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Science News Archive 2006 - Page 11


Page 11 of 178

Study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that palifermin clearance and tolerability are not affected by renal function. No dose adjustment is indicated for patients with impaired kidney function, allowing the drug to be used without restrictions.

SourceSAGE·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateDec 6, 2006

Blame our evolutionary risk of cancer on body mass

Scientists discovered that higher body mass, not lifespan, increases the risk of cancer due to telomerase expression. Rodents from various species showed a correlation between body size and telomerase activity, while human's don't express it in somatic cells, suggesting evolution prioritized cancer prevention over healing.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAging Cell·DateDec 6, 2006

Magnetic whirlpools feed Earth's magnetosphere

Researchers have discovered that giant whirlpools of electrically charged gas above the Earth inject electrified gas into the planet's magnetic environment. The whirlpools, known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, cause magnetic reconnection events that redirect plasma along new routes.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalAnnales Geophysicae·DateDec 6, 2006

RAND study finds adolescent Asian immigrants improve their good health habits over time

A RAND Corporation study found that adolescent Asian immigrants improved their preventive health behaviors, such as physical activity and nutrition, across generations. In contrast, Latino teens showed poorer or worsening habits over time, particularly in nutrition, which may contribute to high obesity rates among the Latino community.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 5, 2006

Learning during sleep?

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research have found that the cerebral cortex actively controls memory transfer during sleep. The researchers developed a new technique to investigate this largely under-researched field, discovering a link between interneurones and the cerebral cortex.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 5, 2006

Rural students lag behind in sub-Saharan Africa

A new study by Yanhong Zhang reveals that almost 45 million students in sub-Saharan Africa were not enrolled in school in 2001, with rural students facing significant learning disadvantages. The study finds that family socio-economic status and school quality play a crucial role in the learning gaps between urban and rural students.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalComparative Education Review·DateDec 5, 2006

Former White House science advisor warns that nanotechnology's potential threatened

Dr. Neal Lane, former U.S. President Bill Clinton's science advisor, expresses concerns about the impact of limited public knowledge on nanotechnology's future success. He emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort to educate the public and provide balanced information about nanotechnology's benefits and risks.

Dreaming of a nanotech Christmas: What persuades the public to embrace and buy nanotechnology?

A large-scale study found that greater popular awareness and understanding of nanotechnology increases support for research and reduces concerns. The study compared the experience of emerging nanotechnology to other new technologies, highlighting the importance of citizen-scientist dialogue in shaping public perceptions.

Research yields new insights into the cause of diabetes

A new hypothesis proposes that a deficiency in the enzyme Pancreatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Kinase (PERK) during fetal development can lead to permanent neonatal diabetes. The research found that PERK-deficient mice have impaired beta cell proliferation, differentiation, and clustering, resulting in reduced insulin production.

SourcePenn State·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 5, 2006

Blacks less likely to recognize overweight and obesity, study shows

A recent study found that black Americans are less likely to recognize their own overweight or obese status compared to white Americans, despite having higher rates of excess weight. The research suggests that this misperception can have significant health consequences, including increased risk of diabetes and premature death.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateDec 5, 2006

Newts which regrow their hearts

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute discovered that newt heart cells can re-differentiate after damage, allowing for complete repair and restoration of function. The researchers found that Phospho-H3 protein marks the G2 phase of cell cycle and indicates regeneration without stem cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateDec 5, 2006

Making sense of sensors

Researchers Vin de Silva and Robert Ghrist use homology theory to analyze sensor networks, providing global information about coverage areas and detecting intruders. The study offers insights into designing effective sensor networks for national security measures.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·JournalNotices of the American Mathematical Society·DateDec 5, 2006

Southern Ocean could slow global warming

A new climate model predicts that the Southern Ocean's absorption of heat and carbon dioxide will slow the rate of global warming. The ocean's ability to sequester heat and carbon dioxide could lead to sea level rise, but also change the chemistry of the water, making it less habitable for some marine organisms.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Climate·DateDec 5, 2006