Prevalence of dementia in the developing world underestimated
Research suggests dementia prevalence in developing world is closer to developed countries' rates, with potential for improved health and social care systems.
Science News Archive July 2008
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New research on pre-eclampsia in mice may have important implications for humans
Researchers have induced pre-eclampsia in mice by injecting human autoantibodies, demonstrating a potential pathway for the disorder. Blocking these autoantibodies prevented the development of pre-eclampsia in mice, suggesting a new approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Francisella tularensis: Stopping a biological weapon
A vaccine for tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, is being developed as the disease's potential as a bioterrorism agent has increased. Researchers have made progress in understanding the bacterium's pathogenesis and identifying potential targets for a vaccine.
NYU Langone Medical Center's tip sheet to the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center presented several key findings on Alzheimer's disease risk factors, including a study that identified signs of brain pathology in healthy individuals. They also reported promising results from couples counseling and antibody tests against common mouth bacteria linked to Alzheimer's disease. The...
Second Life a first for UH department of health and human performance
The UH department of health and human performance is leveraging Second Life to enhance student learning, with grants supporting research on virtual environments and instructional technology. Faculty members aim to create immersive learning experiences, promote healthy habits, and facilitate international collaborations.
Colonial heritage metaphors used in US military conflicts
The US military employs 'Indian Country' metaphors to describe hostile territories in war zones, drawing on a presumed collective memory of past battles. This metaphor reframes Native American histories and struggles in light of contemporary terrorism.
Plasma DNA level is a reliable marker of recurrent esophageal cancer, study finds
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that elevated plasma DNA levels are a reliable marker of recurrent esophageal cancer. Plasma DNA levels rose before clinical evidence of recurrence in most patients, indicating its potential as a biomarker for disease monitoring.
Anti-HIV therapy boosts life expectancy more than 13 years
Researchers found that combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) increased life expectancy for HIV patients by more than 13 years. The study, published in The Lancet, analyzed data from 43,355 HIV-positive participants and found a nearly 40% drop in AIDS deaths.
ASGE issues guidelines on the role of endoscopy in the bariatric surgery patient
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued guidelines on the role of endoscopy in bariatric surgery patients. The guidelines emphasize the importance of preoperative endoscopy to detect lesions that may affect surgery and postoperative symptoms or conditions, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
'Green' potato health risk can be eliminated by cutting away affected area
Potatoes with 'green' patches contain a toxic substance called Glycoalkaloids (GA), posing health risks. Cutting away the affected area can eliminate most of the toxin, reducing public health risks. Effective pre-harvest and post-harvest practices, such as proper soil coverage and harvesting timing, can also control GA levels in potatoes.
Scientists search for answers from the carbon in the clouds
Researchers study aerosol particles, including soot, using advanced instruments to better understand their lifecycle and effects on climate. This knowledge is crucial for addressing climate change and related public health concerns.
Wealth does not dictate concern for the environment
A new study reveals that citizens of poorer nations are equally concerned about environmental quality as their counterparts in rich nations. This challenges the long-held assumption that poverty-stricken countries prioritize basic needs over environmental protection.
Naumann, Rosenberg win Best Paper Award at ECOOP conference
Professors David Naumann and Stan Rosenberg from Stevens Institute of Technology introduced a new programming logic to leverage existing software tools and scale up large software systems in languages like Java and C#. Their work was funded by the National Science Foundation.
An Ikerbasque researcher disentangles the strange behavior of qubits
Researchers Enrique Solano and colleagues have made significant progress in understanding the behavior of qubits. They found that certain quantum leaps are prohibited when a qubit's symmetry is broken, and vice versa.
Princeton scientists spy an electron dance
Researchers from Princeton University have discovered that electrons in bismuth display a highly unusual pattern of behavior under a powerful magnetic field at ultra-low temperatures. This phenomenon, known as a collective state, is a manifestation of quantum mechanics and could lead to new paradigms in computing and electronics.
Women's access to credit affects efficiency in rural households
A new study reveals that women's lack of access to credit leads to reduced economic output in rural households, with an average loss of 11% efficiency. The research highlights the need for policies addressing women's capital constraints to promote economic growth and efficient resource allocation.
Overweight elderly Americans contribute to financial burdens of the US health care system
A new study reveals that treating overweight or obese elderly individuals costs Medicare 6-17% more over a lifetime than treating those with a healthy weight. This translates to an extra $15,000 for overweight individuals and $26,000 for obese individuals.
Penn researchers demonstrate a flexible, 1-step assembly of nanoscale structures
Researchers have created a new method for producing functional nanoscale patterns with sub-100 nanometer features. The process uses a flexible polymer membrane and exploits elastic instability to generate long-range orientational order, resulting in stable and reusable diamond-plate patterns with high precision.
Mustard -- hot stuff for natural pest control
Researchers are using biofumigation with mustard and other Brassica species to manage soil-borne pests and weeds. This technique can provide economic and social benefits by reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and promoting environmental health.
Rising energy, food prices major threats to wetlands as farmers eye new areas for crops
Experts warn that critical food shortages and high fossil fuel prices are major threats to preserving wetlands worldwide. The United Nations University calls for policy makers to resist pressure to convert wetlands, citing the importance of these ecosystems for safe water supplies, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation.
Heart researchers receive grant to study asthma
A team of University of Iowa investigators are applying findings from heart research to the study of asthma, focusing on an enzyme known to play a role in heart failure. They aim to learn more about airway smooth muscle cells and their response to the enzyme CaM kinase II.
Researchers disprove long-standing belief about HIV treatment
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have disproven the long-held belief that hepatitis C virus slows immune system recovery after HIV treatment. The study found no difference in CD4 cell restoration between co-infected and mono-infected patients, suggesting other factors are at play.
Study: No gender differences in math performance
A recent study published in Science challenges the notion that girls are less skilled at math than boys. Using data from over 7 million students, researchers found no significant differences in average math scores between genders. However, they did identify a lack of questions testing complex problem-solving skills on state assessments...
HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean
The HIV/AIDS epidemic affects nearly 2 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, with most transmission through unprotected sex. The region faces unique challenges due to socio-economic disparities, homophobia, and lack of access to healthcare and education.
Why play a losing game? Study uncovers why low-income people buy lottery tickets
A new Carnegie Mellon University study finds that low-income individuals spend a larger percentage of their incomes on lottery tickets due to the hope of improving their financial situations. The research suggests that lotteries exploit poor people's desires to escape poverty, exacerbating income inequality.
Study shows emergency physicians have good first instincts in diagnosing heart attacks
A new study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal found that emergency room doctors correctly identify patients with heart attack symptoms even when laboratory tests have not yet confirmed it. The study analyzed data from over 4,000 patients and showed that physicians are relying on their clinical impression to diagnose heart att...
A new cellular pathway linked to cancer is identified by NYU researchers
Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified a new cellular pathway that responds to DNA damage and is linked to the development of cancer. The pathway involves a process that targets proteins for disposal, which could potentially be used to sensitize cancer cells to treatment.
Researchers unravel key mechanism of cellular damage in aging and disease
Researchers have discovered a new tool that can measure the extent of oxidative stress and determine how well antioxidants work. The study used a protein-based probe to detect fleeting bursts of superoxide production, which is associated with cellular damage in various diseases.
New study of gene evolution could lead to better understanding of neurodegenerative disease
A new study by Claus Wilke and D. Allan Drummond found that genetic evolution prioritizes minimizing errors in protein production to prevent misfolded proteins, which can cause neurodegenerative diseases. The research may lead to better detection of genes with mutations leading to toxic proteins.
Consortium develops new method to manipulate genetic material
A team of researchers has developed a powerful tool to induce specific genomic modifications in many types of cells, including plants and humans. The new method, known as OPEN, enables academic researchers to rapidly create high-quality enzymes that can target and manipulate DNA sequences for repair or inactivation.
Study shows residents may benefit most from time in the clinic
A University of Cincinnati study found that residents who spent more time in outpatient settings delivered a higher quality of care and had greater satisfaction in their duties. The new system, implemented to reduce conflict between inpatient and outpatient care, provided hands-on learning and enhanced patient satisfaction.
Accretion discs show their true colors
A new study using VLT observations verifies the long-standing prediction that accretion discs emit intensely blue radiation. The researchers used polarised light from six quasars to uncover the buried light from the discs, vindicating the standard picture of these discs.
How cigarette smoke negatively impacts the consequences of viral infections
A study by Yale University researchers found that cigarette smoke enhances the effects of viral infections, leading to increased mortality and airway damage. In a mouse model, combining cigarette smoke with viral components caused more severe lung damage than viral components alone.
Adult stem cells activated in mammalian brain
Researchers at the University of California-Irvine have discovered that adult stem cells in the mammalian brain originate from ependymal cells lining the ventricles. These cells can be coaxed into dividing, providing a promising approach to treating neurological disorders and injuries such as Parkinson's disease and stroke.
Imiquimod, an immune response modifier, is dependent on the OGF-OGFr signaling pathway
Researchers discovered that imiquimod, an immune response modifier, relies on the Opioid Growth Factor (OGF)-OGF receptor axis for its action. This finding provides new insights into the mechanism of imiquimod's antiviral and antitumor activity.
Cow power could generate electricity for millions
Converting livestock manure into biogas can produce enough electricity to meet up to 3% of North America's energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process has the potential to generate 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, equivalent to powering millions of homes.
Neurotherapeutics presents special issue on new treatments for Alzheimer's disease
The special issue highlights promising therapeutic targets and techniques to measure the effects of disease-modifying therapies on cerebral amyloid β levels. Clinical trials are underway, and several promising drugs are headed towards clinical trials, offering cautious optimism for new AD therapeutics.
Prevailing theory of aging challenged in Stanford worm study
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that specific genetic instructions drive aging in worms, shifting the focus away from tissue damage accumulation. The study found age-related changes in transcription factors that regulate genes, triggering pathways that transform young worms into older ones.
Older people may need less sleep, study finds
Research suggests that older adults require less sleep than younger individuals, with a decline in both the quality and quantity of sleep. This finding has implications for the treatment of insomnia in older adults, who may overestimate their need for sleep and use medications unnecessarily.
Studies conclude impurity in Roche's Viracept did not increase patients' risk of cancer
The presence of an impurity called ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) in Roche's Viracept HIV medication did not increase patients' risk of developing cancer, according to new research confirmed by the European Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP).
Polarized sunglasses see black hole disks
Researchers have successfully visualized the elusive disks of matter surrounding supermassive black holes using a polarising filter on the UK Infrared Telescope. This breakthrough allows scientists to study these black holes in greater detail, shedding light on their structure and composition.
Novel structure proteins could play a role in apoptosis
Researchers have discovered that isoforms from Novel Structure Proteins (NSPs) could be involved in apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death. The NSPs were found to interact with the protein B23, and silencing their expression led to increased cell viability but reduced apoptosis.
Energy drinks linked to risk-taking behaviors among college students
A study found that frequent energy drink consumption is associated with increased risk of substance use, unsafe sexual activity, and other forms of risk-taking among college students. Energy drink consumption may serve as a screening indicator for identifying students at risk for problem behavior syndrome.
Joy Luck Club: The health benefits of daughters-in-law
A study by USC researchers found that daughters-in-law provide essential instrumental support to older women in rural China, reducing depressive symptoms. In contrast, household support from own children is damaging and increases depressive symptoms.
Missing link found between circadian clock and metabolism
Two new studies found a connection between the circadian clock and metabolism through the protein SIRT1, which regulates energy levels throughout the day. The findings suggest that drugs targeting SIRT1 could help treat circadian sleep disturbances.
Early cessation of breastfeeding by HIV+ women in poor countries and child survival
Researchers found that early cessation or continued breastfeeding by HIV-infected women in low-resource settings does not significantly affect child survival. Infants who were weaned abruptly had higher death rates than those whose mothers continued breast-feeding, while formula-fed infants missed out on protective antibodies.
Yale study shows why cigarette smoke makes flu, other viral infections worse
A Yale University study reveals that cigarette smoke makes flu and other viral infections worse by triggering an exaggerated immune response. This overreaction leads to increased lung inflammation and tissue damage, making smokers more prone to severe illness and death.
Gummy bears that fight plaque
A new study shows that giving children four xylitol gummy bears three times a day reduces harmful bacteria in their plaque after six weeks. The findings suggest that a clinical trial to develop a gummy-based caries prevention program is feasible.
Researchers identify gene responsible for rare childhood disease
Congenital Tufting Enteropathy (CTE) is a rare, congenital disorder affecting infants, causing severe diarrhea and growth failure. Researchers identified the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule gene as the cause of CTE.
Circadian rhythm-metabolism link discovered
UC Irvine researchers found that CLOCK protein regulates body clock, working in balance with SIRT1 to modulate energy use. This balance is vital for proper metabolism, and disruption can lead to metabolic disorders. The study suggests that sleep and diet can help maintain this equilibrium.
Extended-dose nevirapine could protect infants of HIV-infected mothers from contracting the virus
A regimen of extended-dose nevirapine reduced the risk of infants contracting HIV via breastfeeding by 20% at six months of age. The study found a significant reduction in HIV transmission at six weeks of age, but access to safe replacement feeding remains crucial.
If Swiss non-infectiousness statement led to condom use stopping, HIV infections could quadruple
A recent study estimates that if couples stop using condoms, HIV incidence could easily quadruple over 10 years. The risk of transmission from effectively treated patients is low but non-zero, and transmission risks are higher in male homosexual partnerships.
Effect of microstructure on the coercivity of HDDR Nd-Fe-B permanent magnetic alloy
The coercivity mechanism of HDDR Nd-Fe-B permanent magnetic alloy is greatly related to its microstructure defect at the grain boundary, according to the study. For a fixed lex, coercivity reaches maximum at 2r0/lex=1.67, controlled by pinning and nucleation mechanisms.
NIAID announces revised priorities for HIV vaccine research
NIAID is reshaping its research enterprise to broaden HIV vaccine discovery activities, with a focus on laboratory, non-human primate, and clinical researchers. The Institute plans to develop new initiatives to support individual investigator-initiated grants in HIV vaccine discovery and other tactics to interrupt HIV transmission.
Limiting fructose may boost weight loss, UT Southwestern researcher reports
A recent study suggests that limiting fructose intake can lead to increased weight loss, as it is quickly converted into body fat in the liver. Dr. Elizabeth Parks' research found that even small amounts of fructose can contribute to greater triglyceride synthesis.
Life expectancy of HIV patients has increased by 13 years in era of combination antiretroviral drugs
Studies show a significant increase in life expectancy among HIV-positive individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), with total life expectancy rising from 56.1 years to 69.4 years between 1996-99 and 2003-05. However, patients treated late in the course of their infection have worse life expectancy.
JCI table of contents: July 24, 2008
Researchers have found that cigarette smoke significantly worsens the consequences of viral infections in mice, leading to increased immune responses and airway damage. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the negative impact of cigarette smoke on lung health and may have implications for human disease preven...
CMV infections affect more than just patients with compromised immune systems, researchers find
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections can cause longer hospital and intensive-care unit stays in patients without compromised immune systems. The study found that approximately 30% of ICU patients exhibited active CMV infection, leading to extended hospital stays.
Mate or hibernate? That's the question worm pheromones answer
Scientists have discovered the first mating pheromone in Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm that sends signals to mate or hibernate. The newly found compound changes its behavior depending on concentration levels, affecting both reproductive and survival traits.
Material may help autos turn heat into electricity
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new thermoelectric material that can convert waste heat from engine exhaust into electricity, with twice the efficiency of current market materials. The material is effective between 450-950 degrees Fahrenheit and has potential applications in power generators and heat pumps.