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Science News Archive August 2006 - Page 15


Page 15 of 15

Discovery in 'Bubble Boy' disease gene therapy

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital developed a mouse model that explains why gene therapy treatment caused leukemia in some severe immune deficiency patients with XSCID. The study found that the disease itself makes mice susceptible to cancer caused by gene therapy, offering hope for safe treatment.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 1, 2006

JCI table of contents: August 1, 2006

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that marijuana use at conception and early pregnancy can prevent embryos from safely passing to the uterus, leading to early pregnancy failure. The study also showed that THC, a psychoactive component of marijuana, can swamp normal signaling systems, causing implantat...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 1, 2006

CSIRO reveals how continents can break apart

Researchers have found that continents are significantly weaker than previously suspected, with a narrow weak zone taking up most of the deformation. This discovery explains the origin of flat-lying zones of weakness known as detachment faults, which were not previously understood.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateAug 1, 2006

All the eggs in one basket

Conservation assessments of endangered Caribbean sea turtles are overly optimistic due to a lack of focus on declining turtle populations on historically important nesting beaches. The study highlights the critical importance of re-establishing lost nesting sites to prevent permanent population decline.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateAug 1, 2006

Apes -- not monkeys -- ace IQ tests

Researchers found great apes outperforming monkeys and lemurs in problem-solving tests across multiple paradigms. This suggests a broad, domain-general type of intelligence that allows them to succeed in various situations, contradicting the theory of specialized skills.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateAug 1, 2006

Marijuana use causes early pregnancy failure

A new study in mice reveals that marijuana use at conception and early pregnancy can cause embryos to fail to reach the uterus, resulting in early pregnancy failure. The study found that THC, a major psychoactive component of marijuana, disrupts anandamide signaling, leading to impaired fertility and ectopic pregnancies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 1, 2006

Key event in cell death occurs as single, quick event

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered that a key event during apoptosis occurs as a single, rapid event, rather than a step-by-step process. This finding sheds new light on how cells 'commit suicide' and highlights the importance of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in regulating apoptosis.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 1, 2006

World Trade Center dust cuts lung function capability in rescue workers

A large-scale study found that NYC firefighters' lung function declined by 12 years of age due to WTC dust exposure, with early arrival time-based periods showing more frequent respiratory symptoms. Researchers emphasize the importance of medical surveillance for high-risk jobs and call for better protective equipment.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 1, 2006

AGU journal highlights -- August 1, 2006

Research papers explore the effects of glacier shrinkage on alpine uplift, challenge previous theories on the mantle transition zone, and use stratospheric oxygen/nitrogen ratios to constrain carbon uptake budgets by the biosphere and ocean. Mineral dust aerosol emission is also enhanced by electric forces.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 1, 2006

TB relapse due to low weight gain after initial treatment

A study found that TB patients underweight at diagnosis who gain less than 5% weight during the first two months of treatment have a significantly increased risk of disease relapse. This association holds even among those with abnormal chest x-rays and positive sputum cultures after 2 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 1, 2006

Big kids are getting too big

Researchers found that taller, faster-growing children are more vulnerable to the effects of an obesogenic environment. The study, which surveyed 50,000 three-year-olds, showed a strong relationship between child growth and obesity.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateAug 1, 2006