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Science News Archive 2005 - Page 163


Page 163 of 165

Story writing impacts consumer experience

A study by Patricia West and colleagues found that writing stories about paintings boosts writer's preference for a painting. Stories focusing on the author also show improved recall and enjoyment of the task. The authors argue that this effect applies to various consumer goods, such as clothing and family vacations.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 7, 2005

Potential cure for lymphoma in HIV patients

Researchers at City of Hope Cancer Center have successfully treated 17 out of 20 HIV-positive patients with refractory lymphoma using high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue. The study shows promising results with an 85% survival rate, paving the way for further investigation into this potential cure.

A biomarker to predict osteoarthritis

Researchers found a significant link between elevated hyaluronic acid levels and severity of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees and hips. The study, involving 753 participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds, suggests that hyaluronic acid measurements may be useful for assessing overall OA load.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJan 7, 2005

Anti-consumerism activism

Researchers Robert Kozinets and Jay Handelman apply social movement theories to anti-advertising movements, finding changes in activists' self-description and adversary portrayal. The authors conclude that activists view the consumption system as an enemy and try to save both themselves and consumers from it.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 7, 2005

How negative messages affect consumers

Research by Susan Jung Grant and colleagues found that consumers process negative messages more slowly than positive ones, focusing on the root of the message rather than the negation. This leads to a specific sequence of processing, where affirmations are elaborated first and then negators are incorporated in judgment.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 7, 2005

January 2005 Ophthalmology Journal

The January 2005 issue of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Journal features various studies on glaucoma, including the restoration of retinal ganglion cell function in early glaucoma after intraocular pressure reduction. Other topics include LASIK surgery and its effects on myopia, as well as a study on familial aggregation of h...

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateJan 7, 2005

Gene sequencing explains bioremediation 'bug'

Dehalococcoides bacteria can adapt to various environmental conditions through the use of mobile genetic elements, allowing them to degrade chlorinated pollutants. The genome sequence of Strain 195 reveals its ability to turn genes on and off in response to environmental cues.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateJan 6, 2005

The dynamo in the Cornfield

Researchers have built a laboratory model of the Earth's molten core using sodium metal to simulate its behavior. The Madison Dynamo Experiment is designed to fill gaps in current understanding of how magnetic fields arise and grow, shedding light on fundamental questions about the planet's magnetic field generation.

No blind mice, thanks to UF scientists

Researchers successfully silenced SDF-1's signal in mice with simulated retinopathy, effectively halting the growth of new blood vessels. The study could lead to a treatment option using routine injections of an antibody-blocking substance into a patient's eye.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 6, 2005

Substructure maps show that dark matter clumps in galaxies

A Yale astronomer and her colleagues used gravitational lensing techniques to create a spatial map demonstrating the clumped substructure of dark matter inside galaxy clusters. The study found an excellent agreement between observations and theoretical predictions, supporting the concordance model.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 6, 2005

Exploring the brain's internal stopwatch

By studying how monkeys track a visual target, researchers have gained new insights into the brain's strategies for measuring time. The findings indicate that the brain measures time by assessing the duration of a process and computing the distance an object has moved.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJan 5, 2005

Consumers to benefit from organic potato breakthrough

A new study from Newcastle University has led to the introduction of ten organic potato varieties, suitable for various national palates and cuisine, across Europe. The Blight-MOP project has successfully developed 'designer composts' to increase yields by up to 40% while introducing blight-resistant potatoes on supermarket shelves.