Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2009 - Page 263


Page 263 of 277

Regular sprint boosts metabolism

Research published in BMC Endocrine Disorders shows that regular high-intensity interval training can significantly improve insulin action and glucose clearance. A three-minute sprint workout every couple of days may be the best way to cut the risk of diabetes, with substantial improvements in metabolic prowess seen within two weeks.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Endocrine Disorders·DateJan 27, 2009

Pharmaceutical disobedience

A report highlights the growing trend of US healthcare consumers purchasing unapproved prescription drugs online, driven by high prices and limited access to affordable treatments. This phenomenon carries significant social and policy implications, particularly in a period of economic recession.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Healthcare·DateJan 27, 2009

Unmasked and vulnerable

A clinical trial found adult mask wearers were four times more likely to be protected against respiratory viruses. Masks are particularly important during pandemics when vaccine development is delayed and supplies may be scarce for frontline workers.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJan 26, 2009

'Happiness gap' in the US narrows

Research by University of Pennsylvania economists finds the American population as a whole is no happier than it was three decades ago, but happiness inequality has narrowed significantly. The study found that non-whites report being significantly happier than they were in the early 1970s, while whites are slightly less happy.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Legal Studies·DateJan 26, 2009

Shaken self-confidence? Certain products and activities can fix it

Researchers discover that subtle manipulations like using non-dominant hands can lower self-confidence, but purchasing products or affirming unrelated values can restore it. Participants who chose healthier options after being shaken out of their confidence were more likely to have been given the opportunity to bolster their self-view.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 26, 2009

JCI table of contents: Jan. 26, 2009

A study by Wajahat Mehal and colleagues found that aspirin reduces liver damage caused by acetaminophen overdose. In contrast, glucocorticoid therapy may cause varying levels of brain injury in neonates, depending on the type of steroid used. These findings have important implications for treatment strategies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 26, 2009

New study: Short coverage lapses limit children's access to health care services

A new study published in Medical Care Research and Review found that even short gaps in health coverage can significantly decrease the likelihood of a child receiving medical care. The study suggests improving enrollment retention in SCHIP, Medicaid, and private coverage to ensure children maintain access to necessary healthcare.

SourceRobert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholars·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateJan 26, 2009

'Birth control' for centrioles

Researchers at Rockefeller University Press have uncovered a mechanism that limits centriole duplication, allowing cells to fashion extra centrioles only once per cell cycle. This discovery could lead to the development of new cancer treatments by restricting tumor cells' ability to replicate centrioles.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJan 26, 2009

Consumers desire more genetic testing, but not designer babies

A study found that consumers desire more genetic testing for life-altering conditions such as mental retardation, blindness, and cancer, but are less interested in prenatal testing for traits like superior intelligence or athletic ability. The study suggests that consumers prioritize screening for diseases over enhancements.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Genetic Counseling·DateJan 26, 2009

New asthma research opposes current drug treatment, says UH prof

A new study supports a University of Houston professor's theory that blocking the beta-2 adrenoreceptor receptor instead of stimulating it could be a safer and more effective strategy for long-term asthma management. The research, published in PNAS, reveals that a mouse model without the key gene produces fewer asthma-like symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

'Great speciators' explained: It's intrinsic

New research reveals that white eyes in the Zosteropidae family form new species at a faster rate than any other bird, with the fastest known rate among birds being around 2.24-3.16 species per million years. This supports the 'Great Speciator' hypothesis, suggesting intrinsic traits of sociability and adaptability drive the system.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2009

Caution: Lose more than weight with imported diet pills

Researchers found that these diet pills contain a range of addictive substances, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and diuretics. Physicians are advised to be aware of the dangers of these imported diet pills, which can cause serious side effects such as chest pains, palpitations, and insomnia.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 26, 2009

Move over, sponges

A comprehensive analysis confirms that Placozoans are the most primitive non-bilateral animals, with a genome that shares key tools for nervous system development. This challenges traditional views of animal evolution, placing Placozoans as the closest living surrogate to the ancestor of all animals.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 26, 2009