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Science News Archive October 2004 - Page 7


Page 7 of 13

Zebrafish may offer researchers powerful new tool for studying innate immunity

Researchers have sequenced all 36 genes of novel receptors in zebrafish, which may be related to human natural killer cell function and provide insights into the transition from innate to adaptive immunity. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of infectious diseases and certain cancers.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2004

Insulin pumps effective for children with diabetes

A clinical trial found that insulin pump therapy was safe and well-tolerated in preschool-aged children with type 1 diabetes. Parents were also satisfied with the devices, with 95 percent continuing use after a six-month study. The benefits of insulin pump therapy are still being evaluated in terms of flexibility and convenience.

SourceIndiana University·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateOct 18, 2004

Nevirapine is better than efavirenz at raising 'good' cholesterol

Researchers found that nevirapine significantly increases HDL cholesterol levels more than efavirenz, making it a preferable option for HIV-infected adults with increased cardiovascular risk. This study suggests that considering individual factors beyond cardiovascular risk can lead to more personalized treatment decisions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 18, 2004

Whites more likely to misidentify tools as guns when linked to black faces

Researchers at Ohio State University conducted experiments showing that white Americans are more likely to misidentify tools as guns when shown a picture of an African American before seeing the tool or gun. In contrast, they were less likely to make this mistake when shown a picture of a white person. The study suggests that unconscio...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateOct 18, 2004

Mouse model of osteoarthritis

A mouse model of osteoarthritis has been developed, revealing that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is essential for the maintenance of healthy articular cartilage. The study found that inactivating BMP signaling in mice led to severe arthritis, mimicking human osteoarthritis conditions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 18, 2004

A nanowire with a surprise

Scientists discovered that increasing OPE wire length triggers variable resistance, which can be beneficial for electronic devices. The researchers also found that substituting a methyl hydrocarbon group onto the middle unit significantly increases electron transfer rate.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 18, 2004

Oats not safe for all patients with celiac disease

A recent study published in PLoS Medicine found that oats can cause intolerance in some patients with celiac disease, triggering a similar molecular reaction as wheat, barley, or rye. This means that not all patients with celiac disease may be able to safely include oats in their diet.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 18, 2004

Major missile defense study published

A new study published by the American Physical Society finds that boosting-phase defense systems have significant limitations, making them impractical against many potential threats. The report highlights issues with timing and range, limiting the effectiveness of boost-phase defenses.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateOct 15, 2004

Magnetic stars

Researchers found stable ring-shaped magnetic field configurations in magnetic A-stars, White Dwarf stars, and neutron stars, supporting the 'fossil field' hypothesis. These fields can persist for hundreds of millions of years, surviving the star's life span.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateOct 15, 2004

New study demonstrates co-administration

Researchers found that taking Welchol, a bile acid sequestrant, with TriCor, a fibrate, resulted in no significant interaction. The study involved 30 healthy volunteers who received different treatment regimens involving the two drugs, showing that co-administration is safe and effective.

SourceHill and Knowlton·JournalClinical Pharmacokinetics·DateOct 15, 2004

Mini-Mouse is a bad mom

A team of scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered that mice without the TR4 gene are born smaller, less fertile, and have poor parenting skills. The miniature mice exhibit reduced nest-building, nursing, and offspring care, resulting in high pup mortality rates.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2004

Sniffing out the culprits of dust allergies

A team of scientists has developed a novel method to detect the culprits behind dust allergies, using PNA-encoded protease substrate microarrays. This innovative approach reveals the specific proteins responsible for triggering allergic reactions in humans, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying dust allergy.

SourceCell Press·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateOct 15, 2004

Call for randomised criminal-justice trials

The Lancet article advocates for randomized criminal-justice trials to improve evidence-based decision-making in the UK. The proposed approach would involve randomizing offenders between drug treatment and testing order, or alternative sentence, to inform judicial decisions.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 14, 2004