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Science News for May 16, 2005


Two new retroviruses—transmitted from animals—identified

Researchers have discovered two new retroviruses, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4, transmitted from animals to humans through contact with primate blood and body fluids. The study highlights the importance of surveillance among bushmeat hunters and the need for further research into disease outcomes and potential human-to-human transmission.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2005

PNAS highlights for the week of May 16 - 20

Researchers analyzed voting patterns and committee memberships to find the most partisan committees, including the Select Committee on Homeland Security. They also developed a mathematical tool to identify Representatives' partisanship and cooperativity. Additionally, they created insulin-producing cells from human liver cells that can...

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2005

Babies' cries linked to their health

Infants at medical risk, such as premature babies or those exposed to lead or drugs, exhibit distinct cry patterns that may indicate neurological problems. Cry analysis, supported by previous studies, can help identify undetected damage in high-risk infants.

SourceLifespan·JournalMental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews·DateMay 16, 2005

A hope for oil spill bioremediation

Researchers found that certain populations of bacteria in contaminated coastal waters can degrade crude oil components, particularly polycyclic aromatic compounds. This discovery suggests that indigenous microbiota have evolved to handle the pollution, paving the way for potential bioremediation methods.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2005

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

A national population-based study of 16,036 lung cancer patients found that Hispanics with curable stage I lung cancer had poorer lung cancer specific survival rates and worse all-cause mortality than white persons. This disparity was largely explained by lower surgical resection rates among Hispanics and a higher probability of being ...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 16, 2005

Rice, Iowa state biologists search for 'half-fusion'

Researchers at Rice University and Iowa State University discovered that hemifusion is an intermediate fusion state in biological systems, where the outer layer of the membrane mixes with the inner layer. This finding suggests that hemifusion may be the mechanism used by all living cells to facilitate membrane fusion.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMay 16, 2005

Are CT angiograms overused?

A recent study has found that CT angiograms are being performed at a significantly higher rate than necessary, leading to increased radiation exposure for patients. The study, which analyzed data from 2002-2004, showed that the percentage of patients with pulmonary embolism diagnosed using CTA decreased over time.

Dermatologists use immunotherapy to treat warts

Researchers found that injecting a wart with a skin test antigen from mumps, Candida, or Trichophyton can clear the wart and other distant warts. Patients who responded to treatment were more likely to have an immune response to HPV, suggesting intralesional immunotherapy induces HPV-directed immunity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateMay 16, 2005

The link between physical activity and ovarian cancer

Researchers found a decreased risk of certain types of ovarian tumors with moderate recreational physical activity, but not others. Physical activity also regulates hormone and growth factor levels, reducing ovarian cancer risk by affecting obesity.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateMay 16, 2005

Researchers prevent post-traumatic brain damage

Researchers have found that an experimental drug can effectively prevent much of the brain damage caused by traumatic injury. In a study using rat models, the drug was shown to reduce brain damage and improve cognitive and motor function. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new treatments for human traumatic brain injuries.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2005

Study finds maternal exposure to parasitic infection may increase risk of schizophrenia in offspring

A study by Columbia University found a potential link between maternal toxoplasmosis gondii infection and an increased risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring, particularly those with high antibody titers. The researchers suggest that inflammation may be the underlying mechanism behind this association.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 16, 2005