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Science News Archive 2005 - Page 35


Page 35 of 165

Dartmouth researcher tracks how immigrants fit in by studying household configurations

A Dartmouth researcher studied immigrant households to find that generational status, not income, has the most effect on immigrant dispersion. The study challenges current ideas about where immigrants live and suggests that states with multi-generational households may have easier socio-cultural and economic adjustments.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Life in deadly conditions

The study of Natronomonas pharaonis reveals its unique ability to thrive in extremely alkaline and salty environments. The organism's genome encodes the synthesis of 2,843 proteins, which are stable even at high salt concentrations.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalGenome Research·DateOct 17, 2005

Dartmouth professor warns of misuse of mapping technology in political redistricting

A Dartmouth professor warns that GIS technology can be used to manipulate election results, as state legislatures have incentives to use partisan information but few incentives to respect communities of interest. Nonpartisan redistricting commissions may offer a solution, but clear rules are needed to ensure fair representation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Mice provide insight into therapy-induced cancers in humans

A new mouse model has been developed to study secondary malignant neoplasms (SMNs) induced by chemotherapy and radiation in humans. The Nf1 mutant mice model mimics human SMNs, including leukemia, sarcoma, and breast cancers, providing a tractable system for mechanistic studies and testing preventive strategies.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateOct 17, 2005

Cosmopolitan lifestyle could allay cancer threat

Scientists have identified a new compound in cranberries that prevents cancer cells from breaking away and spreading to other parts of the body. The compound inhibits the growth of human lung, colon, and leukemia cells in culture without affecting healthy cells.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateOct 17, 2005

Notch signaling molecule important in type 2 immunity

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified Notch as a key regulator of Th2 immune responses, which are impaired in mice lacking this signaling pathway. This study suggests that inhibiting Notch signaling may be beneficial for treating diseases characterized by excessive Th2 responses, such as asthm...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 17, 2005

New equation helps unravel behavior of turbulence

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a new mathematical formula, called the advected delta-vee equation, that can help predict turbulent flow behavior. This equation provides a shortcut to describe a complex characteristic of turbulence called intermittency, which is difficult to include in computer models.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 17, 2005

NRL scientists detect 'milky sea' phenomena

Researchers detected 'milky seas' in the northwest Indian Ocean using satellite data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. The glowing waters were found to last at least three nights and span an area roughly the size of Connecticut, with boundaries matching surface ship reports.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Integration of cell survival signals in PTEN-deficient tumors

A study published in Cancer Cell reveals that combining therapies targeting EGFR and Akt can improve treatment outcomes in tumor cells with PTEN mutations. The research demonstrates that BAD acts as a key switch integrating antiapoptotic effects of multiple pathways, providing new insights into combination therapy strategies.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateOct 17, 2005

Virginia Tech geoscientists resolve inconsistent data on crystal growth, dissolution

Researchers reconciled inconsistencies between two pre-existing data sets for kaolinite, a major earth and industrial material. The findings provide a unifying approach for explaining crystal and mineral dissolution and growth, with implications for understanding geological time, nuclear waste storage, and biomedical issues.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Men who smoke heavily may impair sperm, fertility

A study found that nearly two-thirds of heavy smokers' sperm failed a test measuring fertilizing capacity, with those who smoked more cigarettes per day showing lower fertility rates. The research suggests that heavy smoking overloads the nicotine receptor in human sperm and testes, leading to a decline in fertilizing potential.

Less invasive surgery effective in treatment of reflux disease

A study of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery found that it is an effective long-term procedure for treating severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with patients reporting high satisfaction rates and minimal complications. The results also suggest that the surgery can be well-tolerated and is a viable option for GERD treatment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateOct 17, 2005

Penn study finds physically abused boys may be more likely to commit domestic violence as adults

A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 51% of men experienced childhood physical abuse, with most abuse carried out by parents. The study suggests a link between childhood abuse and adult domestic violence, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to prevent future harm.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 17, 2005

Rett gene regulates alternative splicing

Researchers found that a protein called Y box-binding protein 1 binds to the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene, leading to changes in alternative RNA splicing. This process can result in diverse sets of RNA and proteins being produced from the same gene.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Cervical cancer has profound psychosocial impact on affected women, as well as male partners

The study found that cervical cancer has a significant impact on relationships, intimacy, and instrumental life domains for both women and their partners. Women reported greater illness-induced disruptions to relationships and more fatigue than their partners, highlighting the need for comprehensive psychosocial support.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·DateOct 17, 2005

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for October 2005 (second issue)

A new study found that Californians exposed to low levels of naturally occurring asbestos are at higher risk for malignant mesothelioma. The research analyzed 2,908 cases over 10 years and found that people living close to asbestos source rocks had a greater chance of developing the disease, despite lower occupational exposure.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 17, 2005

Climate model predicts dramatic changes over next 100 years

A new climate model predicts more extreme temperatures throughout the US, with intense heat waves in the desert Southwest, and more storms along the Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest. The model, which incorporates many climatic factors in unprecedented detail, suggests that these changes will disrupt national economy and infrastructure.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Drug-eluting stents successfully treat vein-graft disease

A study found that drug-eluting stents significantly reduce the risk of restenosis in vein grafts, cutting heart attack rates by fourfold compared to bare metal stents. The treatment also decreases repeat procedures and death rates, suggesting a long-term advantage for patients with worn and diseased vein grafts.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateOct 17, 2005

First powder injection molding process for pure niobium

The Penn State team has successfully developed a method to calculate optimal proportions of niobium powder to binder and temperature for sintering, opening doors to injection-molded niobium parts. The approach can be applied to other materials with irregularly-shaped particles, expanding its potential applications.

Anti-checkpoint activity

Researchers identified a unique stretch of internal telomeric repeats that suppress the DNA damage checkpoint response. The arrest duration was significantly shorter than expected, indicating a potential mechanism for preventing normal telomeres from being recognized as damaged DNA.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 17, 2005

Restoring silenced suppressor gene kills lung-cancer cells

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that restoring the missing or silenced WWOX gene can slow or stop lung-cancer cell growth. The study showed that reactivating the gene is highly effective in stopping human lung tumor growth in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for lung cancer treatment.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005