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Science News for April 26, 2005


Permitting workers to carry weapons ups the chance that they will be killed

Researchers found that permitting workers to carry guns on the job significantly increases the risk of homicide, with a nearly seven-fold increase in worker fatalities compared to workplaces where no firearms are allowed. This finding highlights the need for employers to reassess their policies on workplace gun permits.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 26, 2005

Use of PET can reduce, may eliminate more strenuous drug development trials with animals

Small animal imaging allows for repeated, non-invasive studies on the same living subject, providing crucial information on disease progression and treatment outcomes. This technology enables researchers to gain insights into human biology and disease, leading to improved diagnosis and development of innovative drugs.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateApr 26, 2005

Access to mammography may worsen

A 2001-2002 survey of 45 mammography facilities in three states found that 44% did not have enough radiologists on staff, and 46% reported difficulty maintaining qualified technologists. Scheduling delays for diagnostic and screening mammograms were common, with some facilities reporting waits of up to four weeks.

Natural glucose byproduct may prevent brain damage and cognitive impairment after diabetic coma

Researchers at UCSF discovered that administering pyruvate along with glucose after a diabetic coma can prevent brain damage and subsequent memory and learning impairment. The therapy was shown to be more effective than treatment with glucose alone, with rats experiencing significant cognitive deficits when given only glucose.

Royal Society study on adaptability of fish to warming oceans

A Royal Society study found that Antarctic fish can compensate for the initial negative impact of elevated temperatures and regain their original performance levels despite being several degrees warmer. The study suggests that rising temperatures do not necessarily have a long-term negative impact on biodiversity.

SourceRoyal Society·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateApr 26, 2005

A frog's life is food for thought

A study by PhD student Rebecca Cramp found that the green-striped burrowing frog can maintain its gut function despite prolonged starvation, allowing it to digest massive meals efficiently. The discovery has implications for human survival during starvation, as humans often experience severe gastrointestinal issues after re-feeding.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalScience·DateApr 26, 2005

Viral protein influences key cell-signaling pathway

A study published in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses found that the viral protein p12 increases activity of a gene controlling production of p300, a key regulator of cell signaling and proliferation. This could provide insights into how HTLV-1 maintains lifelong infection and impacts immune cell survival.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·DateApr 26, 2005

Women more financially vulnerable post break-up

A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family reveals that women are more financially vulnerable after a break-up, with a 33.1% drop in household income compared to 10% for men. The percentage of women living in poverty increases from 20% to almost 30%, particularly among African American and Hispanic women.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateApr 26, 2005

Abnormal liver tests in a Mediterranean population

A study of Southern Italian residents found that over 12% had abnormal liver values, with a significant correlation between age, gender, and excessive alcohol consumption. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease emerged as an important cause of altered liver tests in the region.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateApr 26, 2005