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Science News for June 14, 2006


Nilotinib appears to help chronic myelogenous leukemia patients when standard care fails

A phase I clinical trial reveals nilotinib has a relatively favorable safety profile and demonstrates activity against drug-resistant CML, with notable improvements in chronic phase CML patients. However, the agent shows less activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and may require careful monitoring for cardiac events.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 14, 2006

Dissecting the machinery of nicotine's reward

Researchers discovered that nicotine activates specific receptors in dopamine-producing neurons, leading to increased responsiveness and triggering exploratory behaviors. The study suggests a hierarchical role of two receptor subunits in regulating the response to nicotine.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 14, 2006

Where the brain organizes actions

Broca's area plays a crucial role in organizing actions and processing hierarchical structures, according to researchers Etienne Koechlin and Thomas Jubault. Their experiments found that this executive function is distinct from the organization of temporal sequences of actions.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 14, 2006

RBP4 predicts type 2 diabetes

Researchers found that elevated RBP4 levels are closely associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Exercise therapy can lower RBP4 levels and improve insulin sensitivity in individuals at risk of diabetes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 14, 2006