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Science News Archive March 2006 - Page 14


Page 14 of 18

Think twice before exercising when getting that PET scan

A study in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology found that physical activity, even minor exercises like turning a page or shoveling snow, can impact PET scan results and lead to false positives. To minimize this effect, patients should avoid excessive muscle activity 48 hours before scanning and inform their technologist.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine Technology·DateMar 8, 2006

New target for obesity and related metabolic disorders

Researchers have identified a new target for obesity treatment by discovering a small molecule that activates the G protein-coupled receptor GPR119, leading to reduced food intake and weight gain in rats. The compound, PSN632408, also shows promise in improving lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 7, 2006

Fine particles increase hospital admissions for heart failure and cardiovascular disease

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that short-term exposure to fine particulate matter increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study estimated associations between day-to-day changes in hospital admission rates and fine particulate matter levels in 204 US urban counties.

Adaptation to oxygen deprivation elucidates tumor physiology

Researchers found that cells adapt to low oxygen conditions by inhibiting mitochondrial function and increasing the conversion of glucose to lactate. This active process, mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), helps protect tumor cells from death and may be targeted by cancer therapies.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 7, 2006

Experience backs early heart valve replacement

A study of 170 patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation found that those who underwent early surgery lived longer and had better health outcomes compared to those who waited. The results support current guidelines for treatment, which recommend surgery for asymptomatic and moderately symptomatic patients.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 7, 2006

Johns Hopkins scientists exploit novel route to reverse enlarged hearts in obese mice

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that injecting ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) into obese mice with leptin deficiency or resistance reduced their heart muscle walls by up to a third and the size of the left ventricle by 41%. This breakthrough suggests a novel brain-signaling pathway for obesity-related heart failure.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2006

A high-speed camera records turbulence

A research team led by Professor Eberhard Bodenschatz has experimentally tested two theories on how particles separate in strong turbulence. The results, which agree with George Batchelor's predictions but not the Richardson-Obukhov law, suggest that particles move more slowly away from each other than previously assumed.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateMar 6, 2006

Anemone genes reveal versatile building blocks for body plans

Researchers isolated genes from the starlet sea anemone to understand body-plan patterning. They found that two types of proteins encoded by these genes are expressed differently in anemones compared to bilateral animals like flies and frogs, suggesting an ancient function for this signaling system.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

New research shows bats have complex skills to deal with 'clutter'

Researchers discovered that bats employ sophisticated techniques to locate prey in cluttered environments, including adjusting the timing and frequency of their ultrasonic pulses. By analyzing high-speed camera footage and audio recordings, the team found that bats 'strobe' the air with sound to distinguish insects from background noise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 6, 2006