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Science News Archive March 2005 - Page 2


Page 2 of 15

Carrots of color

Dr. Leonard Pike aims to breed a carrot containing lutein, carotene, anthocyanin, and lycopene, which have been shown to ward off various diseases and improve health. The goal is to create a healthier snack option for Americans who consume over 5 pounds of carrots annually.

'Color-blind' method opens new doors in DNA sequencing

A new DNA sequencing method called pulsed multiline excitation (PME) uses four lasers to eliminate cross-talk between dyes, resulting in more precise sequence information. This technology could lower costs for high-throughput genetic scans and lead to rapid and inexpensive genome sequencing.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2005

Challenging the Venus and Mars theory

A study by Fisher and Dubé finds that men exhibit significant emotional responses to ads when alone, contrary to the stereotype of women being more 'emotional'. The research reveals that males are sensitive to specific types of emotions in social environments, leading to profound implications for advertisers approaching male customers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Enticing the bilingual consumer

A recent study found that advertisers who switched from a majority to a minority language (typically English to Spanish) elicited more negative thoughts and lower product evaluations than those switching in reverse. This suggests that consumers perceive minority languages as having less prestige, affecting persuasion.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

The power of pride

This study explores how positive emotions, specifically pride, influence consumer behavior and repurchasing decisions. Key findings show that high pride can lead to reduced repurchase intentions due to differing self-regulatory goals. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting consumer behavior in marketing strategies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Does wooing work?

Consumers demonstrate general reciprocity by rewarding firms for actions with no personal benefit, based on perceived motives. The study's findings suggest that the true motives of firms do not influence consumer responses to effort.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Unexpected benefit seen in treating HER-2 breast cancer with new preoperative drug combo

Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with Herceptin before surgery in early-stage breast cancer patients resulted in a 42% higher tumor reduction and 66.7% pathological complete remission rate compared to chemotherapy alone. The combination also showed less risk of heart damage, leading the clinical trial to be halted early.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 29, 2005

The cult of consumerism

Researchers found that brand communities exhibit transformative experiences, magic, religion, and supernatural elements. Consumers take on a cult-like role, modifying products, innovating, and sharing stories to sustain the brand's values and beliefs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

UW study shows blacks and Latinos are more satisfied with physicians of the same race

A national survey of over 3,800 patients found that nearly 25% of blacks and 33% of Latinos prefer physicians of the same race. This preference is linked to higher patient satisfaction rates. Researchers suggest addressing racial disparities in healthcare by increasing access to minority physicians and improving patient choice options.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 29, 2005

Playing the game

The article explores how social class affects consumer practices through the concept of habitus, which shapes self-concept and everyday spending. Professional consumers exhibit more elaborate budgeting strategies due to their experience of empowerment.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Raw food vegetarians have low bone mass

A study of strict raw food vegans found they had lower body mass indices and significantly lower bone mass, but normal markers of bone turnover. They also had higher-than-normal vitamin D levels and low inflammation.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 28, 2005

Uric acid and heart disease

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that uric acid levels are unlikely to be a major determinant of coronary heart disease. The research analyzed data from over 9,400 cases of CHD and 155,000 controls, concluding that improving diet, losing weight, and controlling blood pressure may help reduce the risk of CHD.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 28, 2005

Suppressing the cells that trigger cat allergy

Researchers from Imperial College London identified a population of T cells that can suppress the proliferation of allergen-reactive T cells in vitro. This finding suggests a potential new approach to treating cat allergy, which has become more frequent in industrialized countries.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 28, 2005

New imaging method gives early indication if brain cancer therapy is effective, U-M study shows

Researchers developed a functional diffusion map using MRI scans to track water diffusion in the brain, finding that changes predicted tumor response 10 weeks before traditional techniques. This method could spare patients from ineffective treatment and allow doctors to switch to more effective therapies.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2005

Nanotechnology could promote hydrogen economy

Researchers at Rutgers University develop nanostructured iridium surfaces to extract hydrogen from ammonia, enabling efficient fuel cell operation. The process could contribute to the solution of hydrogen economy's storage and transport obstacles.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 28, 2005

Indiana University researchers closer to helping hearing-impaired using stem cells

Researchers at Indiana University have successfully transformed adult bone marrow stem cells into auditory neurons, offering new hope for treating deaf patients. The breakthrough involves the use of Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid molecules to stimulate the growth of nerve cells in patients with profound hearing loss.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2005

A marker for new blood vessel formation in tumors

Researchers have developed a marker to measure new blood vessel growth in tumors using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and a fluorine-labeled glycopeptide. The marker, αvβ3 integrin, can identify tumors that express this marker, assess new vessel formation, and guide anti-angiogenic therapies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 28, 2005

Protecting children from industrial chemicals in the environment

A group of researchers argue that industrial chemicals in the environment pose significant health risks to children due to their exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and placental transfer. The lack of developmental neurotoxicity testing for 75% of high-production volume chemicals is a major concern.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 28, 2005

Organizational traits associated with quality patient care are essential to home care nursing

A recent survey of home care nurses in the US and New Zealand found that organizational traits such as professional autonomy, collaborative relationships, and access to resources were highly valued. These traits were also associated with positive nurse retention and patient outcomes, suggesting their importance in home care nursing.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Nursing Scholarship·DateMar 28, 2005