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Science News for November 1, 2007


US faces burning emissions issue

Severe US wildfires can release as much CO2 as the entire transportation sector of a state, posing challenges for emissions tracking. The study found that fires in Western and Southeastern states account for a disproportionate share of carbon emissions.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCarbon Balance and Management·DateNov 1, 2007

New government, new hope for indigenous Australians?

The Lancet report highlights Australia's poor indigenous health statistics, including a 17-year gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Improving access to quality care, prevention strategies, and increasing the number of indigenous health workers are key recommendations.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 1, 2007

Substance abuse practitioners ask 'what is recovery?'

A panel of experts proposes a definition of recovery as a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship. The proposed definition includes classification of duration of sobriety and recognition of the importance of personal health and citizenship in achieving true recovery.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateNov 1, 2007

Weight loss -- not one size fits all

A study found that supervised exercise programs resulted in varying weight loss outcomes due to compensatory responses such as increased hunger and food intake. The research suggests that individual variability plays a crucial role in weight management, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to address differences in physiologic...

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateNov 1, 2007

Gambling on Russian economic forecasting

The Russian economy is experiencing rapid growth driven by a thriving middle class, but this has led to widening income disparities and growing poverty. Forecasting growth or recession beyond 2011 is hazardous, as the country faces challenges in increasing energy production and exports.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies·DateNov 1, 2007

The chemical peroxynitrite tolerates pain

Researchers found peroxynitrite plays a crucial role in opiate-induced antinociceptive tolerance in mice. Accumulation of tyrosine-nitrated proteins and oxidative DNA damage were associated with this process.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 1, 2007

Researchers developed a new mouse model to predict the loss of orally taken drugs due to metabolism by CYP3A, a key enzyme involved in first-pass metabolism. The study found that mice lacking functional CYP3A proteins accumulated docetaxol at higher levels, demonstrating the enzyme's role in intestinal metabolism.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

No racial differences seen in outcomes after liver transplantation

A recent study published in Hepatology found that minority patients do not have worse outcomes after liver transplantation when treated at high-volume academic medical centers. The study, led by W. Ray Kim, analyzed data from over 2,800 adult patients and found no relationship between recipient race and survival.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateNov 1, 2007

Time to supersize control efforts for obesity

The UK faces a growing obesity crisis with alarming statistics showing a 30-50% increase in obesity rates over the past decade. Experts call for a comprehensive approach to tackle the epidemic, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, and investing in meaningful interventions.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 1, 2007

Mice predict the effectiveness of orally taken drugs

Researchers developed a mouse model to predict the loss of orally administered drugs due to CYP3A metabolism. The study found that mice with human CYP3A expression in the intestine had higher docetaxol levels, while those with liver expression showed only slight decreases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

JGIM: studies show importance of language services on disparities, quality of care

New studies published in JGIM examine the consequences of language barriers for patients with limited English proficiency, finding measurable disparities in quality of care. Hospitals are often unable to obtain full informed consent from patients due to lack of professional interpreter services, while Hispanic patients are less likely ...

SourceThe Reis Group·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 1, 2007

Flying lemurs are the closest relatives of primates

A new study by Penn State University finds that colugos, also known as flying lemurs, are the closest living relatives of primates. The researchers used molecular and genomic data to analyze the evolutionary relationships among three groups: primates, colugos, and tree shrews.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateNov 1, 2007