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Science News for December 9, 2008


Statin warning for pregnant women

New research from the University of Manchester has shown that even water-soluble statins can affect placental development, leading to worse pregnancy outcomes. Current guidelines recommend avoiding statins during pregnancy due to their potential risks, and this study supports these recommendations.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine·DateDec 9, 2008

Asthma: Commonly used medication shows no clear benefits in children

A new study concludes that long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) offer no additional benefit to conventional preventative medications in children. LABAs, such as salmeterol and formoterol, can improve lung function but do not reduce asthma symptoms or hospital admissions.

SourceWiley·JournalEvidence-Based Child Health A Cochrane Review Journal·DateDec 9, 2008

Developing countries lack means to acquire more efficient technologies

A new study by NCAR and University of Colorado warns that developing countries will struggle to afford and implement efficient technologies, exacerbating global warming. The research suggests that even advanced nations are worsening the outlook for global warming due to increasing emissions.

Boy-girl bullying in middle grades more common than previously thought

Research by Philip Rodkin reveals that unpopular boys are more likely to bully popular girls, challenging the classic 'whipping boy' syndrome. The study found that both bullies and victims are highly disliked by their peers, highlighting the need for educators to take reports of harassment from popular girls seriously.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development·DateDec 9, 2008

SMU chemist wins NSF early career award

SMU chemist Brent Sumerlin has received a $475,000 NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award for two related nanotechnology research projects. His work focuses on developing novel materials with composite properties, including automatic insulin release technology for diabetics and self-repairing coatings for airplane wings.

When it's more than the 'terrible twos'

Researchers estimate RASD affects 25-30% of children with an autistic disorder. Children with RASD typically develop normally until 18-24 months, then regress and lose previously acquired skills. Identifying early signs is crucial to address potential neurological development issues.

SourceTemple University·JournalNeuropsychology Review·DateDec 9, 2008

Flora not flourishing in world's hotspots

Researchers at the University of Calgary found that tropical regions have higher risks of plant extinction than previously thought. The study analyzed worldwide databases and discovered that factors like latitude are more important in determining the number of threatened species than human activities.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 9, 2008

Pine bark reduces inflammatory marker CRP in osteoarthritis

A recent study published in Redox Report reveals that Pycnogenol significantly lowers plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in osteoarthritis patients. This finding suggests that Pycnogenol's anti-inflammatory potency may be potent enough to arrest the spread of inflammation from osteoarthritic joints to the whole organism.

SourceMWW Group·JournalRedox Report·DateDec 9, 2008

People in the US and the UK show strong similarities in their attitudes toward nanotechnologies

A new US-UK study reveals that people in both countries hold positive views of nanotechnologies, with a focus on energy applications. The research found that participants were more optimistic about the future contribution of new technologies to society and exhibited a high degree of comfort with energy applications.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 9, 2008

Honey adds health benefits, is natural preservative and sweetener in salad dressings

A University of Illinois study found that honey, rich in antioxidants, protects the quality of salad dressings for up to nine months while naturally sweetening them. The study substituted honey for chemical additives and high-fructose corn syrup, resulting in a healthier alternative.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 9, 2008

Also in the Dec. 9 JNCI

Researchers found that among women under 40, black women have a higher breast cancer incidence rate than white women. However, this trend reverses among women over 40, with white women having a higher incidence rate. The study confirms the age-related crossover effect in breast cancer incidence rates between black and white ethnic groups.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 9, 2008

SAGE to publish International Journal of Toxicology

The American College of Toxicology partnered with SAGE to publish the International Journal of Toxicology, a peer-reviewed bi-monthly journal covering current research in toxicology. The journal will increase visibility globally and provide access to full-text articles through SAGE Journals Online.

SourceSAGE·JournalInternational Journal of Toxicology·DateDec 9, 2008

Nonhormonal treatment regimens improve survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer

A meta-analysis of 128 clinical trials has found that nonhormonal treatment regimens, including anthracycline-based regimens and taxanes, have improved overall survival in women with advanced breast cancer. The use of these regimens led to a significant relative risk reduction in overall mortality.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 9, 2008