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Science News for June 5, 2006


Illinois researchers produce two most important scientific papers

Nick Holonyak Jr.'s seminal research on transistors and lasers has been recognized as one of the most significant papers in Applied Physics Letters. His work on room-temperature operation of a transistor laser facilitated faster signal processing, seamless communications, and higher performance electrical and optical integrated circuits.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 5, 2006

Penn researchers question change in 'gold standard' for assessing heart failure treatment

A study of nearly 600 female heart failure patients revealed that women had better outcomes with lower VO2 levels and less need for a heart transplant. The results challenge the current 'gold standard' for assessing treatment options, highlighting the importance of considering gender differences in heart failure management.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 5, 2006

Do 'planemos' have progeny?

Researchers have discovered six 'planemos,' planetary mass objects with masses similar to extra-solar planets, surrounded by dusty discs that may evolve into miniature planetary systems. These findings suggest similar infancies for our Sun and smaller objects, blurring the definition of a planet.

SourceESO·DateJun 5, 2006

Natural born killers

Natural killer cells rely on receptor tyrosine kinases, such as Tyro3, to acquire their reconnaissance tool kit, allowing them to distinguish friend from foe. The study reveals that environmental signals, transmitted through Gas6 and protein S, trigger the maturation of natural killer cells.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateJun 5, 2006

Do angry men get noticed?

A recent study found that men and women both prioritize detecting angry male faces, suggesting a bias towards threat detection. Angry male faces were also found more rapidly by both sexes than angry female faces or socially relevant expressions.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 5, 2006

Telephone counseling improves lung transplant quality of life

A study by Duke University Medical Center found that telephone counseling can improve the quality of life for patients waiting for a lung transplant, reducing emotional distress and anxiety. The researchers believe this approach could be useful for patients with chronic diseases who cannot access face-to-face counseling due to distance...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateJun 5, 2006

A new way to build bone

Researchers found that slightly increasing NFATc1 activity leads to massive bone accumulation in mice, suggesting potential new targets for treating osteoporosis. The study's findings may enable the development of drugs that promote bone formation without causing undesirable side effects.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 5, 2006