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Science News for March 25, 2008


Treating SSRI-resistant depression

A new report suggests that switching from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to a non-SSRI antidepressant may be more effective for treating symptoms of major depressive disorder. However, the effectiveness and tolerability of this approach varied depending on the individual.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 25, 2008

Ant guts could pave the way for better drugs

Scientists have discovered two proteins that guide pathogenic bacteria's outer shell development, paving the way for new antibiotic targets. Researchers aim to create small molecule inhibitors to disable this mechanism, potentially leading to effective treatments against E. coli and salmonella.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2008

Living fossil still calls Australia home

A new study confirms Djarthia, Australia's earliest known marsupial, is a primitive relative of the Monito del Monte, a South American marsupial also believed to be a living fossil. The findings suggest the Monito del Monte may have returned to Australia from South America before Gondwana broke up.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 25, 2008

Heart failure treated 'in the brain'

A study by University College London found that beta-blockers slow heart failure progression through direct brain action, challenging existing views on their mechanism. The research suggests targeting the central nervous system may lead to novel treatments for cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCirculation Research·DateMar 25, 2008

Uneven use of less-invasive breast cancer staging test reported

The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) increased substantially from 1998 to 2005, but disparities persist in access to the procedure. Non-white women, older women, and those living in poorer areas were less likely to receive SLNB than their counterparts, highlighting uneven access to this less-invasive breast cancer staging test.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 25, 2008

Other highlights in the March 25 JNCI

A study examined 75 group-randomized oncology trials and found a substantial number of problems with the trials. Many relied on analyses that ignored group randomization altogether, raising concerns about type I errors. In contrast, HPV-based screening was found to be more accurate in detecting cervical precancerous lesions than cytology.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 25, 2008

A link between antidepressants and type 2 diabetes

A study published in Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice found that people with depression taking antidepressants have a 30% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk was highest for those using two types of therapies simultaneously, such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice·DateMar 25, 2008

Partners can help or hinder attempts at changing diet

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that significant others generally play a positive and supportive role in diet changes, with some facilitating the change through their own dietary habits or providing motivation. However, these positive roles varied widely in terms of impact on changers' experie...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 25, 2008

Giant ocean eddy shadows Sydney

A new 300km diameter giant ocean eddy has emerged off the NSW coast, with scientists tracing its birth to last August. The cold water at the new eddy's centre has welled up about 500m from the ocean depths, providing valuable insights into ocean forecasting systems.

Artificial photosynthesis moves a step closer

Researchers at Jülich and Emory University have synthesized a stable inorganic metal oxide cluster that enables the fast and effective oxidation of water to oxygen. This breakthrough could contribute to solving energy and climate problems by producing hydrogen from renewable sources using artificial photosynthesis.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 25, 2008

Satellites help map soil carbon flux

Scientists integrated remote sensing products with soil science data to quantify soil carbon changes over large regions. The study results in a spatially-explicit carbon accounting framework that can predict future land use and inform enhanced land management data sets.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateMar 25, 2008

Antisocial conduct and decision making about aggressive behavior influence each other in teens

A new study challenges the idea that antisocial behavior is relatively unchangeable during the teenage years. The study found that decision making and behavior among adolescents are related across time, with efforts to help being more effective if they address how adolescents make decisions about acting aggressively.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMar 25, 2008

The conflict of reward in depression

A new study using fMRI found that people with depression show increased activation in the anterior cingulate region when anticipating reward, indicating a conflict between processing rewards and punishments. This finding suggests that depression may not be solely the absence of pleasure, but rather an experience of emotional pain or fr...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 25, 2008

Boeing's Phantom Works arrives in Australia

CSIRO welcomes Boeing's establishment of Phantom Works, a branch of its advanced research organization, to foster innovation and growth. The partnership aims to develop breakthrough technologies in aerospace solutions, including lightweight composite materials and intelligent vehicle health monitoring.