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Science News for March 15, 2005


Answer from 'dusty shelf' aids quest to see matter as it was just after big bang

Researchers dust off dusty shelf by applying Hanbury Brown-Twiss Interferometry to high-energy gold nucleus collisions, reconciling experimental data with theoretical expectations. They found that pions in the plasma have a low mass inside but a higher mass outside, helping create quark-gluon plasma conditions similar to those just aft...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 15, 2005

Study shows risk of cardiac death after radiation for breast cancer has dramatically decreased

A recent study found that advancements in radiation techniques have greatly reduced the risk of cardiac death after radiation therapy for breast cancer. Women with left-sided breast cancer had a higher mortality rate from ischemic heart disease compared to those with right-sided breast cancer, but this difference decreased over time.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 15, 2005

Plan to protect soybean crop is ready

A comprehensive plan has been developed by Virginia Tech to minimize losses from Soybean Rust, a disease that severely affected Brazilian soybeans. The plan includes educational programs and a monitoring system to identify the disease, as well as guidelines for scouting and treating infected fields.

Determining the fate of cells in the human body

The study found that Twist1 and Hand2 proteins couple to determine the number of digits on a hand, paw or wing, and whether these digits are webbed or not. Additionally, the researchers identified high-frequency mutations in patients with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome, which may lead to cardiac and placental tissue defects.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 15, 2005

Researchers discover chemical compounds that affect plant growth

A team of researchers has identified 219 chemicals that affect plant growth due to gravity, leading to a better understanding of protein transportation and genetic signaling in plant cellular membranes. The discovery uses chemical genomics to study the link between endomembrane system components and gravitropic response.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2005

New ways to design safer & more effective topical (transdermal) drug delivery announced in the PNAS

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have engineered over 300 new chemical penetration enhancers (CPEs) to improve the safety and efficacy of topical drug delivery. The new CPEs were designed using computer-aided modeling, allowing for the prediction of skin penetrability and potential irritation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2005

Antiretroviral therapy may prevent excess risk of some cancers in people with HIV

A study analyzed data from over 7,300 people infected with HIV and found that HAART treatment can lower the risk of Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, no significant reduction in risk was observed for other types of cancer. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer among people with HIV.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 15, 2005

Other highlights in the March 16 JNCI

A new study found that racial and ethnic differences in breast cancer rates can be largely explained by the distribution of risk factors, except in African American women. Among those diagnosed with breast cancer, African American women are more likely to have advanced-stage disease, larger tumors, and estrogen receptor-negative disease.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 15, 2005

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

Research finds that ICU patients who develop bloodstream infections have a significantly higher mortality rate than those who do not, highlighting the importance of preventing these infections. The study also suggests that interventions targeting less severely ill patients and at-risk individuals may be effective in reducing mortality ...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 15, 2005

Prostate cancer screening practices examined

A massive study is examining prostate cancer screening practices to determine their impact on death rates. The study follows 75,000 men, half of whom are screened and half receive conventional care, allowing researchers to compare survival rates.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 15, 2005

Risk of cardiac death after radiotherapy for breast cancer has declined, study finds

A study found that women with left-sided breast cancer had a higher risk of death from ischemic heart disease after radiation therapy, but this increased risk declined over time. Advances in radiation techniques have reduced the dose to the heart, resulting in lower mortality rates among women diagnosed with right-sided breast cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 15, 2005

Defensins neutralize anthrax toxin

Max Planck scientists have developed a novel therapeutic strategy against anthrax using defensins. These molecules can neutralize the lethal toxin of anthrax bacilli, preventing its deadly effect and protecting against fatal consequences.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2005