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Science News for September 28, 2007


Can racial health disparities be effectively reduced?

A systematic review of 200+ interventions aims to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, focusing on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and breast cancer. The study identifies promising strategies for promoting equitable health outcomes among communities of color.

SourceSAGE·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateSep 28, 2007

Mysterious energy burst stuns astronomers

Astronomers have detected a huge burst of radio energy from the distant universe, suggesting a new area of study in astrophysics. The burst was so bright that it saturated equipment and could be equivalent to a large power station running for two billion years.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateSep 28, 2007

Meditation therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients

A study found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy significantly improves psychological symptoms and well-being in RA patients, but has no impact on disease activity. After 6 months, the MBSR group achieved a 35% reduction in psychological distress.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateSep 28, 2007

New discovery may improve treatment of one of the world's leading causes of blindness

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a potential new therapy for uveitis, an inflammatory eye condition causing 5-15% of all cases of total blindness in the US. The treatment uses an aldose reductase inhibitor to reduce inflammation and is currently being tested in clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateSep 28, 2007