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Science News for April 27, 2004


Airport baggage screeners may need continuing education, study indicates

A study published in Psychological Science found that initial training for airport screeners is insufficient, highlighting the need for continuing education. The research showed that screeners improve at detecting specific weapons but struggle with transferable skills, leading to a higher risk of false identifications and missed targets.

Study: New neurons can get out of spinal cord

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully coaxed new motor neurons out of embryonic stem cells and into the spinal cords of paralyzed rats. The study, funded by various organizations, aims to overcome a major hurdle in clinical therapy for motor neuron diseases like ALS and SMA.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2004

New UNC study shows Hurricane Floyd boosted abuse and non-abuse brain injuries in children

A new UNC study found that child abuse brain injuries were five times more common in the hardest-hit counties after Hurricane Floyd, while non-abuse injuries increased by over 10 times. The research suggests that families affected by the disaster experienced heightened stress, poverty, and depression.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 27, 2004