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Science News for August 16, 2004


Possible new cure for psoriasis

Researchers at the University of Bonn have found a new effective therapy for psoriasis by blocking the division of epidermis cells. The treatment, which uses metalloproteinase inhibitors, has shown no toxic side effects and may provide a promising solution for the condition.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateAug 16, 2004

Progress in breast cancer progression

Researchers found that NF-kB is essential for the initial transition stage of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. Inhibiting NF-kB after transition prevents cells from becoming invasive.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2004

JCI table of contents, 16 August, 2004

Researchers found that AMPK plays a vital role in protecting cells under conditions of a heart attack, including glucose uptake and preventing cardiac dysfunction. In contrast, mice without functional AMPK exhibited impaired contractile function and increased cell death after blood flow reduction.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2004
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Pollen-blocking cream may help reduce allergy symptoms

Researchers found that a new ointment, applied inside the nose, significantly reduced symptom scores in patients with allergic rhinitis. The treatment improved airflow by nearly 20 percent and reduced symptoms by about 60 percent compared to a placebo.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateAug 16, 2004

Breast cancer screening underutilized by ethnic women

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that only 38.5% of Urdu- and Hindi-speaking women had undergone a clinical breast examination, despite 83% being aware of the procedure. The study highlights gaps in knowledge about breast cancer risk and screening methods among South Asian immigrant women.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Immigrant Health·DateAug 16, 2004

VA beats managed care for diabetes, study finds

Researchers found VA patients received standard processes of care more often, including recommended tests and services, and had better diabetes control. The study suggests the VA's national system provides excellent quality care due to its integrated care and tracking mechanisms.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 16, 2004

Rare mutations can significantly increase risk factor for heart disease

Researchers identified rare genetic mutations that significantly increase heart disease risk by focusing on individuals at the extreme ends of HDL levels. These findings provide direct evidence that rare variations in DNA can affect HDL levels, opening up new avenues for treatment and diagnostic targets.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Female aboriginal inmates get bum rap

Research by University of Toronto criminologists reveals a systematic bias against Aboriginal women prisoners, leading to unfair classification rates and reduced privileges. The study found that 60% of Aboriginal women were classified as medium security risks despite committing fewer infractions in prison.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCanadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice/La Revue canadienne de criminologie et de justice pénale·DateAug 16, 2004

Massage therapists have high prevalence of hand dermatitis

A recent study found that massage therapists have a high prevalence of hand dermatitis, with those using aromatherapy products being over three times as likely to experience the condition. The researchers suggest conducting an educational campaign to reduce this risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateAug 16, 2004
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Anxiety not a barrier to a satisfying life, study says

Research suggests that depression significantly impacts life satisfaction, while anxiety has a minimal effect. A disposition to be cheerful is more important for happiness than external factors like success or popularity.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 16, 2004

Nerve cells 'guided' to repair spinal damage: Technique

A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Toronto has shown promise in guiding nerve cells to repair spinal damage. By using a series of fibrous rods with peptides, the team aims to stimulate cell adhesion and migration, bridging gaps between severed spine ends.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalBiomaterials·DateAug 16, 2004
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

MICs shed light on prostate cancer

Researchers found that prostate cancer cells shed immunostimulatory molecules, allowing them to evade the immune system's natural killer cell defense. Soluble MIC levels in serum correlated with high-grade and invasive tumor status, suggesting a potential biomarker for disease progression.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2004

Putting energy into heart protection

A recent study published in JCI Journals reveals that AMP-activated protein kinase plays a crucial role in protecting the heart against ischemic stress. The kinase mediates increased glucose uptake in the heart during ischemia, which helps prevent post-ischemic cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis, and injury.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2004

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, August 17, 2004

A meta-analysis found that cardiac resynchronization therapy improved the quality of life of people with heart failure, while a cost-effectiveness study showed it costs $90,000 per quality-adjusted life-year saved. Guidelines for follow-up colonoscopies were also criticized for being too often performed.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 16, 2004

Gene duplication allowed pigs to have more babies

A study found that pigs have more babies due to gene duplication, which allowed them to adapt to climate change. The researchers used a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate the evolution of aromatase genes and their role in altering reproductive biology.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateAug 16, 2004
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for August 2004 (second issue)

Researchers found that combination antibiotic therapy significantly improved survival rates among critically ill patients with severe pneumonia, with a mortality rate of 23.4% compared to 55.3% for those on monotherapy. A new test combining symptom questions, body weight data, and oxygen concentration measures shows a 91% predictive ra...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 16, 2004

British scientists exclude 'maverick' colleagues, says report

A Cardiff University study found that British scientists tend to view controversies as events caused by pre-existing dissenters within the community. In contrast, Swedish scientists see controversies as a process and fully-fledged 'mavericks' as the result of disenchanted scientists attacking the community.

SourceCardiff University·DateAug 16, 2004
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Are physicians over-performing colonoscopy?

A national study led by UC Davis researchers found that surveillance colonoscopies are performed more frequently than necessary, with 24% of gastroenterologists recommending unnecessary procedures. The study suggests that implementation of clinical guidelines can help optimize patient care and reduce healthcare burden.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 16, 2004

Stanford researcher's findings may shed light on common, deadly birth defect

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in understanding the cause of holoprosencephaly, a birth defect that affects brain development. By blocking a key protein's action at varying developmental stages, they found that it can influence facial features but leave the brain intact.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2004

Stem cell research targets cerebral palsy

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia are using an animal model of cerebral palsy to identify the most effective way to transplant stem cells. They aim to determine whether transplanted stem cells work best when injected directly into the brain along with natural chemicals called chemokines.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateAug 16, 2004
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

X marks the spot: Vector insertion is viral specific

Researchers mapped where three retroviruses integrate into human DNA, finding unique patterns for each. This discovery has implications for better-engineered gene therapies and new HIV drugs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 16, 2004

Using statistics to decipher secrets of natural mutation

Researchers developed a new analytical approach to understand naturally occurring mutations, revealing patterns that distinguish between mutational mechanisms. By analyzing genome sequences from 19 mammalian species, they identified regular clock-like fashion of CpG mutations and shed light on factors influencing evolution.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 16, 2004

ASCO releases new colon cancer guideline

The guideline states that routine adjuvant chemotherapy is not recommended for medically fit, average-risk patients with Stage II colon cancer. Patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy have a small but significant benefit in survival rates, around 4-5% more chance of survival five years after surgery.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 16, 2004