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Science News Archive 2006 - Page 112


Page 112 of 178

Helping hands

A study by Association for Psychological Science found that pairs can coordinate through haptic interactions, leading to improved performance and development of cooperative strategies. The researchers speculate that this capacity is a fundamental human ability used in various daily activities.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 16, 2006

Pak1 expression increases tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients

A study of 403 premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer found that increased Pak1 expression correlates with reduced sensitivity to tamoxifen therapy, leading to decreased survival rates. Researchers suggest targeting Pak1 as a potential strategy to improve treatment response in breast cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 16, 2006

Our memory wears rose-colored glasses

The study highlights that self-defining memories are emotionally complex and significant to individuals. Researcher Wendy-Jo Wood found that people tend to downplay negative events while emphasizing positive ones, which contributes to a more optimistic view of their experiences.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Personality·DateMay 16, 2006

Putting healthcare dollars into the 'right' prevention services

A series of articles ranks preventive services by their cost-effectiveness and population health benefits, highlighting influenza vaccines and colorectal cancer screening as top priorities. The studies show that these services can save thousands of years of life and prevent deaths, with significant potential for improving overall healt...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 16, 2006

Cultural approach is key to tackling obesity

A cultural approach is essential in tackling obesity, with women generally basing their ideal weight on cultural criteria. Obesity is defined in positive terms by Black Americans, relating it to attractiveness, while White women define it negatively, associating it with unattractive and socially undesirable body image.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateMay 16, 2006

Plant protection from cold decoded

Plant biologist Jian Kang Zhu discovered that the high expression of osmotically responsive gene 1 (HOS1) acts as a biochemical gate to cut off the plant's cold protection. The HOS1 protein interacts with ICE1, kicking off a genetic cascade that provides cold protection proteins.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2006

Indiana U researchers closer to finding a genetic cause of hearing loss in aging

A study of 50 pairs of fraternal twins with hearing loss identified a specific region of DNA, DFNA18 on chromosome 3, that may contain an important locus for hearing loss in the general population. The findings suggest variation in genes within this region could lead to differences in susceptibility to hearing loss.

SourceIndiana University·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateMay 16, 2006

No evidence of 'Iraq War Syndrome'

A study published in The Lancet found that UK armed forces personnel who took part in the 2003 Iraq War experienced slight rises in common symptoms, but not to the same extent as those who fought in the 1991 Gulf War. Fatigue was not increased after the 2003 Iraq War.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 15, 2006

A ruler to measure the universe

Researchers have created a massive 3-D map of the universe, mapping the distribution of galaxies and providing new insights into dark energy. The map uses luminous red galaxies as 'lighthouses' to measure distances, covering vast scales of up to a billion light-years across.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 15, 2006

Penn State researchers look beyond the birth of the universe

A team of researchers at Penn State has discovered a mathematical description of a contracting universe that existed before the Big Bang, with space-time geometry and gravity exhibiting unique properties. The findings rely on loop quantum gravity theory, which proposes a discrete 'atomic' structure to space-time.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 2006

The Daily Show affects young voters

A study found that exposure to The Daily Show led participants to rate candidates more negatively and view the political system as more cynical. Researchers conclude that this may deter young Americans from voting. The study's implications for political participation should be explored further.

SourceSAGE·JournalAmerican Politics Research·DateMay 15, 2006

Free access to science speeds its use

A natural experiment found that open-access articles in PNAS gained a significant citation advantage over non-OA articles, being twice as likely to be cited within 4-10 months and almost three times more likely between 10-16 months after publication. The study suggests that open access accelerates the dissemination of scientific research.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 15, 2006

Global warming may have damaged coral reefs forever

A recent study found that coral reefs in the Seychelles have suffered severe damage from global warming, leading to a 90% decline in coral cover and a significant loss of biodiversity. The damaged reefs are unable to reseed and recover, resulting in profound impacts on other organisms in the ecosystem.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2006

Plants tell caterpillars when it's safe to forage

Researchers found that caterpillars respond to variations in plant volatile production to reduce encounters with parasitic wasps. The study demonstrates that plant volatiles, rather than light, control the daily behavior of caterpillars.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 15, 2006

Prozac's target revealed

Researchers have identified the specific step in the neurogenesis pathway that Prozac (fluoxetine) stimulates, increasing the number of neurons in the brain. The study's findings lay the foundation for future cell replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2006

Modeling head and neck cancers

Researchers have developed a completely penetrant mouse model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, recapitulating the human disease at both pathological and molecular levels. The model enables testing of combinations of targeted therapies and prevention approaches for HNSCC.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 14, 2006

'Significant number' of parents of junior athletes adversely affect their child's development

A national survey of junior tennis coaches found that over half of parents have a positive influence on their children's development, but more than a third are harmful. Coaches identified excessive focus on winning, unrealistic expectations, and criticising as common problems, scoring them highly in terms of seriousness.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMay 14, 2006

Combining work and motherhood is good for women's health

Women who balance work and family responsibilities are more likely to report good health, with those who have been home-makers for short periods showing the lowest rates of obesity. Analysis suggests that adopting multiple roles may be a contributing factor to overall well-being rather than a cause of poor health.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMay 14, 2006