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Science News Archive October 2004 - Page 2


Page 2 of 13

Old dogs, new tricks?

A new study finds that adult dyslexics can improve their reading skills with a phonological intervention program, revealing potential for late-life literacy gains. The brain scans also showed activity changes in specific regions, including the right hemisphere, as a way to compensate for deficiencies.

From pulp to polymers

Researchers are developing new technologies to extract hemicelluloses from wood chips, which can be converted into fuel ethanol, industrial polymers, and composite products. The goal is to create an integrated forest products biorefinery that increases paper production while reducing costs.

Cognitive behavioral therapy combined with antidepressant effective in treating adolescent OCD

A recent study published in JAMA found that a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medication is effective in treating adolescent obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, involved 112 children aged 7-17 who were randomly assigned to r...

Cruise ships -- An alternative to assisted living facilities for the elderly?

A new study suggests that cruise ship living could be an attractive option for seniors who enjoy travel and require some assistance with daily activities. The research found that cruise ship living results in higher quality care over a 20-year period, despite being $2,000 more expensive than traditional assisted living facilities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 27, 2004

Exercise for special populations, sensory research, factors impacting rehabilitation top issues

Regular exercise improves physical and psychological well-being among people with spinal cord injuries, as well as older adults and nursing home residents. Exercise also promotes stability and ease of movement for lower-limb amputees, while correcting visual impairments can improve rehabilitation effectiveness.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalThe Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development·DateOct 27, 2004

Evidence that learning is consolidated during sleep

Researchers discovered that brain activity in the hippocampus, a key learning center, correlates with improved memory performance after sleep. Spatial memories were found to be strengthened during slow wave sleep, suggesting that sleep plays a crucial role in consolidating recent memory traces.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 27, 2004

Military hazards are greater for Native Americans, according to sociological research

A new study by researchers finds that Native American lands are disproportionately located near extremely dangerous military sites contaminated with unexploded ordnance. The research, published in the American Sociological Review, examines the role of militarism in environmental inequalities affecting Native Americans.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 27, 2004

Nerve navigation findings prompt new direction for spinal cord research

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found that an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase plays a crucial role in guiding axons across the midline of the spinal cord during development. This discovery provides new insights into normal nervous system development and offers potential targets for treating spinal cord injuries.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 26, 2004

Powering the future

The Florida Institute of Technology has launched a hydrogen fuel cell research center with a focus on developing new mainstream energy sources. The center, which brings together faculty from various colleges, aims to pool expertise and solve complex problems in the field.

Radiotherapy + cetuximab significantly improve disease control and survival in head and neck cancer

Combination therapy of radiotherapy and cetuximab significantly improves loco-regional control, median survival, and overall survival rates in patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The treatment also showed minimal enhancement of toxicity compared to radiotherapy alone.

A time to rhyme

A new study found that younger children primarily process words based on phonology, sound, whereas older children and adults process words based on semantics, meaning. Researchers tested the language processing abilities of children aged five, eight, and 11 using a rhyme-based experiment.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 26, 2004