Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 12, 2005


Native plant eaters have gourmet palates

Research at Georgia Tech suggests that native plant eaters prefer exotic meals over native plants, contradicting the enemy release hypothesis. This finding supports the 'new associations' hypothesis, which states that newly introduced plants may lack defenses against native consumers due to their evolutionary history.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalEcology Letters·DateSep 12, 2005

Free HIV medicines must be given to all, not just to some

Limiting free antiretroviral medicine access to only treatment-naïve patients puts patients at risk of adverse effects and can slow treatment enrollment. Human rights issues arise when some individuals are denied medication due to financial constraints, potentially leading to their demise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 12, 2005

Childhood cancer survivors face social challenges

Childhood cancer survivors are more likely to experience academic problems, social isolation, and difficulties with friendships. Researchers found that these issues affect up to 46% of survivors, particularly those with brain cancers, leukemia, or neuroblastoma.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateSep 12, 2005

Women heart attack sufferers face longer hospital delays than men, says new study

A new study reveals that women who suffer from heart attacks are more likely to experience longer hospital delays compared to their male counterparts. The study, which analyzed data from six major hospitals in Dublin, found that women were medically assessed an average of 30 minutes after arrival, while men received medical attention i...

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateSep 12, 2005

Postmortem data support link between gene and schizophrenia

A study has found a significant connection between the CAPON gene and schizophrenia, with brain samples from patients showing higher levels of the short form of the protein. This increase was predominantly seen in individuals with variants of the CAPON gene previously linked to schizophrenia.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 12, 2005

Combination treatment enhances tetanus vaccination

Researchers found that a natural product of vitamin A can regulate immunity and enhance vaccine response when combined with PIC. The combination resulted in a four to seven times better immune response compared to individual treatments.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2005

No single gene for ageing

The study highlights the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in determining human aging. While there is no single gene responsible for aging, genetics account for approximately 25% of how a person ages, with stress, environment, nutrition, lifestyle, and immunity also playing significant roles.

Millenium Development Goals ignore mental health

Mental disorders are a major cause of sickness, disability, and premature mortality in developing countries. Treating mental disorders is crucial to achieving goals such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 12, 2005

Making practical markets for vaccines

A report on vaccine markets is criticized for favoring large firms and delaying access to effective vaccines. The author recommends using advanced purchase commitments as a complement to research funding.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 12, 2005