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Science News for January 31, 2005


Background 'DWI' checks effective

A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that pilots with a DWI history have a 43% higher crash risk than their counterparts without one. The researchers analyzed over 300,000 pilots and tracked their flying records, concluding that background checks can effectively predict and prevent crashes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateJan 31, 2005

A bug's life: aging and death inE. coli

A study published in PLOS Biology found that E. coli bacteria, which reproduce symmetrically, have a reduced growth rate, decreased offspring formation, and increased risk of dying compared to cells inheriting new poles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 31, 2005

Study proves catheter ablation safe for patients

A study published in Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology journal confirms catheter ablation is safe for patients, with no significant damage to cardiac nerves. The procedure is now a standard therapy for various arrhythmias, including SVT, atrial fibrillation, and AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPacing and Clinical Electrophysiology·DateJan 31, 2005

Rice genome approaches completion

A team of scientists has published a near-complete genome analysis of rice, revealing a whole-genome duplication event that may have played a role in the origin of grasses. The study provides important insights into the evolution of rice and its possible impact on human history.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 31, 2005

Women, drinking to their health

A study published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis found that moderate amounts of alcohol can reduce cardiovascular risk in women, particularly those who are postmenopausal. The research suggests that low to moderate wine consumption may have a favorable effect on cardiovascular events in this demographic.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·DateJan 31, 2005

Drinking alcohol increases risk for cancer

A meta-analysis of 156 studies found that heavy alcohol drinking is strongly associated with an increased risk of primary liver cancer, breast cancer, large bowel cancer, and other related diseases. The risks are shown to increase with the amount of alcohol consumed, but no threshold below which no effect is evident.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·DateJan 31, 2005

Stents and going with the flow

A Canadian Medical Association Journal article evaluates the economic impact of sirolimus-eluting stents, finding they are cost-effective in high-risk patients. However, their use is associated with a similar or higher cost per quality-adjusted life-year compared to other medical treatments.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 31, 2005

Feb. 1, 2005, Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet

The American College of Physicians recommends one-time ultrasound examination for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in men aged 65-75 who are smokers. New evidence suggests that large abdominal aneurysms may reduce deaths from ruptured aneurysms. Meanwhile, a study found that the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib increases heart attack risk ...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 31, 2005

What does an airline traveler have in common with a glowing fish?

Researchers have created a new tool to investigate the components of the circadian clock in vertebrates using transgenic zebrafish that luminesce in sync with their periodicity. The study reveals that aspects of circadian rhythms develop in specific stages, rather than being hardwired into the embryo.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 31, 2005

New nicotine-like imaging agent holds promise in PET studies, may help diagnose Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have developed a new fluorine-18 labeled imaging agent, nifrolidine, which binds to a receptor involved in cognition and learning. This receptor is also linked to nicotine addiction and lung cancer, making it a potential target for early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 31, 2005

Scientists close in on 'superbrakes' for cars

Researchers create a new mathematical model that explains the relationship between friction and motion, suggesting that traditional braking methods may not be the most effective. The findings could lead to improved road safety by optimizing brake performance.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJan 31, 2005

Physicists discover temperature key to avalanche movement

Researchers have devised a thermometer that can measure granular temperature based on the degree of agitation of its component particles. The discovery could lead to better understanding of powders and particulate materials in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and construction.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJan 31, 2005

New insight into regulation of blood stem cells

A new study found that the transcription factor c-Myb regulates hematopoiesis at multiple points, controlling HSC self-renewal and proliferation. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing compounds to regulate stem cell fate decisions, a potential game-changer for stem cell therapy.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 31, 2005

Wine drinkers live longer than beer guzzlers

Substances in wine have been shown to share the characteristics of ethanol, preventing blood clotting and providing cardio-protective effects. Additionally, wine has been found to reduce mortality from cancer compared to other alcoholic beverages, thanks to its antioxidant properties.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·DateJan 31, 2005

Northern women: Tough enough

A study of 25 northern British Columbia women reveals three key coping mechanisms: becoming hardy, making the best of the North and supplementing it. These strategies involve self-reliance, spiritual beliefs, outdoor activities and social support networks.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalQualitative Health Research·DateJan 31, 2005

Optical tweezers prove Einstein right

Researchers have successfully measured the back-flow effect in Brownian motion, a phenomenon Einstein predicted but overlooked 100 years ago. The discovery uses optical tweezers technology to detect this effect, confirming a key aspect of Brownian motion theory.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJan 31, 2005

Please, do disturb

Researchers found that chaos and noise are essential for maintaining marine ecosystems, allowing plankton blooms to flourish even in suboptimal conditions. By adding noise to a system, it can become synchronized and sustained, contrary to previous assumptions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJan 31, 2005