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Science News Archive June 2004 - Page 11


Page 11 of 12

Adrenaline packs a powerful punch in the use of antidepressants

A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that most antidepressants, except citalopram, are ineffective on mice lacking norepinephrine. The researchers tested eight commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs and discovered a critical link between norepinephrine and desired behavioral effects.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2004

Biology of aging

A study published in Nature reveals that insulin regulates tissue aging and extends the lifespan of genetically modified flies. By blocking insulin's action in specific cells, the entire body stays healthier longer, staving off age-related diseases.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature·DateJun 2, 2004

Junk DNA yields new kind of gene

Researchers found a new regulatory gene, SRG1, which blocks the expression of adjacent genes by physically preventing transcription factors from binding. This discovery provides evidence that junk DNA may have hidden functions and could be a common mechanism for regulating gene expression.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJun 2, 2004

Drug that cuts off tumor's blood supply extends lives of colorectal cancer patients

Researchers found that combining Avastin with chemotherapy improves median survival, reduces risk of death and increases response rates in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study showed a nearly five-month improvement in patient survival, demonstrating the potential of targeting tumor blood supply as a viable treatment option.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 2, 2004

Two dinosaurs from Africa give clues to continents' split

Fossils of Rugops primus and Spinostropheus gautieri reveal that Africa separated from southern continents around 100 million years ago. The discoveries provide fresh evidence on the timing of continental drift, shedding light on how dinosaurs like Rugops and other animals used narrow land bridges to colonize adjacent continents.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateJun 1, 2004

JCI table of contents, 1 June 2004

A new study suggests that using stents to open blocked blood vessels in branching passages can lead to a harmful blood flow pattern, resulting in rapid re-occlusion of the main branch. This contradicts previous findings that suggest stenting was more successful in non-bifurcated areas.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 1, 2004

Chronic diseases need global health attention

Chronic diseases are the largest cause of death worldwide, with a projected increase in global prevalence over the next two decades. Key risk factors include tobacco use, unhealthful diets, and lack of physical activity, with most cases occurring in developing countries.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJun 1, 2004

Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate boosts blood vessel function, study suggests

A two-week study found that consuming daily dark chocolate with high flavonoid content improved blood vessel function in participants. The study, led by Mary Engler, showed a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation in the high-flavonoid group, indicating better vascular health and a lower risk of heart disease.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateJun 1, 2004

The skinny on diagnosing skin disease

Researchers have developed an antigen-specific ELISA test to diagnose lichen sclerosus by detecting circulating autoantibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1. This breakthrough diagnostic tool has the potential to improve disease management and treatment outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 1, 2004