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Science News Archive August 2005 - Page 5


Page 5 of 15

New target found to fight, treat Parkinson's

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have identified microtubules as a critical target for treating Parkinson's disease, which is caused by damage to these intracellular highways. The study found that protecting microtubules can prevent the toxic effects of rotenone on dopamine-producing neurons.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 23, 2005

Hepatitis A vaccine not widely used for Hepatitis C patients

A study of 1,193 patients found only 94 received the HAV vaccine, highlighting a significant gap in vaccination rates. Patients with chronic HCV were at risk for severe liver disease and death if infected with HAV, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and vaccination efforts.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateAug 23, 2005

Transmission of Hepatitis C among family members

A study found a strong relationship between HCV infection and having an anti-HCV positive family member, with the highest incidence rate in children under 10 living in households with an anti-HCV positive parent. Parenteral exposures increased the risk of HCV, particularly in men married to an HCV positive woman.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateAug 23, 2005

Tracking the riddle of cosmic gamma rays

The MAGIC telescope has tracked a long duration gamma-ray burst, GRB050713A, in the X-ray and very high energy gamma ray band. The observation was made possible by rapid tracking of the telescope, which allowed it to start observing the source just 20 seconds after an alert from the Swift satellite.

Obese women undertreated for breast cancer

A recent study has found that obese patients with estrogen-receptor negative (ER-negative) breast cancer are at risk of undertreatment due to reduced chemotherapy doses. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that obese women with ER-negative disease who receive 85% or more of the recommended first course dose have significantly ...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 23, 2005

Mentoring to meet the national need

A mentoring program aims to improve the retention of college students and faculty from historically underrepresented groups. The study suggests that standardized goal-setting and development skills can aid in this process, as well as discussing genealogy to foster a sense of belonging within the discipline.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Social Issues·DateAug 23, 2005

Scientists focus on 'dwarf eye'

Researchers have discovered a genetic finding that may hold the key to unlocking treatments for farsightedness and nearsightedness. The MFRP protein, found in a rare eye disorder called nanophthalmos, regulates eye growth and refraction, making it a promising target for correcting severe refractive errors.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2005

A novel virus for croup

A novel coronavirus, HCoV-NL63, is strongly associated with croup in children under three years old. The study found that 43% of patients with high viral load and no co-infection had croup, compared to 6% of those without the virus.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 22, 2005

Children's health in southern Italy is in crisis

Children in southern Italy face a constellation of risks including high school dropout rates and low youth employment. The region also struggles with low vaccination uptake rates, leaving kids vulnerable to preventable diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 22, 2005

Chickens orient using a magnetic compass

Researchers demonstrated that birds can be trained to respond to a magnetic direction and found that the ability to orient with magnetic cues is present in an ancient avian lineage. The new approach uses a social stimulus, unlike most previous attempts which relied on food rewards.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 22, 2005

New hope for patients with rare genetic diseases

ERDITI, a collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers, aims to repurpose 'abandoned' compounds for rare diseases. The initiative, launched by Alain Fischer, could lead to discoveries of effective treatments and profitable new drugs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 22, 2005

Early clinical signs of ovarian cancer

Researchers found that women with ovarian cancer were more likely to present to physicians with abdominal swelling or pelvic pain up to 12 months before diagnosis. Diagnostic testing showed only a minority of patients received necessary tests, highlighting the need for earlier detection.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateAug 22, 2005

Case researchers find exercise, eating right and maintaining weight benefit oral health

Researchers found that exercising regularly, eating a high-quality diet and maintaining a normal weight can reduce the risk of periodontitis by up to 40%. These healthy behaviors also contribute to lowering diabetes risk factors. Regular monitoring and promotion of these habits by oral health professionals can help prevent gum disease.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateAug 22, 2005

Possible new compound for treatment of cerebral malaria

Researchers discovered a new compound, LMP-420, that potently reduces activation of endothelial cells and inflammation in cerebral malaria. This finding offers a promising avenue for treating the condition, which has a high fatality rate despite existing treatments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 22, 2005

Genomics reveals mechanism of heat resistance in bacteria

Researchers discovered that thermophilic bacteria have an abundance of disulfide bonds, which improve protein stability and boost heat-tolerance. The study identified a specific protein, protein disulfide oxidoreductase (PDO), playing a key role in forming these bonds.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 22, 2005