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Science News for September 16, 2008


Steroids not as effective in obese asthma patients

Researchers at National Jewish Health found that glucocorticoids are 40% less effective in overweight and obese asthma patients than in those of normal weight. The study suggests a potential mechanism involved in the resistance, which could lead to therapeutic targets for future medications.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 16, 2008

AGU Journal Highlights -- Sept. 16, 2008

Researchers found that excessive groundwater withdrawal in Iran has led to significant land subsidence, causing destruction of aquifers. The study also suggests that future climate change will exacerbate this issue, highlighting the need for effective water resource management.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 16, 2008

£17.4m for new health research center

A new five-year research centre will be established in the East Midlands, focusing on improving patient care through innovative healthcare approaches. The Collaborative Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) will prioritize patients' needs and translate research findings into practical service improvements.

Carrots and sticks to promote a healthy lifestyle?

A survey of 515 patients found they were split almost 50/50 on the effectiveness of 'pay for performance for patients' schemes. Smokers and obese individuals thought paying for lifestyle changes was a good idea, citing lower healthcare costs and increased motivation.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 16, 2008

Pores open the door to death

Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology found that tiny pores on the cell surface allow granzymes to enter cells, providing a new target for therapeutic methods. The discovery could lead to improved treatments for chronic virus infections and cancer.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 16, 2008

Sowing a future for peas

Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to analyze pea plant leaves under drought stress, revealing key metabolites that increase in response. The findings could lead to the development of pea varieties more resistant to water scarcity, affecting global food production.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalMetabolomics·DateSep 16, 2008

Blood pressure drug combination reduces heart attack deaths

Researchers found that combining a thiazide diuretic with a potassium-sparing drug reduced both sudden cardiac death and total coronary mortality in elderly patients with hypertension. The study's findings challenge the current U.S. hypertension treatment guidelines, which recommend using a thiazide diuretic alone as initial therapy.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Society of Hypertension·DateSep 16, 2008

Burnham researcher awarded $8 million grant

Stuart A. Lipton will lead a center studying potential environmental causes of Parkinson's disease, examining chemical reactions that alter protein function and screening compounds to prevent disease progression. The center represents a collaborative effort between scientists at Burnham and other institutions.

Coating improves electrical stimulation therapy used for Parkinson's, depression, chronic pain

A new coating made from carbon nanotubes improves the signals received and transmitted by electrodes, potentially advancing electrical nerve stimulation therapy. The coating bolsters both stimulation and receptive capabilities, showing promise in treating diseases such as epilepsy, depression, and chronic leg and back pain.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 16, 2008

Joining forces against cancer

Multidisciplinary approaches combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have shown promise in treating various cancers, including lung and head and neck cancers. The addition of targeted therapies like pazopanib and cetuximab has demonstrated significant activity in reducing tumor size and improving patient outcomes.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateSep 16, 2008

From Xbox to T-cells: Michigan Tech researchers borrow video game technology to model human biology

A team of Michigan Tech researchers is harnessing video game technology to model complex biological systems, such as the human immune response to tuberculosis. Using GPUs, they have created a powerful new tool for medical research, allowing for faster and more efficient simulations of diseases like sepsis.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalJournal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering·DateSep 16, 2008

NIEHS invests $21.25 million to find environmental causes of Parkinson's disease

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is awarding three new grants to investigate the role of environmental factors in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The research will focus on identifying mechanisms that link pesticide exposure, mitochondrial damage, and altered dopamine storage to the dev...