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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 36


Page 36 of 277

Controversial new climate change data

The study found that terrestrial ecosystems and oceans have a much greater capacity to absorb CO2 than previously thought, with the airborne fraction of CO2 remaining stable at 0.7% per decade since 1850. This challenges recent research suggesting a decrease in absorption capacity as CO2 emissions rise.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 10, 2009

'Emotions increase or decrease pain': researchers

A Universite de Montréal study published in PNAS found that negative emotions amplify pain, while positive emotions reduce it. The research used fMRI scans to measure brain activity in subjects exposed to painful electric shocks while viewing pleasant or unpleasant images.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2009

Can a plant be altruistic?

Researchers found that Impatiens pallida, also known as yellow jewelweed, can recognize its relatives and adjust its resource allocation accordingly. The plant responds differently to aboveground cues depending on whether it's competing with a relative or a stranger.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateNov 10, 2009

News brief: Antitumor activity of nutlin-3 in neuroblastoma with wild-type p53

Researchers found that nutlin-3 activates the p53 pathway and suppresses tumor growth in mice models of chemoresistant neuroblastoma. Oral administration of nutlin-3 as a single agent reduced tumor growth and metastasis, providing a potential treatment option for advanced-stage and chemoresistant neuroblastoma.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 10, 2009

Drug shrinks lung cancer tumors in mice

A new study published in Cancer Research found that a potential drug for lung cancer eliminated tumours in 50% of mice and stopped growth and resistance to treatment. The researchers are planning to take the drug into clinical trials to establish its effectiveness for patients with small cell lung cancer.

SourceImperial College London·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 10, 2009

Amphibians as environmental omen disputed

A meta-analysis of over 28,000 toxicological tests challenges the notion that amphibians are uniquely susceptible to pollution. Researchers found that frogs range from moderately susceptible to 'bullet-proof' against environmental threats, with other factors contributing to their decline.

SourceYale University·JournalEcology Letters·DateNov 10, 2009

News brief: Detecting overall survival benefit derived from progression-free survival

A new study suggests that progression-free survival (PFS) is a reasonable primary endpoint for clinical trials of metastatic cancer when the median survival post-progression (SPP) is less than 6 months. However, PFS benefit does not always translate to overall survival (OS) benefit in cases where SPP is longer than 12 months.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 9, 2009

Physician bias might keep life-saving transplants from black and Hispanic patients

African Americans are less likely to receive kidney/pancreas transplants than similar patients in other racial groups, despite increased Medicare coverage. Physician bias may be a contributing factor, with doctors assuming African Americans have type 2 diabetes when they may actually qualify for type 1 diabetes.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateNov 9, 2009

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 9, 2009

Research suggests that NSAIDs can prevent the early appearance of neuronal cell cycle events in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. However, treatment with NSAIDs does not reverse existing neuronal CCEs. Additionally, interstitial macrophages may play a role in preventing asthma by inhibiting LPS-induced immune responses.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 9, 2009

Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells

Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice, allowing their developing red blood cells to produce a critical lysosomal enzyme and preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from Hurler's syndrome. This approach has the potential to improve treatment options for ...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2009

Advance growing animal penile erectile tissue in lab may benefit patients

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have successfully grown replacement penile erectile tissue in rabbits, enabling normal sexual function and offspring production. The engineered tissue has the potential to benefit patients with congenital abnormalities, penile cancer, and some cases of erectile dysfunction.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2009

Mood improves on low-fat, but not low-carb, diet plan

A one-year study found that participants on a low-fat diet experienced improved mood and well-being compared to those on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. The study suggests that the low-carb diet may have detrimental effects on mood due to its structured nature and potential social challenges.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 9, 2009

Look ma, no mercury in fillings!

Researchers at Southwest Research Institute have created a new proof-of-concept dental restorative material made with zirconia nanoplatelets, which are super hard due to the arrangement of atoms in the material. The new fillings aim to replace amalgam, containing mercury, and offer improved durability and ease of use.

The bizarre lives of bone-eating worms

Osedax marine worms feast on submerged bones using symbiotic bacteria, with unique sexual and digestive habits and diverse habitats across the world's oceans. Recent research discovered up to twelve further distinct evolutionary lineages exist beyond the five species already described.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateNov 9, 2009

Reduced muscle strength associated with risk for Alzheimer's

A study of 970 older adults found that those with weaker muscles were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and experience cognitive decline. Muscle strength was also linked to the development of mild cognitive impairment, suggesting a common pathogenesis underlying loss of muscle strength and cognition in aging.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateNov 9, 2009