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Science News for June 27, 2005


Diuretics effective for people with diabetes and high blood pressure

A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found diuretics to be equally protective against fatal coronary heart disease or non-fatal heart attacks among people with diabetes. Additionally, diuretics were shown to be more effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and reducing the risk of congestive heart failure.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJun 27, 2005

Polls finds many Americans believe cancer myths

A national survey found that nearly half of Americans believe misconceptions about cancer, including that surgical treatment spreads the disease. The study suggests that public education interventions are needed to address these misconceptions among vulnerable populations.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJun 27, 2005

A promising candidate for a Lassa fever vaccine

A promising new vaccine candidate has shown protection against Lassa fever in macaque monkeys, offering hope for a potential vaccine. The vaccine's effectiveness and safety will need to be further assessed in larger studies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 27, 2005

Does vitamin C help prevent or treat the common cold?

A review of clinical research on vitamin C and the common cold found no benefit from supplementation for prevention or treatment. However, vitamin C may have a minor effect on reducing cold duration when taken before symptoms start. Vitamin C was also effective in preventing colds in athletes exposed to extreme physical stress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 27, 2005

Study links race to risk of advanced colorectal cancer, death

Researchers found that African Americans and Native Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and die of their disease compared to Asian Americans and non-Hispanic whites. The study highlights the importance of considering heterogeneity within broad racial/ethnic categories when evaluating cancer risks.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJun 27, 2005

Intention to lose weight and mortality

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that individuals with an intention to lose weight had lower mortality rates compared to those who did not have this intention. The researchers followed a cohort of overweight individuals for 18 years and found that those who were motivated to lose weight had significantly lower mortality rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 27, 2005

High-powered gene profiles provide clues to genes involved in common form of lung cancer

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified regions of irregular gene copy numbers in non-small cell lung cancer cells, pointing to a large number of previously unknown cancer-causing genes. The study also found that certain genes, including p63, play a role in the development of squamous cell carcinomas.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2005

Mental processing is continuous, not like a computer

Researchers found that language comprehension involves continuous processing and competition between representations, contradicting traditional discrete models. The study used mouse movements to track students' processing of words, revealing curved trajectories indicating gradual ambiguity resolution.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2005

Cancer related gene p53 not regulated as indicated by previous tissue culture research

Scientists at Salk Institute created a mouse model to study p53 regulation in vivo, finding that chemical modifications are not essential for protein activation under stress or normal conditions. The research has implications for cancer treatment and the development of specific drugs targeting p53's negative regulators.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2005

Smoking and inflammation

A study on smokers and non-smokers found that it takes several years for changes in the blood to return to normal after smoking. After quitting, the inflammatory response had returned to normal by five years, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking. This finding emphasizes the health benefits of smoking cessation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 27, 2005

How risky are twin pregnancies?

Studies have found that monozygotic twin pregnancies can be complicated by a surprisingly high rate of fetal death despite intensive fetal surveillance. In one study, ten unexpected intrauterine deaths occurred in seven pregnancies with no prior signs of complications after 32 weeks' gestation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 27, 2005