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Science News Archive 2008 - Page 76


Page 76 of 240

Sowing a future for peas

Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to analyze pea plant leaves under drought stress, revealing key metabolites that increase in response. The findings could lead to the development of pea varieties more resistant to water scarcity, affecting global food production.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalMetabolomics·DateSep 16, 2008

Blood pressure drug combination reduces heart attack deaths

Researchers found that combining a thiazide diuretic with a potassium-sparing drug reduced both sudden cardiac death and total coronary mortality in elderly patients with hypertension. The study's findings challenge the current U.S. hypertension treatment guidelines, which recommend using a thiazide diuretic alone as initial therapy.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Society of Hypertension·DateSep 16, 2008

Burnham researcher awarded $8 million grant

Stuart A. Lipton will lead a center studying potential environmental causes of Parkinson's disease, examining chemical reactions that alter protein function and screening compounds to prevent disease progression. The center represents a collaborative effort between scientists at Burnham and other institutions.

Coating improves electrical stimulation therapy used for Parkinson's, depression, chronic pain

A new coating made from carbon nanotubes improves the signals received and transmitted by electrodes, potentially advancing electrical nerve stimulation therapy. The coating bolsters both stimulation and receptive capabilities, showing promise in treating diseases such as epilepsy, depression, and chronic leg and back pain.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 16, 2008

Joining forces against cancer

Multidisciplinary approaches combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have shown promise in treating various cancers, including lung and head and neck cancers. The addition of targeted therapies like pazopanib and cetuximab has demonstrated significant activity in reducing tumor size and improving patient outcomes.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateSep 16, 2008

From Xbox to T-cells: Michigan Tech researchers borrow video game technology to model human biology

A team of Michigan Tech researchers is harnessing video game technology to model complex biological systems, such as the human immune response to tuberculosis. Using GPUs, they have created a powerful new tool for medical research, allowing for faster and more efficient simulations of diseases like sepsis.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalJournal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering·DateSep 16, 2008

NIEHS invests $21.25 million to find environmental causes of Parkinson's disease

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is awarding three new grants to investigate the role of environmental factors in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The research will focus on identifying mechanisms that link pesticide exposure, mitochondrial damage, and altered dopamine storage to the dev...

Migraine linked to blood clots in veins

A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with migraines are more likely to develop venous thrombosis or blood clots in their veins. The research, which involved 574 participants in Italy, revealed a significant association between migraine and increased risk of blood clots.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateSep 15, 2008

Genetic profile reveals susceptibility to cleft palate

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine have identified a series of genetic mutations associated with significant risk for cleft palate and other dental abnormalities. The study, published in Genetics in Medicine, analyzed DNA sequences from over 500 individuals and found more than a dozen gene mutations...

Common bronchodilator linked to increased deaths

A new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that ipratropium increases the risk of heart attack or arrhythmia by 34% compared to albuterol or no treatment. The study suggests that the medication may have a systemic cardiovascular effect, increasing mortality risk in COPD patients.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 15, 2008

The language of luxury: Advertisers' language choices evoke different reactions

A new study reveals that multinational companies should advertise luxury goods in English, while necessities may be more effective in local languages. Multinational corporations marketing to bilingual populations must pay attention to language choices, as perceptions of ads change significantly with different languages.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 15, 2008