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Science News for December 27, 2004


Patients with cancer detected on screening mammography undergo less toxic treatment

Women diagnosed with breast cancer through physical examination are more likely to undergo chemotherapy and mastectomy compared to those detected by screening mammography. The study found that cancers detected by mammography were smaller and had lower rates of lymph node spread, allowing for less-toxic treatment options.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateDec 27, 2004

Finding lymph node metastases in cancer

A new technique detects lymph node metastases in cancer patients using nanoparticles and MRI, providing unprecedented accuracy and potentially sparing unnecessary surgery. The method involves tracking nodes with magnetic particles, identifying patterns for normal and malignant nodes, and generating a 3D reconstruction of the lymph nodes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 2004

Study investigates value of 'center of excellence' designation

A recent study investigated whether NCI cancer centers have better outcomes due to their designation. The research found that perioperative mortality was lower at these centers for four out of six procedures, but five-year survival rates did not differ significantly between the two types of institutions.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateDec 27, 2004

Does cancer run in families?

Researchers analyzed data from Iceland's National Cancer Registry and deCODE genetics database to investigate cancer risk in families. The study found that for 16 out of 27 cancers studied, relatives of patients were at a significantly higher risk of developing the same type of cancer. Lifestyle factors like smoking and diet also contr...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 2004

Finding cures for tropical diseases: Is open source an answer?

A decentralized, Web-based, community-wide effort called the Tropical Diseases Initiative (TDI) proposes an open-source approach to discovering new drugs for neglected diseases. By adopting this model, scientists from laboratories, universities, and corporations can work together to develop affordable treatments for tropical diseases s...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 2004