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Science News Archive June 2008 - Page 6


Page 6 of 21

Buckminster Fuller takes on big coal

John Todd's proposal outlines a four-stage recovery and development plan for Appalachia, using biological processes to restore degraded land and return atmospheric carbon to the soil. The plan aims to build a dynamic sustainable economic basis for lasting renewal and increase carbon storage in soils around the world.

Viruses hitch a ride in the cell

New research reveals that viruses can travel around infected cells by hitching a ride on microtubules, which are microscopic tubes forming part of the cell cytoskeleton. This transport system allows virus DNA to be integrated into the host genome, improving our knowledge of how the virus replicates in host cells.

Anti-inflammatory drug blocks brain plaques

The study demonstrates that CNI-1493 protects nerve cells against amyloid beta-induced damage in culture and improves memory and cognitive function in mice prone to developing an Alzheimer's-like disease. The drug may provide a faster and more effective treatment for Alzheimer's, offering a promising alternative to current therapies.

SourceJournal of Experimental Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJun 23, 2008

Pharmacists as educators can improve asthma outcomes

A new study found that up to 90% of people with asthma use their inhalers incorrectly, leading to poor control and increased healthcare costs. Pharmacists who received training on correct inhaler technique and provided personalized stickers for patients showed significant improvements in asthma severity and patient behavior.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·DateJun 23, 2008

Election forecasters preparing for historic election

A special issue of International Journal of Forecasting explores various election forecasting models, including those using political futures markets and historical analysis. Researchers discuss the importance of campaign effects and the limitations of predicting outcomes without an incumbent candidate.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalInternational Journal of Forecasting·DateJun 23, 2008

New source of heart stem cells discovered

A new group of stem cells in the epicardium can regenerate cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. This finding advances the hope of recapitulating developmental events to regenerate injured heart tissue, with potential applications for treating adults with heart failure.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature·DateJun 22, 2008

A plane with wings of glass?

Researchers have found that the special atomic structures formed in glass when it cools are responsible for its non-crystalline state. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials like metallic glasses, which could be used in flexible products such as aircraft wings and engine parts.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 22, 2008

Charles Taylor awarded Kyoto Prize

Charles Taylor, a renowned scholar of spirituality and secularism, has been awarded the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy. The recognition acknowledges his decades-long efforts to integrate spiritual dimensions into public policy, history, and other humanities fields.

JCI table of contents: June 20, 2008

A study found that chemicals in cigarette smoke activate nerves in guinea pig airways, causing damage. Leptin levels also play a role in weight loss, with low levels helping protect against weight regain.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 20, 2008

Reliance on unverifiable observations hinders successful conservation of wildlife species

Researchers found that unverifiable observations can lead to the overestimation of rare species' ranges and abundance. A 'sliding scale' of evidentiary standards was developed to help managers determine the suitability of evidence in conservation decisionmaking, prioritizing physical evidence for extinct or highly rare species.

Mayo researchers discover how measles virus spreads (in its host)

Researchers found that the measles virus can replicate only in immune cells, causing disease in monkeys and potentially improving cancer therapy efficacy. The study's findings challenge traditional textbook assumptions about how the virus spreads, paving the way for more effective vaccines and treatments.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 20, 2008

The economics of nice folks

Research finds that people sometimes prioritize the greater good over their own interests, and poorly designed institutions can undermine this behavior. Examples include a study on day care center fines and blood donation rates., Experts argue that recognizing human altruism is crucial for designing effective policies and institutions.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalScience·DateJun 19, 2008

Combining math and medicine to treat leukemia

A new mathematical model could lead to personalized vaccines for CML patients, strengthening the immune system during its weakest point. The study uses data from four years of imatinib therapy and recommends 'cancer vaccines' to combat drug resistance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 19, 2008

Researchers track Lyme disease spirochetes

Microbiologists track B. burgdorferi movement and interaction with vascular walls in mice to understand dissemination mechanisms, shedding light on disease processes. Real-time imaging provides critical insight into the complex process of spirochete spread.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 19, 2008