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Science News for September 20, 2005


New tools used to control foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks related to green onions

Researchers used molecular epidemiologic methods to identify the relationships between four separate foodborne hepatitis A virus outbreaks in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The methods helped public health officials respond quickly to outbreaks and provided reassurance that a larger outbreak was not occurring.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateSep 20, 2005

Scientists develop life-saving chrome

British scientists have developed a new method of coating metals using sol-gel technology, which offers improved corrosion resistance and reduced costs. The technique uses nanoparticles to form a gel-like layer on the metal's surface, providing a safer alternative to traditional chrome electroplating.

Breakthrough in micro-device fabrication combines biology and synthetic chemistry

Researchers have developed new approaches to produce micro-devices with complex shapes and properties, opening up opportunities for biomedical, computing, environmental cleanup, defense, and other applications. The study uses biologically derived structures that can be chemically modified without changing their shape or fine features.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalInternational Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology·DateSep 20, 2005

Beta-carotene assoc. with higher risk of some cancers in women smokers but not nonsmokers

A study of nearly 60,000 French women found that beta-carotene intake was inversely associated with tobacco-related cancer risk in never-smokers, but increased the risk in former and current smokers. The researchers also calculated that the absolute rates of tobacco-related cancers over 10 years varied significantly between nonsmoking ...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 20, 2005

Sugar helps control cell division

New study reveals that O-GlcNAc modification of proteins regulates cell division and controls the steps and timing of cell division, contributing to cancer and other diseases. Researchers found that increasing or decreasing O-GlcNAc levels disrupts cell cycle, leading to cells with more than one nucleus, a common trait in cancer cells.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 20, 2005

Increased ovarian cancer risk not found in women with breast cancer family history

A study of 199 families with multiple cases of breast cancer found that women from these families do not have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Despite this, the genetic mechanism for up to half of hereditary breast cancer remains unknown, prompting ongoing research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 20, 2005

Gene that controls the severity of asthma identified

A recent study by Yale University researchers has discovered a gene that controls the severity of asthma, finding that high production variants of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene are associated with severe disease. The study used mice models and human data to support an important role for MIF in asthma pathogenesis.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 20, 2005