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Science News Archive May 2007 - Page 10


Page 10 of 20

How will responders respond?

Healthcare workers' perceptions of their role in disaster response and safety concerns significantly impact their willingness to report to work. Hospital crisis planners must address these factors to ensure adequate staffing during disasters.

Africa's doctors' access assessed

Despite challenges such as password issues and internet outages, African postgraduate doctors are making regular use of online medical literature. Textbooks remain a central source of information for many, but 66% have used the Internet for health information in the last week.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateMay 16, 2007

Fingerprint instead of blood sample

Researchers have successfully used specific antibodies to differentiate between fingerprints of smokers and nonsmokers, detecting cotinine metabolite in sweat. This technique could be used for forensic applications, doping detection, medical diagnostics, and drug screening without taking blood samples.

SourceWiley·DateMay 16, 2007

Award-winning staffer honored by peers

Laura Wade, associate director at the Texas Center for Superconductivity, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of University Research Administrators. Her colleagues praised her commitment to the profession, citing her tireless efforts in grant proposals and educational workshops.

Exposure to mercury preservatives before birth is no higher in children with autism

A recent study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found no association between Rh immune globulin preserved with thimerosal and an increased risk of autism. Researchers investigated the exposure to thimerosal during pregnancies resulting in children diagnosed with autism and found no correlation.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateMay 16, 2007

Decoding protein structures helps illuminate cause of diabetes

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a powerful analytical tool capable of measuring molecular structures quickly and accurately, capturing intermediate steps of protein folding and revealing clues to type II diabetes. The technique uses two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy and has potential applications in...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2007

Violent sleep disorder linked to a form of dementia

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered a correlation between violent rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and eventual onset of parkinsonism or dementia. Patients with the disorder may be exhibiting early signs of an evolving neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal synuclein protein clumps.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalBrain·DateMay 16, 2007

Hives ferment a yeasty brew, attract beetle pest

Researchers found that small hive beetles can detect some alarm pheromones at levels below those detected by honeybees. The beetles associate the alarm chemicals with a good food source and head for the hive. Domesticated European honeybees are not as diligent in cleaning their hives, making them more susceptible to infestation.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2007

Better health twice as likely for nonsmokers who live and work with smoking restrictions

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that household smoking restrictions are more strongly associated with better health status than workplace restrictions. Nonsmokers living in households and workplaces with comprehensive smoking bans report improved health, while those without such protections do not.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateMay 16, 2007

Exposure to mercury preservatives before birth is no higher in children with autism

A recent study published in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A found no causal link between Rh immune globulin (preserved with thimerosal) exposure before birth and the development of autism. The study included over 200 mothers of children diagnosed with autism, revealing that Rh negative status and pregnancies with thimerosal...

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateMay 16, 2007

Peanut allergies overstated, study finds

A recent study by researchers at the University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital found that a third of children with a predicted peanut allergy were not allergic when challenged with peanuts. This suggests that diagnostic tests for peanut allergy may have poor sensitivity and specificity.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology·DateMay 15, 2007

'Nondanger' signal lowers immune reactions

Researchers have identified a well-known cell receptor that sends a 'nondanger' signal to dampen the immune system. This discovery raises the possibility of targeting this receptor to prevent overzealous immune responses in transplant patients and alleviate symptoms of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateMay 15, 2007

JDRF announces 2007 Scholar Award recipients

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced the 2007 Scholar Award recipients, providing $250,000 annually for up to five years to support groundbreaking research. The selected researchers aim to accelerate type 1 diabetes research and find a cure for this devastating disease.

SourceJDRF·DateMay 15, 2007

NMR advance relies on microscopic detector

A new highly sensitive NMR technique using a microscopic detector decreases protein sample size by several orders of magnitude, making it possible to diagnose diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's at an early stage. The technology could lead to the development of tabletop NMR devices in every research laboratory and medical office.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2007

Saliva clue to chronic bullying

Researchers found that chronically bullied kids have lower cortisol levels, linked to anxiety and stress. The study suggests a biological marker for early recognition and intervention of long-term psychological effects on youth.