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Science News Archive 2008 - Page 72


Page 72 of 240

Warning over polyclinics and super-surgeries

Research at the University of Leicester finds that past experience with a particular GP and expectation of continuing care from the same GP are key predictors of patient trust. This suggests that planned changes to primary care delivery in the UK may negatively impact medical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateSep 22, 2008

MU researcher studies effectiveness of traditional and blended learning environments

A MU researcher found that while traditional and blended learning environments have few statistical differences in effectiveness, students in hybrid classrooms are more frequently confused about course requirements. The study suggests that motivation and technological ability play a major role in success in blended environments.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of allied health sciences·DateSep 22, 2008

Model highlights benefits and risks of cervical cancer screening methods

A computer model analysis suggests that different cervical cancer prevention approaches offer varying trade-offs between minimizing cancer risk and false-positive test results. Combined cytologic and HPV testing leads to more referrals for colposcopy than other strategies, with a three-fold difference in referrals for the least and mos...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 22, 2008

Pitt research indicates new virus is culprit, not bystander, in deadly skin cancer

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found that a virus, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), is the cause of Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. The virus infects normal cells before they turn into cancer cells, and its replication can lead to the death of cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2008

Climate change, human activity and wildfires

A new study by the University of Oregon suggests that climate change has been the main driver of global biomass burning for the past two millennia. Human activities such as land clearance and fire suppression during the industrial era also contributed to a significant decline in wildfires worldwide between 1870 and 1970.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 21, 2008

Primordial fish had rudimentary fingers

Researchers at Uppsala University used medical x-rays to find rudimentary fingers in the fins of Panderichthys, a transitional animal between fish and tetrapods. This discovery indicates that fingers evolved earlier than previously thought, contradicting the long-held theory that they emerged in tetrapods.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateSep 21, 2008

Cancer-causing gut bacteria exposed

A team of scientists has discovered that a molecule produced by a common gut bacterium activates signaling pathways associated with cancer cells. The research, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, sheds light on the way gut bacteria can cause colon cancer.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of Medical Microbiology·DateSep 21, 2008