Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2008 - Page 19


Page 19 of 24

Older renal cancer patients appear to benefit from sorafenib treatment

A subset analysis of a randomized trial found that older patients with renal cell carcinoma derive similar clinical benefits from sorafenib therapy as younger patients, including improved progression-free survival and quality of life. The treatment was well-tolerated regardless of age, with manageable side effects.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 7, 2008

Study suggests LF elimination program is 'best buy in public health'

The study found that the LYF elimination programme has prevented 6.6 million children from acquiring LF and stopped another 9.5 million people already infected from progressing to more debilitating stages. The programme's success is attributed to its rapid scale-up, delivering what experts call a 'best buy' in public health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 7, 2008

Stars stop forming when big galaxies collide

Astronomers have discovered evidence that high-speed collisions between large elliptical galaxies can prevent new stars from forming. The study found that gravitational interactions can heat up gas, making it difficult for stars to cool and form.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 7, 2008

Egg whites solve the 3-D problem

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found a solution to the high cost of commercial media for 3D cell cultures using chicken egg whites. The process enables normal and cancer cells to be grown in three dimensions, allowing scientists to study cell signaling and tumor microenvironments.

How are children choosing their food portions?

A study found that children serve themselves larger portions when super-sized meals are available, but portion sizes vary by gender, ethnicity, and parental feeding practices. The researchers aim to identify factors affecting children's eating habits and promote healthy choices from an early age.

Why current publication practices may distort science

A team of researchers argues that current publication practices create an extreme imbalance between the abundance of supply and limited venues for publication, leading to unrepresentative results. This distortion affects the broader scientific community, as only a small proportion of research findings are selected for publication.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 6, 2008

Surface tension drives segregation within cell mixtures

Researchers have developed a new three-dimensional computer model that reveals surface tension plays a crucial role in cell sorting. The study found that when minority cells make up at least 25% of the mix, they are more likely to be in direct contact with other minority cells, enhancing the surface tension effect and allowing it to dr...

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 6, 2008

Metastatic movements in 3-D

Research reveals that blocking avb3 integrin leads to a5b1's increased trafficking and association with EGFR1, activating the Akt pathway and promoting random migration and invasive ability. This study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying metastatic movement in tumor cells.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateOct 6, 2008

New blood test for Down syndrome

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have created a non-invasive blood test that accurately detects Down syndrome and two other serious chromosomal defects. The test is more accurate than previous methods and can provide results within a few days, reducing the wait time for anxious parents.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 2008

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends high-intensity behavioral counseling for all sexually active individuals at increased risk for STIs. The new stool DNA test is twice as effective at detecting colon cancer and polyps than previous tests, showing promise for improved screening effectiveness.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 6, 2008

New prenatal test for down syndrome less risky than amniocentesis, Stanford/Packard scientists say

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new prenatal test for Down syndrome that requires only a maternal blood sample, significantly reducing the risk of miscarriage. The test uses fragments of fetal DNA in the woman's blood to detect chromosomal disorders and could provide an earlier diagnosis than current methods.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 2008

C. difficile and antibiotics not necessarily linked

A new study by Dr. Sandra Dial challenges the long-held assumption that antibiotic use is always a precursor to C. difficile infections. Researchers found that approximately 53% of community-acquired C. difficile infections were not related to antibiotic use, highlighting the need for further investigation into other risk factors.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 6, 2008