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Science News Archive May 2004 - Page 3


Page 3 of 13

New technology blocks gene to increase immune response against deadly brain tumor cells

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new approach to boost the immune response against gliomas, a type of brain tumor. By targeting the interleukin 10 gene in dendritic cells, they can increase the production of IL-12, leading to a stronger Th1 response and enhanced immune response against cancer cells.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·DateMay 24, 2004

Mind the gap

A recent study by Rochon and colleagues found that many conditions or diseases common internationally are underrepresented in randomized controlled trials published in leading medical journals. In a related commentary, Jha and Lavery highlight the importance of delivering treatments already available to improve population health in dev...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 24, 2004

Left brain damage may make people more vulnerable to infection

Researchers studying epilepsy patients who underwent brain surgery on either side found that those with left-brain surgery experienced decreased immune function, while right-brain surgery boosted immune response. The findings raise concerns about protecting patients from infection following strokes or left-brain surgery.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMay 24, 2004

Exercising after menopause may help reduce bone loss

Exercise has been shown to improve physical fitness, lower back pain, and cholesterol levels in early postmenopausal women. After 26 months, the exercise group experienced significant increases in physical fitness and reductions in bone loss compared to the control group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMay 24, 2004

Physics tip sheet #42

Researchers have developed a technique to improve electromagnetic signal transmission in complex environments using time reversal, which may enhance cell phone communications. Additionally, studying competition dynamics in noisy systems reveals that flexible competitors can increase their prosperity by adjusting their adaptation rate. ...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 24, 2004

African-Americans more likely to die of colon cancer

A study found that African-Americans are 1.67 times more likely to die within five years and 1.52 times more likely to die within ten years after surgical treatment for CRC compared to Caucasians. Racial differences were most pronounced in patients with stage II disease.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMay 24, 2004

Obesity may affect accuracy of mammography

A recent study found that obese postmenopausal women are more likely to be recalled for additional tests after screening mammographies, with women in the obese category II and III groups being 31% more likely to be recalled. Obese women also experience a 20% increased risk of false-positive mammogram results compared to underweight and...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMay 24, 2004

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania evaluates heart failure treatments for landmark study

A landmark study by Penn Medicine reveals significant improvements in quality of life and survival rates for heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and optimized pharmacologic therapy. The study shows a 36% reduction in all-cause mortality for patients implanted with CRT defibrillators.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2004

Immune cells may play important role in progression of type 1 diabetes, Joslin researchers find

Researchers found that natural killer cells are associated with destructive insulitis and beta cell destruction, suggesting a potential new target for halting or slowing disease progression. The study's findings have implications for understanding the complex interactions between immune cells and the development of type 1 diabetes.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2004

More news in the battle between the sexes

Studies show that foreign males from conflict populations are more costly to females, but benefits of sexual selection may outweigh costs at intermediate levels of conflict. The findings highlight the potential cost of sexual selection and generate a fitness load.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 24, 2004

Learned social preference in zebrafish

Researchers found that zebrafish learn to prefer one fish color pattern over another based on their early experience with these patterns. This learned social preference has significant impacts on the survival and reproductive success of individual fish.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 24, 2004

More young black men have done prison time than served in the military or earned a college degree

According to the study, 20% of all black men born from 1965-1969 had served time in prison by their early 30s, compared to less than 3% of white males. The risks of prison incarceration rose steeply with lower levels of education, affecting 30.2% of non-college educated blacks and 58.9% of black high school dropouts.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·Journalسياقات اللغة والدراسات البينية·DateMay 24, 2004

Small trial shows daclizumab add-on therapy improves MS outcome

A small trial found that daclizumab add-on therapy reduced the severity and number of brain lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The treatment, which blocks the interleukin-2 receptor on immune cells, showed unexpected clinical benefits in a small group of patients.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2004

Compound in salsa may fight food poisoning

A new study isolated a compound called dodecenal from fresh cilantro leaves, which is found in salsa, and showed it to be twice as potent as the antibiotic gentamicin at killing Salmonella. The researchers believe that eating more fresh salsa could help prevent foodborne illness.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 24, 2004

Breast cancer in men increasing

The study found a significant increase in male breast cancer incidence over 25 years, with men being diagnosed at an older age than women. Larger tumor size and axillary lymph node disease were associated with shortened survival, while hormone receptor status and tumor grade did not have independent prognostic effects.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMay 24, 2004

A better death: Hospitals need systematic process to heed patient' concerns

A study by the University of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics found that patients' perceptions of care improved when medical staff solicited their concerns, with significant gains in symptom control, support, and pain management. The research suggests a simple yet effective approach to addressing subpar end-of-life care.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics·JournalBMC Palliative Care·DateMay 23, 2004

Combination therapy dramatically improves function after spinal cord injury in rats

Researchers found that a combination therapy using Schwann cells and cyclic AMP (cAMP) promotes axonal growth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. The treatment preserved and elevated cAMP levels in nerve cells and myelinated nerve fibers, leading to better locomotion and coordination in rats.