study of over 113,000 adolescents from 25 countries found that involvement in bullying was associated with poor physical health, emotional adjustment, school performance, peer relationships, alcohol use, and carrying weapons. The researchers also observed a significant overlap between bullies, victims, and bully-victims.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2004

New diagnostic technology helps justify earlier cataract surgery

A new study using wavefront diagnostic equipment has shown that different types of cataracts produce identifiable results, allowing for accurate measurement of visual errors and improved treatment. This technology can help reduce the number of patients unable to receive early treatment due to inadequate or outdated testing methods.

SourceAmerican Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery·JournalJournal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery·DateAug 2, 2004

Another key for the p53 door

YY1 regulates p53 at multiple levels, decreasing its amount in cells and blocking its interaction with cofactors. This discovery offers new targeting options for therapies to prevent transcription factors from interacting with other proteins.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2004

Stroking up cellular therapy

Researchers found that administering CD34+ cells to mice with stroke damage led to increased new blood vessel growth and improved neural regeneration through the production of growth factors. The findings provide direct evidence for the importance of angiogenesis in repairing stroke damage.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 2, 2004

MayoClinic.com receives top honors

MayoClinic.com empowers people to manage their health with useful and up-to-date information and tools from a team of over 2,000 physicians and scientists. The site is owned by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research and serves as a dependable source of health information.

Wasting away in muscle-ville

Researchers identified myosin heavy chain as a selective target in cancer cachexia, a condition characterized by muscle wasting. The study found that TNF-a/IFN-g-dependent loss of myosin heavy chain occurred through different mechanisms depending on the model used.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 2, 2004

Achieving 'adulthood' is more elusive; transition to adulthood occurring at a later age

The traditional definition of adulthood is shifting, with education, employment, and financial independence becoming key markers. Researchers found that it takes longer for young adults to become self-sufficient, with many living in their parents' homes or requiring financial assistance from their families.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·Journalسياقات اللغة والدراسات البينية·DateAug 2, 2004

Physicists discover dramatic difference in behavior of matter versus antimatter

The BaBar experiment at SLAC has discovered striking matter-antimatter asymmetry in the decay of B and anti-B mesons. The researchers found a clear signal for direct charge parity (CP) violation, with a preference for B meson decays over anti-B meson decays by 13%. This effect is significantly stronger than observed in kaons.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 2, 2004

Adolescents hospitalized for psychiatric disorders experience more emotional distress in adulthood

A 20-year study found that adolescents hospitalized for psychiatric disorders experienced more emotional distress, died at a higher rate, and had limited educational attainment compared to their peers. The researchers emphasize the need for ongoing mental health support and education to mitigate these outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2004

Levels of certain hormones may be increased by stress

Researchers found that acute stress increases levels of DHEA-S in healthy humans and the DHEA-S-cortisol ratio is associated with reduced dissociation symptoms. The study suggests that augmentation of DHEA-S levels before stress exposure may provide a protective effect against stress-induced symptoms.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateAug 2, 2004

American Thoracic Society journal news tips for August 2004 (first issue)

Researchers found that a high-fiber diet from fruits and soy foods reduces the incidence of chronic respiratory symptoms, particularly cough with phlegm production. Additionally, brief exposure to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can lead to infection, as detected by rapid molecular testing in hospital contacts.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 2, 2004

ASCO releases new technology assessment

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released a new technology assessment recommending against the use of chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance assays. The assessment found limitations in the literature, including small sample sizes and low yield of assays, cast doubt on their effectiveness in determining treatment.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 2, 2004

Antipsychotic drug prescriptions nearly double for kids with ADHD

A study published in Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine found that antipsychotic medication prescriptions for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased dramatically between 1996 and 2001, from 23 per 10,000 to 45 per 10,000. The use of these medications for ASDHD/conduct disorders also rose signific...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2004

Landmark survey reports on the prevalence of personality disorders in the United States

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) survey found that over 16 million Americans had a personality disorder, with avoidant, dependent, and paranoid disorders more prevalent among females. The study highlights the importance of addressing these conditions to prevent further impairment.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateAug 2, 2004

Study shows impact of emotionally healthy fathers when mothers' poor mental health affects children

A new study finds that a father's mental health has a significant impact on a child's behavioral and emotional problems, especially if the mother is struggling with depression. The research suggests that emotionally healthy fathers can substantially reduce the negative influence of a mother's poor mental health.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 2, 2004

In search of a lean gene

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a lean gene, C/EBPbeta, which helps mice live longer and weigh less. The gene's activation may help jump-start metabolism in fat cells, preventing fat accumulation. Another study found that targeting the JIP1 protein can effectively protect against obesity and insulin resistance.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateAug 1, 2004

Pioneering the basics for new kind of cancer vaccine

Scientists at Mayo Clinic develop novel approach to cancer vaccine that leverages inflammatory cell death to trigger a strong anti-tumor immune response, eradicating skin cancer tumors without triggering autoimmune disease. The breakthrough sheds light on a major obstacle in advancing cancer vaccine research from lab to human trials.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 1, 2004

DNA variations surprise researchers

Researchers using new genome scanning technologies found stretches of DNA varying by hundreds of thousands of chemical bases that were present or absent in healthy individuals' genomes. This challenge long-held beliefs about the limited nature of genetic variation.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 1, 2004

Radiofrequency ablation safe and feasible for eradicating lung tumors

In a study of 18 patients with inoperable lung tumors, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was found to eradicate lung tumors with no relapse in 94% of cases. Minor complications, including pneumothorax, were treated successfully, and the procedure offered benefits such as low costs, short hospitalization times, and good patient tolerance.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateAug 1, 2004