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Science News Archive August 2007 - Page 8


Page 8 of 17

Girls prefer pink, or at least a redder shade of blue

Researchers discovered a clear preference for pink or reddish hues among women, shifting their color preference towards red and away from blue. The study suggests that this difference may be driven by biological factors, potentially related to evolution and the importance of ripe fruit in hunter-gatherer societies.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 20, 2007

Study: How Air Force women are handling the stress

A University of Michigan survey found that nearly half of Air Force women experience little to no impact from family separation on their work, but those with higher family-work conflict rates are more likely to suffer symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study aims to identify areas where interventions can reduce this source of stress.

Call for network to monitor Southern Ocean current

A call has been made for a Southern Hemisphere network of deep ocean moorings to monitor changes in the Southern Ocean circulation, which could influence global climate. The North Atlantic moored network provides measurements of the Gulf Stream, a significant feature in moderating European and North American climate.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2007

Loneliness is bad for your health

A study by Louise Hawkley and John Cacioppo found that loneliness accumulates over time and contributes to increased stress, chronic inflammation, and poorer sleep quality in older adults. The researchers also discovered that lonely individuals exhibit a heightened state of arousal and are less likely to seek help when stressed.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateAug 17, 2007

PFOS and PFOA exposure associated with lower birth weight and size

Exposure to PFOS and PFOA in utero is statistically associated with lower head circumference and body weight at birth, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analysis of nearly 300 umbilical cord blood samples. The study found no associations between these compounds and length or gestational age.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 17, 2007

Learning how to learn for exam success

A new study by the Economic and Social Research Council's Teaching and Learning Research Programme found that schools can be turned into places where students become independent learners. The project showed that teachers who receive proper professional development and support can help children take responsibility for their own learning.

Whiplash may produce delayed jaw pain

Researchers found that whiplash trauma increases the risk of developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms, which can be painful and affect daily life. In a study of 60 patients, 34% developed TMJ pain within a year after the accident, compared to 7% in uninjured controls.

SourceAmerican Dental Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateAug 16, 2007

Hypertension: Uncontrolled and taking over the world

The Lancet Editorial warns that hypertension's increasing burden will largely stem from poor lifestyles, with a staggering 90% risk of developing the condition in developed countries. Effective treatments exist, yet many patients misbelieve they can 'cure' hypertension and stop medication when their blood pressure falls.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 16, 2007

Celecoxib helps prevent restenosis and appears safe

A study published in The Lancet found that celecoxib can reduce the need for revascularisation of the target lesion by 35% after stent implantation, making it a promising adjunctive treatment for preventing restenosis. However, long-term use of celecoxib may expose patients to an increased risk of heart attack.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 16, 2007

Can cancer drugs combine forces?

Researchers suggest treating CML patients with a combination of imatinib and dasatinib to prevent BCR-ABL mutants that are resistant to both drugs. A study found that combining the two drugs can increase time before relapse or decrease chance of cancer return.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2007

Mother's little helpers

In a study on the superb fairy-wren, researchers found that mothers who receive child-care assistance from helpers produce smaller eggs with less nutritious yolks, allowing them to live longer and breed more often. This unique adaptation suggests that helper birds may play a crucial role in the survival of some bird species.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 2007

JCI table of contents: Aug. 16, 2007

Researchers investigating chronic myeloid leukemia treatment options suggest combining drugs to combat resistance, while others explore targeting prostaglandin E2 receptor EP1 for hypertension therapy. Additionally, a study reveals that Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 deficiency prevents abnormal blood vessel formation in the retina.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2007

Specific antagonism lowers blood pressure

Researchers identified EP1 as a key factor in blood pressure regulation and found that inhibiting it can reduce hypertension. Targeting this receptor subtype may be a viable approach to treating high blood pressure.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 16, 2007