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Science News Archive June 2005 - Page 13


Page 13 of 15

Ancient DNA confirms single origin of Malagasy primates

A recent study using ancient DNA has confirmed that all living lemurs on the island of Madagascar descended from a single primate ancestor. The researchers analyzed DNA from nine subfossil individuals and found that they are closely related to living indriids, but not to other extinct species.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 6, 2005

Astronomers find evidence supporting theory of quasars

Researchers at Cornell University have found clear bumps in infrared emissions at 10 and 18 microns in five type 1 AGNs, confirming the existence of silicate dust and supporting the unified theory. This evidence may provide insights into the inner temperature of dusty tori and shed light on the structure of active galactic nuclei.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 6, 2005

Opiate cocktail may spare cells from morphine's dark side

Researchers developed a drug cocktail combining morphine with methadone to prevent cellular signaling imbalances associated with opiate tolerance. The study found that rats receiving the cocktail experienced reduced morphine dependence, suggesting a potential approach for treating chronic pain.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 6, 2005

NASA: Earth and space sciences at risk

The American Geophysical Union issues a position statement warning that NASA's commitment to innovative Earth and space science programs is under threat due to new financial demands. This could lead to decimated effective programs and degraded capabilities in weather forecasting, search and rescue, and life and property protection.

Resettling the 'Lost Boys of Sudan' in the United States

A US study assessed the functional and behavioral health of unaccompanied Sudanese refugee minors one year after resettlement in foster care. The youths reported high levels of trauma and stress, with increased risk of PTSD associated with separation from family, group home living, and feelings of loneliness.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJun 6, 2005

'Real life' study clarifies risk of recurrence for high-risk breast cancer patients

Researchers analyzed 3,500 breast cancer patients to identify factors associated with relapse. Patients with ER+/PgR- status, HER2 overexpression, or fewer than 10 positive axillary nodes did not show increased risk of relapse. Massive involvement of axillary nodes was linked to a higher risk of developing distant or local relapse.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateJun 6, 2005

Government must crank up medical research investment

A joint paper from Research Australia calls on the Federal Government to boost its investment in health and medical research, following a review that showed significant healthcare and economic successes. The organization argues that continued growth of Commonwealth funding is essential to stay in the global race and attract top talent.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalThe Medical Journal of Australia·DateJun 4, 2005

2005 Elizabeth Fleming Stier Award: George J. Flick Jr.

George J. Flick Jr.'s Sea Grant Coherent Area projects led to the establishment of the Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium, providing educational and research programs along the Virginia coast. His outreach programs have also addressed problems affecting the seafood industry, with funding for industry, academia, and regulators.

Dyslexia redefined

Dyslexia researchers propose that the condition stems from difficulty in filtering out visual noise, affecting pattern recognition and language comprehension. The study suggests that programs helping children form sharper perceptual categories could supplement existing interventions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 3, 2005

New radiofrequency device

Researchers at the Public University of Navarra have designed a new radiofrequency device using the Babinet Principle and meta-surfaces, enabling efficient mobile communications. The device also offers improved shielding capabilities for wireless communications, reducing interferences in buildings or rooms.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 3, 2005

Students heed parents on credit card advice

A study of 589 college students found that parents are the primary source of information about credit cards, with a significant negative relationship between parental influence and credit use. Educational institutions can reassess their personal finance education to better prepare students for managing credit.

SourcePenn State·JournalFamily and Consumer Sciences Research Journal·DateJun 3, 2005

Vanilla vs. rocky road

A study by Elizabeth Miller and Barbara Kahn found that consumers prefer atypical and unspecific names to common descriptives. The results suggest that color names can impact purchase propensity, with more ambiguous names leading to increased consumer appeal.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2005

Benefits of continuous NSAID use in ankylosing spondylitis

The study found that patients with ankylosing spondylitis who took NSAIDs continuously experienced less spinal joint damage than those who only used them for pain management. This suggests that inflammation and progression of joint damage may be separate processes in AS, and NSAIDs may have unexplored disease-controlling properties.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJun 2, 2005

Dealing with dying

Researchers analyzed how mortality salience affects consumer behavior, particularly in food choice and charitable donations, highlighting the role of self-esteem as a buffer against existential anxiety. The study concludes that individuals respond differently to mortality salience based on their sources of self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2005

Protease inhibitors reach beyond HIV

Researchers found that HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) can inhibit programmed cell death in mouse models with hepatitis, shock, and stroke. PIs maintain mitochondrial integrity to prevent apoptosis, suggesting potential uses for related compounds in non-HIV disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 2, 2005

Making up your mind

Research suggests that consumers rely on quick thinking and knowledge accessibility when making judgments, with retrieval ease playing a dominant role in moderately accessible situations. The study found that content-based judgments occur when relevant knowledge is highly inaccessible or easily retrievable.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2005

Consumer literacy

Research reveals that consumerism is a social practice of identity maintenance and management, driving low-literate individuals to employ coping strategies. The study identifies the importance of developing consumers' confidence and abilities to engage socially when needs are denied or thwarted.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2005