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Science News Archive February 2006 - Page 2


Page 2 of 15

Radical proposal to speed development of stem cell therapies

A radical proposal suggests that California's CIRM could accelerate the development of stem cell therapies by implementing a patent pool and a shared prize system. This approach aims to stimulate innovation, make treatments more affordable, and establish a new medical innovation model for the 21st century.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2006

Predators keep the world green, ecologists find

A study in a Venezuelan reservoir found that predator-free islands had significantly fewer plant species and smaller sapling densities than larger land masses. The researchers concluded that the presence of predators is essential for maintaining biodiversity and preventing ecosystem collapse.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateFeb 27, 2006

A case of mistaken molecular identity

A recent study found that antibodies targeting the Chagas parasite also block rhodopsin, a molecule essential for converting light into electrical impulses. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease's vision problems. Researchers hope to develop new drugs or vaccines to combat the parasite and improv...

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateFeb 27, 2006

Disclosing study outcomes to participants may backfire

Experts warn that sharing study results with participants could negatively impact their future health due to potential regret over less effective treatments. A revised informed consent strategy is proposed to balance individual rights with the need for transparency.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateFeb 27, 2006

Treatment of severe coronary artery disease with drug-eluting stents a viable alternative to CABG

A study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that angioplasty with drug-eluting stents resulted in outcomes equivalent to bypass surgery for patients with left main coronary artery disease. The treatment was shown to have similar short- and intermediate-term clinical outcomes, despite higher risk patient demographics.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 27, 2006

Cocoa intake linked to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of death

A study of 470 Dutch men aged 65-84 found that regular cocoa consumption was associated with lower blood pressure and a significantly reduced risk of death from all causes, including cardiovascular disease. The benefits were not attributed to lowering blood pressure alone but may be related to flavan-3-ols and antioxidants in cocoa.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2006

Chemotherapy given directly to the liver improves survival for patients with colorectal cancer

Researchers found that hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy extended survival and improved quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. HAI therapy resulted in a median survival of 24 months, better response rates, and longer time to disease progression compared to systemic chemotherapy.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 27, 2006

Legal and ethical questions about stem cell research

The article highlights the need for researchers to navigate intricate legal, ethical, and political issues surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. The author, Henry T. Greely, emphasizes that these concerns will significantly impact researchers, institutions, and science as a whole.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2006

You will remember this

Researchers at University College London discovered that brain activity before an event is linked to memory recall. The study used EEG scans to show that preparing the brain for a task can enhance long-term memory, and that this preparation can be done by being 'in the right frame of mind' and staying alert between cues.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 26, 2006