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Science News for March 1, 2005


UI study examines hazing on college campus

A UI study examining hazing on college campuses found that 6.7% of surveyed Cornell students participated in hazing, while nearly twice as many reported being hazed. The study suggests a gap between students' and universities' definitions of hazing, highlighting the need for education and prevention efforts.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateMar 1, 2005

Mount Sinai researchers identify key to controlling HIV

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine discovered that alpha-defensin-1, a protein found in cells, can directly inactivate HIV virus and block infection in vulnerable cells. The findings offer insight into the function of alpha-defensin-1 on both the virus and the cell, potentially leading to new avenues for prevention and therapy.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2005

Boosting blood vessels with BDNF

Researchers found BDNF is as effective as VEGF in inducing growth of tiny blood vessels in organs with TrkB-expressing cells. It recruits blood stem cells that contribute to neo-angiogenesis, providing a novel therapeutic protein for organ-specific angiogenesis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2005

Licorice licks herpes virus infection

Researchers found that glycyrrhizic acid from licorice can kill cells infected with the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. The compound targets genes required to maintain the virus in a latent state, potentially leading to novel anti-herpesvirus agents.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2005

Spitzer Space Telescope finds bright infrared galaxies

A Cornell University-led team has discovered a mysterious population of distant galaxies radiating in the infrared spectrum with hundreds of times more power than our Milky Way galaxy. The galaxies are thought to be ultraluminous infrared galaxies powered by massive starbursts or active galactic nuclei, and their discovery is published...

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 1, 2005

New treatment for inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers at University of California - San Diego have made a significant breakthrough in treating inflammatory bowel disease by discovering the molecular mechanism behind IFN-α/β therapy. The study reveals that activated IFN-α/β plays a protective role in colonic inflammation and maintains intestinal homeostasis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2005

Training could remove racial bias from police reactions

Researchers found that training designed to eliminate racial biases in police interactions can be effective in reducing biased reactions. The study used a simulation to test the impact of different approaches on officer behavior, and the results suggest that such training could lead to improved outcomes for all parties involved.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 1, 2005

A new route for treatment of IBD

Researchers found that TLR9-induced protection is mediated through type I IFN induction, which suppresses inflammation. Type I IFN has a protective role in colon injury and protects against colonic inflammation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2005

Fewer false alarms when mammographers have greater experience screening healthy breasts

A study of over 1.2 million mammograms found that experienced physicians detected cancer with higher accuracy and had lower rates of false positives. The research suggests that raising the minimum annual volume requirements for qualified mammographers could improve the overall quality of screening mammography in the US.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 1, 2005

'Smart' immune cells kill more cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new method to educate T-cells in the bone marrow, increasing their ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. The approach shows promise for treating myeloma and potentially other blood and solid tumors.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateMar 1, 2005

Exercise tolerance is good screening test for chest pain patients

A Mayo Clinic study found that intermediate-risk patients with unstable angina who underwent exercise treadmill testing could be safely discharged from the emergency room without significant events. In contrast, those not eligible for testing were more likely to receive costly stress imaging and hospital admission.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMar 1, 2005

JCI table of contents March 1, 2005

Researchers at NYU School of Medicine discovered that glycyrrhizic acid can kill cells infected with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, triggering apoptosis in transformed B lymphocytes. This finding suggests a potential new treatment approach for latent viral infections.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2005

Purdue researchers use enzyme to clip 'DNA wires'

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to create DNA-based structures using magnetic nanoparticles and restriction enzymes. By clipping the DNA 'wires' into smaller pieces, they aim to reduce production costs and increase efficiency in electronic devices.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 1, 2005

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for March 2005 (first issue)

A recent workshop on SARS published in the American Thoracic Society's peer-reviewed journal emphasizes the need for antiviral drugs to prevent and treat SARS. The study also explores the association between obesity and asthma, finding a significant link in female children who become overweight during late adolescence and early adulthood.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 1, 2005