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Science News for May 31, 2005


Penn study documents access to trauma centers in the United States

A US study finds that 84% of residents are within an hour's distance from a trauma center, with medical helicopters key to extending this access to suburban and rural areas. The researchers recommend reorganizing trauma centers, ambulances, and helicopter bases to improve access.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateMay 31, 2005
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New technique appears to stop abnormal blood vessel growth

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have developed a new approach to inhibit blood vessel growth by targeting VEGF production within cells. The technique, which uses a gene that binds to and sequesters VEGF, has shown promising results in reducing destructive blood vessel proliferation by up to two-thirds.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateMay 31, 2005

Harmful chemicals may reprogram gene response to estrogen

Researchers found that early-life exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) can increase the incidence of uterine tumors in rats with a genetic predisposition. The study suggests that environmental exposures during development can interact with a preexisting genetic susceptibility to increase disease risk.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 31, 2005

ESC emphasizes underestimated effects of tobacco use

Heavy smoking is associated with a four-fold increase in major cardiovascular events, emphasizing the need for enhanced policies and individual support. The European Society of Cardiology advocates for smoke-free environments and access to quitting resources.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMay 31, 2005

Navigating an integrated yeast network

Lan Zhang et al. integrated five biological relationships to discover recurring patterns and themes, highlighting previously unknown relationships between functional modules. Their approach can predict interactions and gene functions, offering a basis for detailed network reconstruction and understanding biological networks.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateMay 31, 2005
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Shorter course of radiotherapy effective for palliation of painful bone metastases

A randomized trial of 900 patients with breast or prostate cancer found that a shorter course of radiation therapy was as effective as the standard treatment in providing pain relief. The study also showed less acute toxicity and re-treatment rates in patients who received a single dose of 8 Gy radiation.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 31, 2005

Location, access to trauma centers often inadequate, inefficient

A study found that approximately 69% and 84% of US residents had access to level I or II trauma centers within 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. Rural areas were often without timely access to these centers, while urban areas had better access due to higher concentrations of trauma centers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 31, 2005

miRNA profiling

The miRNA profiling technique is widely used in cancer research to identify and quantify microRNAs in tumor tissues. Researchers have found that specific miRNA patterns are associated with different types of cancers, leading to potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 31, 2005

Cancer patients have increased risk of cognitive dysfunction, study finds

A study by Beth E. Meyerowitz and colleagues found that cancer survivors are twice as likely to experience cognitive deficits, including dementia, compared to their cancer-free twins. The authors suggest that cancer treatments may lower survivors' cognitive reserve, leading to increased risk of long-term cognitive dysfunction.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 31, 2005

People with diabetes more sensitive to cardiovascular effects from air pollution

Researchers found that exposure to fine particles in air pollution impairs blood vessel reactivity in people with diabetes, leading to a higher risk of heart problems. The study also suggests that this association may help explain previous findings on the link between air pollution and cardiovascular issues in diabetics.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·DateMay 31, 2005
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Non-dieters more successful at boosting health than dieters, study finds

A new study by UC Davis researchers suggests that learning to recognize and follow internal hunger cues can significantly improve overall health regardless of weight loss. Non-dieters who adopted the Health at Every Size approach showed significant improvements in metabolic and psychological health, including lower cholesterol levels a...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateMay 31, 2005

Mayo Clinic Proceedings studies risk factors for blood clots

Research from Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals that patients traveling long distances prior to surgery are at increased risk of postoperative blood clots, which can be life-threatening. The study also found a threshold for anesthesia duration that increases the risk of blood clots in veins after surgery.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMay 31, 2005

May/June 2005 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Research found that primary care physicians have only 3.5 hours per day to provide care for common chronic diseases, increasing to over 10 hours per day when accounting for poorly controlled conditions. The authors suggest collaborative guideline development and team approaches to patient education to address this issue.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 31, 2005
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Other highlights in the June 1 JNCI

Research on the ATM gene suggests that women carrying one mutated copy are twice as likely to develop breast cancer, with a lifetime risk of one in six compared to one in 11 in the general population. Meanwhile, a new study on ursodeoxycholic acid treatment found a 39% reduction in colorectal adenoma recurrence among patients who recei...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 31, 2005

Children in foster care may be underaccounted for in the Medicaid program

A recent study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that the Medicaid system fails to identify 28% of children in foster care. The study also discovered that nearly 40% of these children never visited a healthcare provider after being placed in foster care, highlighting concerns about unmet medical needs.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAmbulatory Pediatrics·DateMay 31, 2005

Health professionals should quit being passive about smoking

Cancer centers are urged to implement tobacco cessation services, promoting a smoke-free environment for patients and staff. The public is aware of tobacco's risks, and excuses about staff smoking should not justify continued smoking in healthcare facilities.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 31, 2005

Richer nations at more risk of schizophrenia

A comprehensive survey of schizophrenia rates around the globe debunks a popular textbook definition that the disorder affects 10 in every 1000 people. The study reveals the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies greatly between regions, with poorer countries having more women affected than men.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 31, 2005
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

African HIV subtypes identified in Minnesota population

Researchers identified seven non-B HIV-1 subtypes among African-born patients in Minnesota, contradicting the assumption of subtype B prevalence. The study suggests that implementing HIV subtype surveillance in states with larger immigrant populations is essential for public health.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateMay 31, 2005

Tort reform associated with increase in physician supply

A study found that adopting direct malpractice reforms led to a significant increase in the overall supply of physicians. The researchers discovered that these reforms had a larger effect on nongroup vs. group physicians, specialties with high malpractice insurance premiums, and states with high levels of managed care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 31, 2005

Messenger peeks at Earth

MESSENGER successfully tested its main camera by snapping distant approach shots of Earth and the Moon. The images show bands of clouds between North and South America on Earth's sunlit side, providing valuable data for planetary exploration.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateMay 31, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Cancer survivors may be at higher risk for cognitive dysfunction

Research suggests long-term cancer survivors may experience increased cognitive impairment, with 15% showing signs of cognitive dysfunction. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into potential causes and possible treatments.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 31, 2005

New complicated grief treatment holds promise for millions, Pitt researchers report

A new treatment approach for complicated grief, developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers, has shown significant promise in improving symptoms and reducing emotional pain. The treatment, which combines elements of interpersonal psychotherapy with a unique two-pronged approach, was found to be more effective than a comparison th...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateMay 31, 2005