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Science News for April 20, 2005


Football is a pain in the neck

Researchers found that football players suffered significantly more neck injuries than those playing hockey or soccer. The study attributed this increase to the design of football tackles, which impede opposing player motion.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateApr 20, 2005

Geologists find a new active fault in Nepal

A new study published in Nature suggests a connection between erosion rates and tectonic forces in the Himalaya region of Nepal. Researchers found that erosion rates increase significantly at the base of steep mountains, potentially influencing global climate change.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature·DateApr 20, 2005

New study shows antibiotic treatment does not reduce risk of secondary cardiac events

A new study found that antibiotic treatment with azithromycin did not reduce the risk of heart attacks, unstable angina, or other cardiac events. The study enrolled over 4,000 participants and followed them for nearly four years, with no significant difference in outcomes between those receiving antibiotics and placebo.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 20, 2005

Child health teacher numbers at worrying levels

A survey of clinical academic staffing in paediatrics and child health found a worrying decline in lecturer numbers, with a 26% reduction over five years. The decrease is linked to an increase in medical students, putting pressure on existing lecturers and threatening teaching quality.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateApr 20, 2005

How safety feels good

Studies found that mice conditioned to associate beeps with safety showed reduced 'freeze' responses and increased exploration, suggesting a neural overlap between safety and danger processing. The researchers suggest that targeting these mechanisms could lead to new treatments for psychiatric disorders involving anxiety and addiction.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateApr 20, 2005