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Science News for June 6, 2006


From theory to reality

Researchers at Kent State University develop negative index materials, rewriting the laws of optics and enabling super-resolution lenses, non-destructive optical tweezers, and more. The five-year project aims to create NIMs for visible light spectrum.

Green tea and the 'Asian Paradox'

Research suggests that green tea's polyphenolic EGCG offers protective effects against cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Regular green tea consumption has been linked to improved gastrointestinal function, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and potential tumor prevention.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 6, 2006

$1.7 million for Rutgers anti-HIV drug research

Rutgers University researcher John Sinko has received a $1.7 million NIH MERIT award to continue his research on nanotechnology-based, targeted drug delivery systems for treating HIV-infected cells. The funding will support the design, development, and testing of novel anti-HIV drug delivery systems.

HPV testing finds precancerous lesions at a higher rate than conventional pap smears

A randomized controlled trial found that HPV testing combined with liquid-based cytology increased sensitivity by 47% compared to conventional pap smears, but also led to a 60% increase in false positives. HPV testing alone showed a 40% increase in sensitivity and a smaller decrease in specificity.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 6, 2006

Breast-sparing surgery an option for women with breast cancer gene mutation, U-M-led study finds

A 10-year study by U-M researchers found that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations who underwent breast-conserving surgery and hormonal treatment had lower rates of breast cancer recurrence. Tamoxifen reduced the risk of same-breast recurrence by 58 percent, while oophorectomy lowered the risk even further.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 6, 2006

Other highlights in the June 7 JNCI

Researchers discovered that overexpressing a gene called uPA in mammary cancer cells can delay tumor progression and inhibit the formation of new blood vessels, leading to slower tumor growth. The study also suggests that uPA expression may have anti-cancer effects by reducing angiogenesis and proliferation.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 6, 2006