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Science News for December 6, 2007


Dam the Red Sea and release gigawatts

Damming the Red Sea could solve the region's growing energy demands and alleviate oil supply tensions through hydroelectric power. However, such a massive project may cause untold ecological harm and displace countless people from their homes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Energy Issues·DateDec 6, 2007

New direction for chance discovery?

The chance discovery field is shifting towards a new direction, focusing on interaction, visualization, and abduction to tackle complex problems and predict future trends. By analyzing implicit symptoms in data, researchers aim to identify risks and benefits, enabling better decision-making.

SourceIOS Press·JournalInternational Journal of Knowledge-based and Intelligent Engineering Systems·DateDec 6, 2007

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 6, 2007

Researchers have identified immunomodulatory anticancer drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide as effective therapies for inducing fetal hemoglobin production in sickle-cell disease patients. Additionally, a new compound has been discovered to treat protein-losing enteropathy, a condition causing excessive protein loss from the gut.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 6, 2007

Strawberry fields ripe for the picking

Researchers compared three strawberry production systems to determine consumer preference, finding that cold-climate plasticulture and advanced matted row systems were most popular. Consumers were willing to pay more for fresh berries from their preferred system, with quality characteristics like firmness differing among the production...

Making emergency artery repair safer

Catheters equipped with balloons, lasers, and miniature drills can treat tears in arteries, improving safety for emergency repairs. The technology has reduced the risk of life-threatening bleeding from vessel punctures during angioplasty procedures.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Interventional Cardiology·DateDec 6, 2007

Patients need to know that nuclear medicine procedures can trigger radiation alarms

A study highlights the need for improved patient information and counseling on nuclear medicine procedures, which can trigger radiation alarms in public places. Healthcare professionals, especially those in outpatient facilities, require formal training and standardization of instructions to ensure patient safety.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateDec 6, 2007

A new approach to study flu drug resistance

Researchers developed a new method to assess the danger of flu drug resistance emergence, combining human infection data with a mathematical framework. The study found that immune response plays a crucial role in determining the likelihood of resistant infections spreading.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 6, 2007

PET and bioluminescent imaging aid evaluation of stem cells' potential for new ways to treat disease

Researchers used PET imaging and bioluminescence to track stem cell behavior in small animal models, determining their fate and potential applications in treating heart diseases, brain disorders, and cancer. The unique combination of these imaging techniques offers a reliable method for labeling stem cells.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateDec 6, 2007

Caffeine cream tones thighs

A Brazilian study found that a 7 percent caffeine solution cream reduced thigh circumference by over 80% and hip measurements by nearly 68%. However, the effect on cellulite was less clear, with imaging showing little change. The researchers speculate that the trial may not have been long enough for the cream to act on cellulite.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology·DateDec 6, 2007