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Science News Archive 2006 - Page 32


Page 32 of 178

New study warns against linking ethnic identity to breast cancer genes

A recent study challenges the long-held link between Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity and increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. The research highlights methodological flaws and unintended consequences, including disparities in access to care and stigmatization. For non-Ashkenazi Jewish women, similar prevalence studies are lacking.

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 26, 2006

NASA satellite finds the world's most intense thunderstorms

Scientists used NASA satellite data to identify regions with the most intense thunderstorms, finding that eastern Andes Mountains in Argentina and semi-arid regions like Sahara Desert have powerful storms. The study also found that rainy areas like western Amazonia and Southeast Asia experience frequent but relatively few severe storms.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateOct 26, 2006

Crohn's disease gene identified

A study by Yale researchers has identified a gene variant associated with Crohn's disease, which may offer new therapeutic targets for the condition. The discovery was made in collaboration with international researchers who scanned the genome of over 300,000 individuals to identify genetic components of inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2006

Keep your eyes on the puck

Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered that elite goalies should focus their gaze directly on the puck to make a save. This 'Quiet Eye' phenomenon allows goalies to successfully block shots over 75% of the time.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalHuman Movement Science·DateOct 26, 2006

Big Bang theory saved

Astrophysicists have resolved a long-standing issue with the Big Bang theory by studying gas movements in stars. Computer models revealed that low mass stars destroy helium 3 before it can be released into space, resolving the discrepancy.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2006

Good information? It's not all about the brain

A new study by Olaf Sporns and Max Lungarella provides insight into how the brain operates and sheds light on its evolution. The researchers created a mathematical framework that quantifies the relationship between neural and behavioral processes, revealing that the brain and body are interconnected.

SourceIndiana University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 26, 2006

Vaccine against pneumococcal disease

Researchers found a two- or three-dose schedule may be as effective as the traditional four-dose schedule in preventing pneumococcal disease in young children. The vaccine showed high effectiveness against seven strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, with 96% efficacy in healthy children and 81% in those at risk.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 26, 2006

There's much more to bees than honey

The Honey Bee Genome Sequencing Project has shed light on the biology of honey bees, revealing a possible cause for their sensitivity to insecticides and the characteristics of their silk. The study also found that bee silk is more amenable to artificial production than other insects, with potential applications in textile manufacturing.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateOct 25, 2006

Wealthy 'amenity' ranchers taking over the West

A new study reveals that traditional ranchers are being priced out of business as wealthy 'amenity' owners buy up large ranches around Yellowstone National Park. These new owners often prioritize restoration of native ecosystems, large-scale conservation projects, and innovative approaches to blending conventional ranching with non-let...

SourceOregon State University·JournalSociety & Natural Resources·DateOct 25, 2006

New behavior may use old genes

ASU researchers have identified ancestral genes from solitary predecessors as likely connected to social behavior in honeybees. The study mapped behavior precisely to genome regions using high recombination rates, revealing a conserved pathway of insulin signaling involved in foraging decisions.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateOct 25, 2006

Erotic images prove useful in coaxing out unconscious brain activity

Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered that erotic images can trigger unconscious brain responses in individuals based on their gender and sexual orientation. The study found that even when subjects were unaware of the images, they shifted their visual attention accordingly. The results suggest that the brain processes v...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2006

CHEST 2006 abstract briefs

Research suggests that asthma diagnosis may be overdiagnosed in obese patients, while inadequate workplace safety education is linked to an increased incidence of occupational asthma. Additionally, a study finds that diabetes increases the prevalence of asthma, and heart murmurs are more common in women.

Nevada Terawatt Facility makes important advancement in unraveling mysteries of fusion energy

Researchers at the Nevada Terawatt Facility have made a significant step forward in understanding fundamental processes required for controlled fusion energy. They developed a new technique to measure mass transport and magnetic field dynamics in low wire array z-pinches, which could lead to improved efficiency in energy transfer.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 25, 2006

Another form to fill in

A study by CQU's International Program for Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) revealed that standardised questionnaires in hospice practice negatively impacted upon patients' and carers' experiences and wellbeing. Informal conversation was seen as a flexible, sensitive, and consumer-focused alternative to questionnaire use.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalSupportive Care in Cancer·DateOct 25, 2006

Research discovers oldest bee, evolutionary link

Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered the oldest bee ever known, a 100 million year old specimen preserved in almost lifelike form in amber. The discovery supports the theory that pollen-dependent bees evolved from meat-eating wasps and sheds light on the rapid expansion of flowering plants during the Cretaceous Period.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateOct 25, 2006