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Science News for January 15, 2007


Low-dose aspirin offers lower chance of asthma

A large randomized controlled trial found that taking low-dose aspirin every other day can reduce the risk of newly diagnosed adult-onset asthma by 22 percent. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, involved over 22,000 healthy male physicians aged 40 to 84 years.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Should HIV-positive mothers breastfeed?

A new study suggests that HIV-positive mothers who receive adequate support can safely breastfeed either formula or short-term breastfeeding without compromising their infant's chances for survival and health. The research highlights the importance of providing comprehensive care to these mothers, enabling them to make informed decisio...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Webb scope looks out of this world

The James Webb Space Telescope will enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. The telescope will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.

SourceSpringer·JournalSpace Science Reviews·DateJan 15, 2007

Patients with amnesia 'live in the present'

Patients with hippocampal damage experience severe impairments in imagining new experiences and planning for the future. They struggle to visualize complex scenarios, instead seeing fragmented images. Researchers suggest a common brain mechanism underlying memory recall and imaginative thinking may be affected.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2007

Outcomes comparable for younger and older children with surgically implanted hearing aids

A recent study published in Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that outcomes following surgically implanted bone-anchored hearing aids are comparable for children younger than 5 years and those older than 5 years. Early and consistent stimulation of the cochlea is critical to a child's development of speech and language.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJan 15, 2007

Combination therapy reduces exacerbations in severe COPD

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that combining a long-acting bronchodilator with an inhaled corticosteroid reduced exacerbations by 35% in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The treatment was well-tolerated, but raised concerns about potential sys...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

New proteomic method to detect inflammation in amniotic fluid

Researchers developed a score based on protein markers to predict inflammation in amniotic fluid, associated with preterm delivery and infant sepsis. The 'Mass Restricted' (MR) score showed promise in identifying women at risk of preterm birth and babies with suspected or confirmed sepsis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Producing medicines in plant seeds

Researchers have successfully produced proteins that resemble antibodies in plant seeds, demonstrating their potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The antibody variants are just as active as whole antibodies and can be used in medical applications, with advantages including high production capacity and timely processing.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2007

Why are lions not as big as elephants?

Carnivores can only sustain body mass up to one ton due to energy intake and expenditure limitations. This explains why large predators like lions and modern-day polar bears are relatively small compared to extinct herbivorous mammals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 15, 2007