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Science News for July 5, 2007


Paracetamol overdoses drop without package size legislation

A Canadian study found that paracetamol overdose rates decreased significantly between 1995 and 2004, with a notable drop in hospitalizations among young women and Aboriginal populations. The lack of package size restrictions in Canada contributed to this decline, contrasting with the UK's successful implementation of smaller pack sizes.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJul 5, 2007

Engineered blood vessels function like native tissue

Researchers at University at Buffalo developed a method to isolate functional smooth muscle cells from bone marrow, which can be used in regenerative medicine for cardiovascular applications. The engineered blood vessels function similarly to native tissue, demonstrating potential as an alternative to venous grafts.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCardiovascular Research·DateJul 5, 2007

Tracing Parkinson's lethal mechanism

In mice and human patients, researchers found that crippling of protective enzyme Prx2 leads to death of dopamine-producing neurons in Parkinson's disease. Activating Prx2 prevents neuronal loss, suggesting it as a beneficial target for PD treatment.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJul 5, 2007

Protein's role in lipid absorption may be important to future weight-loss strategies

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have found that protein CD36 facilitates the uptake of fatty acids and cholesterol in the proximal part of the intestine. The team believes that targeting this process may provide a useful tool for obesity treatment, as animals without CD36 absorb fat less efficiently and eat less.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 5, 2007

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection

Several phase II and III trials investigate anti-retroviral drug combinations for pre-exposure prophylaxis among at-risk populations. The implementation of such a program requires careful planning and substantial resources to ensure access, minimize risk behavior, and prevent drug-resistant strains.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 5, 2007

Stopping the HIV pandemic in children

Early HIV testing for exposed infants can prevent infection before AIDS or death, allowing for prophylaxis or treatment implementation. Universal availability of prophylaxis or treatment is crucial, but poses challenges such as long-term toxic effects of anti-retroviral treatment.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 5, 2007

From the corner of the eye: Paying attention to attention

Researchers distinguish between two classes of brain cells with distinct roles in visual attention and highlight mechanisms by which they mediate attention. They found that neurons respond more strongly when attention is directed to the stimulus in their receptive fields, with narrow-spiking cells firing more frequently under attention.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJul 5, 2007

The new 'look' of superconductivity

Researchers at Ames Laboratory have observed two-dimensional equilibrium patterns in lead samples when in its superconducting state, below 7.2 Kelvin. These complex patterns differ from the long-held textbook model proposed by Lev Landau and represent a significant contribution to the field of superconductivity.

Do women really talk more than men?

A study published in Science debunks the popular stereotype that females use more words than men, revealing both sexes use an average of 16,000 words per day. The research used a digital voice recorder to track daily interactions over eight years and analyzed transcripts from nearly 400 university students.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2007

Holograms make for better vision tests

Researchers developed a one-step test using holograms to diagnose astigmatic error, a key factor in prescribing glasses. The new technique is simpler and faster than traditional methods, which involve multiple lenses and complex processes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJul 5, 2007

How pain distracts the brain

Researchers identified the lateral occipital complex as a region affected by both working memory load and pain, but found that pain influences visual processing through the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. This modulation affects accuracy in recognizing images.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJul 5, 2007

Chemical in brain acts like a fuel gauge

Researchers at USC have found that norepinephrine transmits a 'low blood sugar' message from the hindbrain to the paraventricular hypothalamus, triggering the release of energy stores to replace missing sugars. This discovery provides new insights into glucose sensing mechanisms in the brain and may hold potential for treating diabetic...

Challenges to development of an AIDS vaccine

HIV's uniformly fatal outcome and absence of natural immunity pose significant hurdles for vaccine design. The authors call for increased funding for research and clinical trials to address these challenges and accelerate progress in finding an effective AIDS vaccine.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 5, 2007

South Asian Scots have increased risk of heart attacks

A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that South Asian Scots are more likely to suffer a heart attack than the rest of the Scottish population. The research, which linked census data to hospital discharge records, revealed an 80% higher incidence of heart attacks among South Asian women and a 45% higher incidence among men.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJul 5, 2007

Birds take cues from their competitors

A new study reveals that female birds of two migrant flycatcher species can acquire a novel preference for nesting sites based on the apparent attraction of competing resident tits. This finding suggests that individual animals use information and make decisions, even from other species.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 5, 2007

Prion propagates in foreign host

Researchers have successfully propagated a prion from one organism into another, expanding our understanding of these infectious proteins and their role in fatal neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying prion propagation and highlights the need to search for additional prions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 5, 2007

Fossil DNA illuminates life

Researchers found genetic material from plants and insects in ancient ice cores, contradicting previous theories about southern Greenland's climate. The discovery provides evidence of forest cover and mild winters, dating back around 450,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2007

Study advances vCJD prion detection

Scientists have developed a method to amplify vCJD prions from human brain tissue extracts, enabling recognition by existing detection methods. This breakthrough could aid in confirming whether someone is infected with variant CJD, crucial for preventing further disease spread through infected blood donations.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Journal of Pathology·DateJul 5, 2007

Fame sells

A study by Erik Hunter and Per Davidsson found that celebrity involvement is key to a product's success compared to traditional endorsement marketing. Celebrity entrepreneurs add value to products, making them more appealing to consumers.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business·DateJul 5, 2007