Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2006 - Page 12


Page 12 of 17

Daily weighing and quick action keeps pounds off

A new study by The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School found that daily weighing and taking quick action when needed can significantly help dieters maintain weight loss. Participants who weighed themselves daily had an 82% reduction in the odds of regaining five or more pounds compared to those who did not weigh daily.

SourceLifespan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 11, 2006

AGU journal highlights -- Oct. 11, 2006

Researchers found a connection between Antarctic ice sheet mass balance and weather systems worldwide, suggesting that storms in the Pacific Ocean may influence calving and iceberg breakup. This discovery provides new insights into past climate shifts and potential mechanisms linking global climate and weather patterns.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 11, 2006

Adult survivors of childhood cancer face long-term health problems, says co-author of national study

A large multicenter study found that adult survivors of childhood cancer are more than three times as likely to have chronic health conditions and eight times as likely to experience severe or life-threatening conditions. Long-term survivors were particularly vulnerable to second cancers, heart conditions, and endocrine abnormalities.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 11, 2006

Bad blood between boys and girls

Research by S. Kankova and colleagues found that Toxoplasma positive mothers give birth to more boys than negative women, with a probability of up to 72 boys in every 100 children born. The increased survival of male embryos may be attributed to the parasite's modulating effects on the immune system.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateOct 11, 2006

Tipsheet: Focus on gait training, pain relief, pressure ulcers and hearing aid training

Researchers highlight the importance of understanding risk factors for heel ulcers, which are often linked to peripheral neuropathy and diminished vascular function. Additionally, studies demonstrate the effectiveness of lateral-wedge insoles in relieving pain and stiffness in people with knee osteoarthritis. The study also explores th...

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalThe Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development·DateOct 11, 2006

Nanoparticle assembly enters the fast lane

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered a way to control the assembly of gold nanoparticles using rigid, double-stranded DNA, which can lead to more efficient energy generation and data storage. The technique takes advantage of DNA's natural tendency to pair up components, allowing for more efficient assembly.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 11, 2006

Telemedicine robots help improve health

Researchers are using a robot named Eliza to provide specialist medical care to children in rural areas via video-link consultations with Brisbane specialists. The robot project aims to deliver high-quality clinical care and professional support to regional health staff.

Dust may dampen hurricane fury

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found a link between dust storms and hurricane frequency in Atlantic, suggesting that dust may help suppress brewing hurricanes. The study suggests that long-term changes in hurricanes may be related to multiple factors.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 10, 2006

Psoriasis associated with increased risk for heart attack

A study published in JAMA Network found that adults with psoriasis, particularly those with severe forms of the condition, are at a higher risk for heart attacks. The research also revealed that younger patients with severe psoriasis have a significantly increased relative risk compared to other major cardiac risk factors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 10, 2006

Key to lung cancer chemo resistance revealed

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that lung cancer cells exploit the NRF2 gene to detoxify chemicals, including chemotherapy agents, rendering them ineffective. This discovery may lead to new treatment strategies by blocking NRF2 activity, potentially improving standard chemotherapy drug efficacy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 10, 2006

HIV gets a makeover

Researchers at Rockefeller University developed a modified HIV virus that can infect both human and monkey cells, paving the way for more effective vaccine testing. By manipulating key proteins, they created a 'simian tropic HIV' (stHIV) that replicates vigorously in primate cells.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateOct 10, 2006