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Science News for January 27, 2005


Cooling lessens brain damage in sick newborn babies

Researchers have found that cooling can significantly reduce brain damage in newborn babies who suffer from oxygen deprivation at birth. The treatment involves lowering the body temperature of the baby for 72 hours after birth using a water-filled cap. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to bring routine treatment to babies s...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 27, 2005

Auditory screening for newborns can be successful, UT Southwestern researchers report

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center successfully implemented Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, reducing the number of false positives and increasing follow-up rates. Rescreening infants four hours after birth improved outcomes, while providing outpatient retesting encouraged parents to return for further evaluation.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJan 27, 2005

Study reports women don't experience undue pain, anxiety during mammography screening

A study of 150 subjects found that listening to a relaxation tape prior to and during mammography did not decrease women's feelings of pain and anxiety. In fact, virtually none of the participants experienced pain or anxiety during the test, contradicting previous studies that attributed non-compliance to pain.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJan 27, 2005

Longer cardiac rehab programs necessary, says U of T study

A new study suggests that cardiac rehabilitation programs lasting at least six months can lead to significant improvements in both physical and mental health. The research found that patients who participated in extended programs experienced greater benefits than those in shorter programs, with peak effects occurring at 38 weeks.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation·DateJan 27, 2005

UCSD-Salk team show protein's gene-silencing role in development of nervous system

Researchers at UCSD and Salk Institute have discovered that small carboxyl-terminal domain phosphatases (SCPs) play a crucial role in the maintenance of neural stem cells and silencing of neuronal genes. This finding suggests a way to expand the pool of neuronal stem cells, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological disorders.

Monkeys pay per view

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that monkeys will pay to view images of familiar, high-ranking individuals or those with potential sexual partners. This study demonstrates that monkeys assess visual information by its social value, providing insight into their social cognition.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 27, 2005