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Science News Archive 2007 - Page 20


Page 20 of 203

Smoking and depression often co-occur in new mothers

A study by Temple University researcher Dr. Robert Whitaker found that smoking and depression often co-occur in new mothers, affecting the health of their children. The combination may lead to sudden infant death, asthma, ear infections, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, behavior problems, language delay, and childhood depression.

SourceTemple University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateNov 26, 2007

For treating malaria, less drugs may be best drugs

Using fewer drugs in treating malaria could help slow the spread of drug resistance, making patients just as healthy. Longer treatment periods increase resistant parasite numbers, which can lead to shorter lifespan of antimalarial drugs.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2007

Brilliant perspectives

PETRA III will be one of the world's leading sources for short-wavelength X-rays, enabling innovative research in medicine, materials science, and molecular biology. The new facility will feature 14 experimental stations and a unique combination of light sources, attracting scientists from Germany and abroad.

AMPATH: Restoring lives not just immune systems

The AMPATH program, a comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS care, has made an ongoing difference in large numbers of individuals and communities. By addressing medical care, nutritional sufficiency, and economic security, AMPATH has improved the lives of over 52,000 HIV-positive people in western Kenya.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 26, 2007

The good and bad of medical research

The Lancet's Editor Dr. Richard Horton emphasizes the significance of non-experimental research in medicine, citing examples of reliable causal inferences and notable errors. He stresses the need for rigorous scientific practice, communication, and replication to ensure credibility and inform policymaking.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 26, 2007

Accuracy of past hurricane counts good

A statistical model based on climate factors indicates that the estimated undercount of historic tropical storms in the Atlantic is only slightly below actual numbers. The researchers found that the average undercount bias from 1870 to 1944 was approximately one tropical storm per year.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 26, 2007

The proof is in the tree bark

A study by Indiana University researchers found Dechlorane Plus, a chlorinated flame retardant, in tree bark across the northeastern US, with highest concentrations near the Niagara Falls factory. Tree bark can serve as a natural passive sampling device to detect airborne chemicals.

SourceIndiana University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 26, 2007

Bear hunting altered genetics more than Ice Age isolation

A recent study published in Molecular Ecology reveals that the genetic distribution of brown bears was not solely determined by Ice Age isolation. Instead, human hunting and land use have had a significant impact on their genetics, allowing them to survive and thrive in central Europe during the coldest periods. This new understanding ...

SourceUppsala University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateNov 23, 2007

Rebuilding the evolutionary history of HIV-1 unravels a complex loop

Researchers have developed a new method to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the HIV-1 V3 loop, revealing biologically dependent amino acids that form 'co-evolving' ties across the protein. This study advances understanding of HIV-1 evolution and identifies potential targets for future research.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 23, 2007

Self-sabotage

A study by Dr. Jason Plaks and Kristin Stecher found that individuals with a fixed view of their abilities become anxious and disoriented upon achieving dramatic success, leading to poor performance, whereas those with a malleable view perform better under similar circumstances.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 22, 2007

Liquid crystal phases of tiny DNA molecules point up new scenario for first life on Earth

Researchers at CU-Boulder and University of Milan found that short segments of DNA can assemble into liquid crystal phases with 'self-orient' properties, paving the way for a new scenario on the origin of life. The discovery was made by observing how short DNA segments could condense into droplets in which conditions are favorable for ...

Australia's health at crossroads

The Australian health system is facing significant challenges, including inadequate funding and poor access to care for Indigenous populations. The Editorial argues that a substantial reform program is needed to achieve better health outcomes for all, building on Labor's vision for New Directions in Australian Health.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 22, 2007

Older filters, fresher water

Researchers found that older sand filters with established biofilms effectively remove geosmin and MIB, reducing the earthy taste in tap water. The study suggests using biologically active sand filters can improve water purification, making water safer for consumption.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environment and Waste Management·DateNov 22, 2007

Calling for research into deafness

Research funding into deafness in the UK is only a fraction of the estimated £13.5 billion in productivity losses due to hearing impairment. The Lancet Editorial highlights the need for further interventions to prevent or reverse hearing damage and improve quality of life for those affected.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 22, 2007

Repeating genes

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have proposed a mechanism that explains the precision of trinucleotide repeat diseases like Huntington's. They suggest that the genes carrying the disease code accumulate more DNA repeats over time until a critical threshold is crossed.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 22, 2007