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Science News Archive December 2005 - Page 10


Page 10 of 12

Feeling good is good enough for a man

A new study found that men's body image improved as much as women's in a 12-week strength training program, but for different reasons. For men, it was related to perceived changes in their bodies, while for women, it was tied to both perceived and real physical improvements, including increases in weight lifted at the gym.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalBody Image·DateDec 6, 2005

Galaxy collisions dominate the local universe

A study using hundreds of images from two deep sky surveys found that more than half of the largest galaxies in the nearby universe have collided and merged with another galaxy. The mergers occur quickly, leaving faint features difficult to detect, but confirm predictions for large-scale structure formation. Ongoing study will reveal i...

Researchers say estrogen can kill breast cancer cells once fueled by the hormone

A laboratory study demonstrates that breast cancer cells die when re-introduced to estrogen after becoming resistant to tamoxifen and other estrogen inhibition drugs. This finding has important clinical implications for long-term therapy with aromatase inhibitors, suggesting a new strategy for treating treatment-resistant breast cancer.

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 6, 2005

Finally, male water fleas exposed

Scientists have discovered male water fleas in a lab, revealing that pesticides can induce sex change and affect populations of fish and other organisms. The finding highlights the importance of considering non-target species in environmental monitoring and management.

Researchers uncover mechanisms of estrogen in promoting cell death in breast cancer

Estradiol induces apoptosis by activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, which controls protein expression and mitochondrial function. The study found complete tumor regression in mice with estradiol-treated breast cancer cells, suggesting a potential strategy for aromatase inhibitor resistance.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 6, 2005

Saving soldiers: Better body armor expected from new material formation process

A Georgia Institute of Technology researcher has developed a new boron carbide formation process that increases the hardness and improves the ballistic performance of the material used in body armor. The new method can yield higher relative densities and better ballistic performance than currently available methods.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalJournal of Materials Research·DateDec 6, 2005

Brain enlargement may be characteristic of autism

Researchers found significant brain volume enlargement in children with autism, particularly in white and gray matter, which affects the cerebral cortex responsible for thought, perception, and memory. The study suggests that this enlargement may begin as late as the first year of life, during the postnatal period.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateDec 5, 2005

Personal fulfillment may motivate adolescents to be physically active

Adolescents cite personal fulfillment as strongest motivator for physical activity, with weight-based motivation and peer influence also playing a role. The study's findings suggest that emphasizing personal fulfillment could be an effective approach to increasing physical activity among all youth, regardless of risk status.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateDec 5, 2005

Mathematician's insight helps unravel knotty problem

Shelly Harvey's discovery applies to a longstanding problem within knot theory, but its significance lies in the broader context of topology. The underlying structure she uncovered uses algebraic structures to describe similarities and differences between knotted shapes, offering a new approach to proving equivalency.

SourceRice University·JournalGeometry & Topology·DateDec 5, 2005

Preclinical study of a new brain tumor therapy

Researchers developed a treatment that targets glioblastoma cells using epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), eliminating tumors in mice implanted with human brain cancer cells. The therapy showed no evidence of recurrence and remained effective for over a year, offering new hope for GBM patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 5, 2005

Medical College of Wisconsin study

A randomized controlled trial of 275 uninsured Latino children found that community-based case management resulted in a significant increase in insured children, with 96% obtaining health insurance compared to 57% without case managers. The intervention also showed improved parental satisfaction and faster insurance enrollment.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateDec 5, 2005

Molecule links Down syndrome to Alzheimer's

Research suggests that adults with Down syndrome have higher concentrations of myo-inositol in the brain, leading to reduced cognitive ability and increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to develop a new treatment approach by reducing myo-inositol levels in the brains of people with Down syndrome.

SourceKing's College London·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateDec 5, 2005

Ethnic minorities and health research

A new study found that racial and ethnic minorities are just as willing, if not more willing, to participate in health research than non-Hispanic whites. However, they were less likely to be invited to participate in these studies, highlighting the need for improved access and inclusivity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 5, 2005