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Science News Archive December 2007 - Page 15


Page 15 of 16

New ramelteon data presented at AARC

A new study presented at AARC found that ramelteon did not exacerbate respiratory depressant effects in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study showed significant increases in total sleep time and sleep efficiency with ramelteon compared to placebo.

Exercising our immune system

Research finds that elite rowers show a significant reduction in lactoferrin concentration after five months of sedentary lifestyle, but experience an increase in salivary proteins following moderate and high-intensity exercise. This study aims to test the effectiveness of nutritional interventions on the immune system.

'Mini-transplant' patients' outcomes similar using related and unrelated donor cells

Researchers found that nonmyeloablative stem-cell transplant patients have similar outcomes regardless of whether they receive related or unrelated donor cells, with no significant differences in mortality rates. The study suggests that the combination of immunosuppressive drugs and mini-transplant biology may be responsible for the co...

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalBiology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation·DateDec 3, 2007

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 3, 2007

Researchers at Karolinska Institute have identified a new source of dopamine cells that provided marked benefit when transplanted into mice with Parkinson's-like disease. Wnt5a-treated neural stem cells may be an efficient and safe source for DA cell replacement therapy in individuals with PD.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

New map outlines risk of zebra mussel invasion

A new study suggests that nearly 60% of the US is at high risk for zebra mussel invasion due to low calcium levels in streams and lakes. The invasive species could spread rapidly through connecting waterways and recreational boating, causing millions of dollars in damage and ecological harm.

SourceOregon State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateDec 3, 2007

MIT sculpts 3-D particles with light

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create three-dimensional microparticles using ultraviolet light, offering unprecedented control over size, shape, and texture. The particles can be designed with specific chemical properties, such as porosity, making them suitable for use in medical diagnostics and tissue engineering.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 3, 2007

JCI table of contents: Dec. 3, 2007

A new study published in JCI Journal has found that CP-31398, a compound that binds to mutant forms of the p53 protein, can prevent and treat UV light–induced skin cancers in mice. The study also demonstrated that CP-31398 increased p53 function in human skin cancer cells expressing a mutant form of p53.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

CU-Boulder technology used to identify unexpected bacteria in cystic fibrosis patients

A CU-Boulder technology has been used to identify unexpected bacteria strains in the lung fluid of Denver children suffering from cystic fibrosis. The method uses nucleic acid gene sequencing to rapidly detect and classify pathogens found in the lungs, identifying over 60 species of bacteria in samples from 28 patients.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2007

Promising approach to a more effective sunscreen

Researchers discovered a promising new agent, CP-31398, that restores mutant p53 tumor suppressor function and inhibits skin cancer growth in mice exposed to UVB light. The findings suggest potential for this approach as a sunscreen component for preventing and treating UV light-induced skin cancers.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Replacing the cells lost in Parkinson disease

Researchers have discovered a novel method to produce dopamine cells for Parkinson's disease treatment by cultivating ventral midbrain neural stem cells with Wnt5a. This approach yielded substantial recovery in mice with PD-like disease, without tumor development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Modifying an anti-cancer drug makes it more specific

Researchers at Rice University have engineered a modified form of the anti-cancer drug imatinib, known as WBZ_4, which targets specific cancer-causing proteins without affecting normal bodily functions. This new compound shows promise in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with reduced risk of heart toxicity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Internists diagnose health-care system ills, show how to achieve universal coverage

The American College of Physicians proposes a pluralistic system with government and private organizations ensuring universal access, or a single-payer system with lower administrative costs. The organization also recommends improving patient care coordination, disease prevention, and reducing healthcare administration costs.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 3, 2007