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Science News Archive March 2006 - Page 4


Page 4 of 18

Rice bioengineers pioneer techniques for knee repair

Researchers at Rice University have developed a self-assembly method to grow dime-sized disks of cartilage with properties approaching native tissue. The technique uses only donor cells, eliminating rejection risks, and has been refined to produce virtually identical cartilage in terms of mechanical and biochemical makeup.

SourceRice University·JournalTissue Engineering·DateMar 27, 2006

Should we ban consumer drug ads? - Press release from PLoS Medicine

Authors debate the benefits and harms of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. Some argue it can promote underused, life-saving medications, while others claim it raises patients' expectations, increases the quality of care, but also delivers flawed information that may lead to premature adoption of new drugs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 27, 2006

Penn study shows smokers assume false sense of safety from ads for low nicotine Quest® cigarettes

A recent study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that nearly half of smokers made false assumptions about the tar content of Quest cigarettes, a low-nicotine brand. Smokers who felt less vulnerable to health effects and didn't think critically also made more false inferences about the potential harms.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateMar 24, 2006

Tastier tomatoes in the future?

Scientists have identified specific DNA fragments in tomatoes that influence their nutritional content and taste. By analyzing these fragments, researchers can develop targeted breeding strategies to create healthier and tastier tomatoes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 24, 2006

The Nice Manifesto

The Nice Manifesto outlines seven key goals to improve breast cancer care in Europe, including increasing screening programs, supporting research, and expanding breast unit accreditation. The manifesto represents a promise to improve breast cancer care for all patients across Europe.

Cedars-Sinai researchers discover treatment for deadly brain tumors and infections

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel gene therapy strategy that modifies the brain microenvironment to induce an effective immune response against deadly brain tumors and infections. The treatment uses Flt3 Ligand to recruit antigen-presenting cells, which can destroy tumors and combat brain infections.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateMar 24, 2006

Too much or too little sleep increases diabetes risk

Research published in Diabetes Care found that men who slept between five and six hours per night were twice as likely to develop diabetes. Long sleep duration, on the other hand, increased the risk by three times. The study also highlights the importance of finding mechanisms by which long sleep duration contributes to diabetes risk.

SourceYale University·JournalDiabetes Care·DateMar 24, 2006

Self-esteem falters among Chinese teens

A recent USC study found that Chinese teens who perceive themselves as overweight, even if they are normal or underweight, are at a higher risk for depression and school-related stress. Girls in the study reported lower grade point averages when they felt overweight, while boys exhibited more aggressive behavior.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateMar 24, 2006

Vol. 42, No. 5 JRRD tipsheet: Focus on spinal cord injury and prosthetics

Researchers have made significant advancements in managing chronic pain in spinal cord injury patients. Studies show that specific pain patterns are stable over time, while others can be improved through treatment. Additionally, virtual reality systems have been shown to provide natural movement control and flexibility for balance trai...

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalThe Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development·DateMar 24, 2006

Purdue project could help pets serve as disease watchdogs

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a national surveillance network using pet medical records to predict disease outbreaks in humans and animals. The program found correlations between flea and tick infestations and Lyme disease, as well as an increase in canine leptospirosis cases over the past decade.

SourcePurdue University·JournalVector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·DateMar 24, 2006

Wasabi's kick linked to single pain receptor

Researchers identified TRPA1 as a key pain receptor underlying the response to environmental irritants like tear gas and mustard oil. Mice lacking this receptor were found to be insensitive to pain caused by these compounds, offering new hope for developing effective pain medications.

SourceYale University·JournalCell·DateMar 24, 2006