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Science News for November 22, 2004


Learning to cover up reduces risk of skin cancer

A systematic review by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services found that teaching children how to protect themselves from the sun can reduce risk of skin cancers. Younger children are more receptive to self-protective behaviors and benefit from sun-protection programs integrated into existing learning situations.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

Flies on crack

Researchers at NYU discovered a gene mutation, Lmo, that increases sensitivity to cocaine in fruit flies. The mutation affects the fly's internal clock, modulating sensitivity to cocaine within its cells.

SourceNew York University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Are animals as irrational as humans?

Researchers trained European starlings to choose between rich food sources and decoys, finding that 'irrational' preferences resulted from energetic state rather than cognitive mechanisms. The study warns against introducing confounding effects in nonbiological framework testing ideas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

This is your fly's brain on drugs

Researchers identified Lmo mutants in Drosophila that showed increased response to cocaine, indicating a potential link between the fly's internal clock and drug sensitivity. The study found that Lmo-related proteins are present in key areas of mammalian brains, suggesting implications for understanding human addiction.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Data support Americans' sense of accelerating 'time warp'; balance between work and family elusive

Research by Kathleen Gerson and Jerry Jacobs found that combined work hours of families, not individual work experience, reveal the time squeeze. Parents in two-income households cut back on joint working time to cope with pressures, but fathers actually work more hours when children are home.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·Journalسياقات اللغة والدراسات البينية·DateNov 22, 2004

What women want makes a difference

Researchers identified two new loci influencing female mate choice, favoring same-species mating over closely related ones. Genetic analysis shows female mating discrimination is inherited as a dominant trait, with genes linked to olfaction and X chromosomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Antidepressants may increase risk of abnormal bleeding

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found a significant association between antidepressant use and risk of abnormal bleeding. The risk increased with the degree of serotonin reuptake inhibition, particularly for drugs with high levels of inhibition, which were associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk of bleeding events.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

Antioxidant supplementation may reduce incidence of cancer in men

A comprehensive study of 13,017 French adults found no significant reduction in cancer incidence with antioxidant supplements, but men showed a 31% lower risk of developing cancer than women. The researchers suggest that supplementation may be effective in men due to their lower baseline levels of certain antioxidants.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

Early results shed light on lung cancer screening advance

A recent pilot study found that only a minority of subjects received a diagnostic work-up according to published algorithms, and that larger nodule sizes were associated with lower use of biopsy for follow-up. Only 7% of subjects diagnosed with lung cancer within a year of the first positive screen.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateNov 22, 2004

Foreign companies exaggerated job targets, claims study

A new study by Newcastle University reveals that many foreign-owned plants in the North East England fell short of their promised job creation targets. The research team found that firms which received special financial assistance were more likely to achieve their employment goals, but those involved with Invest UK were less likely to ...

SourceNewcastle University·JournalOxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics·DateNov 22, 2004