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Science News Archive January 2008 - Page 8


Page 8 of 17

MNI researchers locate neurological basis of depression following sports concussion

Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute found that concussed athletes with depression showed reduced brain activity in regions known to be implicated in depression. The study provides important clinical implications for treating individuals who have suffered a cerebral concussion and highlights the importance of early interv...

SourceMontreal Neurological Institute and Hospital·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateJan 18, 2008

Mayo Clinic Proceedings Jan. tip sheet

Antioxidant supplements were found to have no beneficial effects on reducing cancer risk, while beta carotene supplementation was linked to increased risk of smoking-related cancers. The study also provides practical guidelines for workplace drug screening and concludes that nasal spray flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to preven...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 18, 2008

Combined radiation seed, chemotherapy wafer implants show promise in treating cancerous brain tumors

A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that simultaneous implantation of radioactive seeds and chemotherapy wafers following surgery improved patient survival rates for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. The median survival was 69 weeks, with nearly a quarter of patients surviving two years.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateJan 18, 2008

Human activities contribute to California's global warming

Recent research found California's temperatures have jumped statewide by more than 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit between 1915 and 2000, with the warming being fastest in late winter and early spring. The study suggests that natural causes alone cannot explain this trend and points to greenhouse gases and urbanization as contributing factors.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2008

Battling potential disease outbreaks online

Automated electronic medical laboratory reporting (ELR) significantly improves the completeness and timeliness of disease surveillance, allowing for earlier intervention in disease spread. The study found that ELR findings are automatically transmitted in real-time, reducing the reliance on traditional paper reports.

SourceIndiana University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 17, 2008

Discovery cuts cost of next generation optical fibers

Scientists have developed a new method to produce hollow-core optical fibres, which could lead to faster and more powerful computing and telecommunications technologies. The breakthrough reduces production time from around a week to just one day, making the fibre superior in virtually every respect to previous versions.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 17, 2008

Genetic diversity of European Americans and disease gene mapping

Researchers provide first genetic dissection of European American population structure, identifying key genetic variants that can correct for population substructure in disease association studies. By using a panel of 300 markers, researchers can determine whether observed associations are genuine or false-positives.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 17, 2008

Weill Cornell team discovers how brain's own tPA helps regulate blood flow to neurons

A recent study by Weill Cornell Medical College reveals that the brain contains its own store of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a powerful enzyme that boosts blood flow to brain cells via nitric oxide synthase. This finding has significant implications for understanding stroke and Alzheimer's disease, and may lead to new treatments.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2008

Chromosomal abnormalities play substantial role in autism

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that chromosomal abnormalities contribute substantially to autism, with 7% of children carrying unique genetic changes. The researchers identified 13 regions of the genome with overlapping or recurrent chromosomal changes in unrelated individuals with autism.

Predators do more than kill prey

A UC Riverside study shows that killing prey has both direct and indirect effects on ecosystems, leading to evolutionary changes in prey populations. The research found that prey adapt to food availability as well as the presence of predators, resulting in more food available to survivors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2008

New gene test for prostate cancer at hand

Researchers have identified a new gene test that can identify men with a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. The study found that men carrying a combination of known risk genes are four to five times more likely to develop the disease, providing a potential breakthrough in early detection and treatment.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 17, 2008

JCI table of contents: Jan. 17, 2008

Researchers have discovered that increasing lipid associated with apoE in the brain may decrease amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's patients. Meanwhile, a new study found that neutralizing IL-22 prevents psoriasis-like disease in mice, suggesting a potential approach to treating this chronic condition. Additionally, scientists have deve...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 17, 2008

Former US Naval captain and interim minister of health for Iraq criticizes US Department of Defense

A former US naval captain and interim health minister of Iraq criticises the US Department of Defense strategy for using achievement indicators instead of outcomes to judge the success of initiatives. The critique comes as a report confirms that far too many civilians have been killed during the US-led occupation, and many healthcare w...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 17, 2008

Europe should adopt WHO recommendations for particulate matter cuts

Fine particulate matter pollution linked to increased death rates from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Adopting the WHO standard of 10 µg/m3 could delay up to 7% of early deaths, while meeting the US EPA standard of 15 µg/m3 would only delay 1.6%. Reducing PM2.5 levels can also save billions in healthcare costs.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 17, 2008

Palestinian refugees living in 'slum conditions'

A cross-sectional survey of 437 Palestinian refugees found over half lived in one room only with no access to external ventilation or heating. Residents complained of damp and mould, while children under 15 were more likely to live in overcrowded conditions.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 17, 2008