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Science News Archive May 2005 - Page 14


Page 14 of 16

Earth lightens up

According to a new study published in Science, the Earth's surface has been getting brighter for more than a decade, with an increase of about 4% over the past decade. This trend may accelerate warming at the surface and unmask the full effect of greenhouse warming.

More love, more hurt

A recent study by Judith Feeney found that emotional reactions to hurt in relationships are characterized by a sense of personal injury and negative emotions. The research suggests that hurt is elicited by relationship transgressions that damage an individual's core beliefs about themselves or others.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPersonal Relationships·DateMay 5, 2005

Finding the function of fish ferroportin

Researchers have identified ferroportin 1 as essential for normal iron cycling in zebrafish. This discovery sheds light on the importance of ferroportin 1 in maintaining iron homeostasis in humans. Understanding its function is crucial for developing effective treatments for iron-related disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 5, 2005

Motor transport in bio-nano systems

Researchers modelled and simulated motor traffic to determine optimal conditions for nanocargo transport in biomimetic systems. The study found that increasing the number of motors while avoiding traffic jams is crucial for efficient cargo transport.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateMay 5, 2005

Seeing what protein C is all about

Researchers used a novel transgenic strategy to create ProC mice with low protein C levels, which spontaneously developed thrombosis and inflammation. The study found that maternal ProC is required for sustaining pregnancy, highlighting the role of protein C in development and disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 5, 2005

More effort needed to prevent pattern of child abuse

A Canadian study involving 163 families with confirmed child physical abuse or neglect found that regular home visits by public-health nurses did not prevent recurrence of abuse. The study's findings suggest that prevention efforts must be invested in to reduce the risk of recurrence when a child remains in the home.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 5, 2005

Tollbooth ventilation system effective in protecting workers from traffic air pollution

Researchers measured air toxin levels in a tollbooth and found that the ventilation system provided relatively low and constant concentrations of pollutants, protecting workers during rush-hour traffic. However, chlorinated VOCs used in cleaning products were present at higher concentrations indoors than outdoors.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 5, 2005

Drug safety in the doctor's office: Nearly half of patients have lapses in monitoring

A study examining nearly 100,000 patients found that nearly half did not receive recommended laboratory tests to monitor potential drug side effects. The researchers conclude that lapses in drug safety monitoring are common and further research is needed to determine the extent of its impact on actual medical problems.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMay 5, 2005

Keeping cancer in check

A recent study by Penn researchers found that a metabolic enzyme works with the tumor-suppressor protein p53 to control cellular replication. The enzyme, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acts as a sensor to detect energy levels in cells and prevents them from replicating under certain conditions.

Study agrees, just do it!

A study by the University of Alberta found that successful exercisers use plans and action, not pep talks, to maintain regular exercise. Boomer-age women tend to have higher activity levels, while older men are less active due to fear of injury or illness.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise·DateMay 4, 2005

Slow balls take the swing out of young ball players

A study by McMaster University found that children's brains are less adept at judging speed in slow motion due to immaturity. As a result, adding speed to a pitch helps them perceive it more accurately. The research, set to be published in July, was triggered by a correlation between eye problems and perception.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalVision Research·DateMay 4, 2005

Researchers develop new method for facile identification of proteins in bacterial cells

Researchers have created a new method to identify specific proteins in bacterial cells, simplifying the process and increasing signal-to-background ratio. The technique uses peptide mass fingerprinting with mass spectrometry, allowing for rapid identification of target proteins amidst hundreds of other cell components.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 4, 2005

Soliciting organs over the Internet

The article discusses the rise of online organ donation platforms like MatchingDonors.com, which have successfully paired donors with recipients. However, the medical community is divided over the ethics of soliciting organs online, with concerns about subverting the UNOS system and policing financial remuneration for living donors.

New insight into Huntington's disease pathology

Studies in mice with genetically engineered mutant huntingtin protein found that widespread production led to locomotor problems, neurodegeneration, and abnormal brain connections. Conversely, restricted production showed little difference from normal mice, suggesting cellular interactions play a significant role in HD pathogenesis.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMay 4, 2005

Exercise in cold water may increase appetite, UF study finds

Researchers found that exercising in cold water led to a 44% higher caloric intake compared to warm water or resting periods. The study suggests that environmental conditions during exercise may influence post-exercise appetite, and individuals should consider the kinds of foods they eat after exercise.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism·DateMay 4, 2005