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Science News for May 22, 2007


More pounds equals worse asthma?

A new study published by the American Thoracic Society found that obese adults are more likely to experience persistent or severe asthma compared to their thinner counterparts. The study analyzed data from 3,059 adults with asthma and found a significant association between obesity and increased risk of asthma severity.

Scientific breakthrough for naprapathy

A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows naprapathy to be more effective in reducing back and neck pain, with 57% of patients reporting significant improvement after 12 weeks. The therapy combines manual manipulation and muscle treatments, offering a potential alternative to conventional medical advice.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalClinical Journal of Pain·DateMay 22, 2007

A new wrinkle in evolution -- man-made proteins

Researchers at Arizona State University have evolved new proteins in a fraction of the time it took nature, providing new lessons on how to optimize proteins. The team used 'synthetic evolution' to improve protein stability and binding efficiency, discovering that subtle amino acid changes can significantly enhance function.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 22, 2007

Tropical birds have slow pace of life compared to northern species, study finds

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tropical birds expend less energy at rest compared to northern bird species. The researchers measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) and peak metabolic rate (PMR) in 69 species of tropical birds, finding they used about 18% less energy than temperate birds.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2007

Does the Internet promote or prevent 'Islamophobia'?

The journal Contemporary Islam: Dynamics of Muslim Life discusses the impact of the internet on Islamophobia, including the spread of anti-Islamic opinions and the use of new technologies to combat it. The first issue explores topics such as re-imagining Islam through recent global events and personal autonomy of women in Morocco.

SourceSpringer·JournalContemporary Islam·DateMay 22, 2007

Finger length helps predict elementary exam results, study shows

A new study found that a child's finger length can predict their performance in numeracy and literacy tests. The researchers discovered that a higher digit ratio, indicating greater prenatal testosterone exposure, is associated with stronger numeracy skills. In contrast, a lower digit ratio is linked to higher literacy scores for girls.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·DateMay 22, 2007

Stem cells provide clues to cancer spread

Researchers used embryonic stem cells to investigate how some tumours migrate to other parts of the body, making treatment more difficult. They found that a crucial change in cell behavior, known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, allows cancer cells to move and spread.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateMay 22, 2007

Diagnostic tests for malaria underused in Zambia

A study found that diagnostic tests for malaria are often underused in Zambia, resulting in patients being prescribed antimalarial medications despite negative test results. The use of rapid antigen-detection diagnostic tests (RDTs) is proposed as a cost-effective approach to reduce overtreatment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 22, 2007