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Science News Archive April 2007 - Page 13


Page 13 of 17

Pitt study notes decline in male births in the US and Japan

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reports a significant decline in the number of male births in the US and Japan over the past three decades. The researchers found that the decline is equivalent to 135,000 fewer white males in the US and 127,000 fewer males in Japan, with environmental factors such as prenatal expo...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 9, 2007

Mouse FH knockout resembles human renal cell cancer

A mouse model has been developed to study the relationship between hypoxia and cancer progression in renal cell cancer. The researchers observed that Fh1-deficient mice developed clonal and proliferative renal cysts with characteristic overexpression of HIF, leading to renal failure.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 9, 2007

Tropical forests -- Earth's air conditioner

New study suggests tropical forests are efficient at cooling the planet due to their ability to store large amounts of carbon and produce reflective clouds. In contrast, forests in snowy areas can warm the Earth by absorbing sunlight that would otherwise be reflected back into space.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 9, 2007

Mouse model advances understanding of synovial sarcoma

Scientists have developed a mouse model for synovial sarcoma, revealing that the tumor arises from skeletal muscle precursor cells called myoblasts. The study also showed that expression of a chimeric fusion protein called SYT-SSX in these cells is sufficient to induce synovial sarcoma with 100% penetrance.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 9, 2007

Researchers move closer to switching nuclear isomer decay on and off

Livermore researchers have made the most accurate measurement of a nuclear isomer's excitation energy, a crucial step towards controlling its decay. This breakthrough could enable the use of isomers as high-energy density storage systems like batteries, and has implications for quantum computing, general relativity testing, and more.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 6, 2007

Drug used to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child damages DNA

Recent studies have found that the antiretroviral drug AZT causes genetic damage that may increase future cancer risk. Animal studies demonstrated increased rates of tumors and gene changes associated with human cancer, while human studies observed mutations and chromosomal damage in newborns exposed to NRTIs in utero.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental and Molecular Mutagenesis·DateApr 6, 2007

Combined imaging approach may provide better identification of difficult-to-diagnose brain clots

A combined imaging approach that combines standard MRI scans with specialized contrast-enhanced techniques may provide more effective diagnoses in patients with difficult-to-detect blood clots in veins of the brain. This approach could lead to better understanding of the disease process and potentially alter treatment regimens.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology·DateApr 6, 2007

Networking around the clock

A Brandeis University study shows that the circadian neuronal network in fruit flies functions as a dynamic system that enables insects to adjust their behavior according to seasonal changes. The researchers discovered that two groups of neurons, morning cells and evening cells, alternate as master clocks depending on day length and se...

SourceBrandeis University·JournalCell·DateApr 5, 2007

Statins linked to lower risk of infection

Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that statins significantly reduce the risk of sepsis in patients undergoing kidney dialysis. The study, published in JAMA, followed 1041 patients for 10 years and found a 41-case risk in the statin group compared to 110 cases in the non-statin group.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateApr 5, 2007

Scientists decode genome of oral pathogen

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have decoded the genome of Streptococcus sanguinis, a bacteria normally present in healthy human mouths that can cause deadly heart infections. The findings provide unique insight into its complex life cycle, metabolism, and ability to invade host tissues.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateApr 5, 2007

More flight than fancy?

Females may be more astute at choosing a mate, favoring mates with longer tails that signal aerodynamic abilities rather than attractive ornaments. Tail length is linked to natural selection, not sexual selection.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 5, 2007

Jefferson immunology researchers show blood-brain barrier damage could affect MS severity

Immunology researchers at Jefferson University have found that blood-brain barrier damage correlates with multiple sclerosis (MS) severity. The study used mice models and found that permeability changes are critical in disease development, with even mice lacking immune system components able to develop disease.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2007

Tumors stopped from spreading to new sites

Researchers found that TGF-beta inhibitors can block lung metastases in breast cancer mice treated with radiation or doxorubicin. Monitoring TGF-beta levels could identify at-risk patients for metastatic cancer progression.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 5, 2007