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Science News Archive 2009 - Page 55


Page 55 of 277

Cancer survivors may not be getting the help they need to stop smoking

A recent study published by Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers reveals that nearly a quarter of cancer survivors who still smoke have not been advised to quit by their health care providers in the last year. Health care providers are missing an opportunity to make a significant difference in the quality of life of their patients by no...

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2009

Melanoma treatment options 1 step closer

A team of University of Alberta researchers successfully synthesized a natural substance called Palmerolide A, which shows exceptional potential to specifically treat melanoma. The potency of palmerolide is exceptional and may prove to be more effective with less toxicity than current chemotherapy approaches.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 20, 2009

Radiologists develop scale to help clinicians predict disease severity in infants with NEC

A new scale, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale (DAAS), helps clinicians determine disease severity and need for surgery in infants with NEC. The DAAS provides a standardized 10-point radiographic scale that increases with disease severity, enabling earlier detection of patients at risk for developing severe NEC.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateOct 20, 2009

It takes 2 to tutor a sparrow

In a field study, University of Washington researchers found that juvenile song sparrows learn their repertoire by eavesdropping on singing conversations between two adult birds. This process involves tracking the birds' movements and responses to recorded bird songs played over two speakers.

0.2 second test for explosive liquids

Researchers have developed a new spectroscopy method that can detect explosive liquids in plastic bottles instantly, improving airport security. The method uses electromagnetic radiation to identify materials and a nanoelectronic device to detect signals, creating a detailed 'thumbprint' of the liquid's molecular signature.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSuperconductor Science and Technology·DateOct 20, 2009

EMBO welcomes 66 leading life scientists as members

EMBO has elected 66 top-life scientists with expertise in various molecular biology fields, including evolutionary and computational biology. The new members come from 16 countries and include 15 female researchers recognized for their contributions to life science research.

SourceEMBO·DateOct 20, 2009

Recommended treatment for heart failure often underused

Recent data suggests that less than one-third of hospitalized heart failure patients received guideline-recommended aldosterone antagonist therapy. The study analyzed hospital-based quality improvement registry data and found modest increases in treatment use over time, but significant variation among hospitals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 20, 2009

Texas A&M researchers find new mechanism for circadian rhythm

Researchers at Texas A&M University have found a new mechanism for regulating the circadian rhythm in chickens' eyes, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The discovery involves microRNA-26a, a small RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in controlling the activity ...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 20, 2009

Fear of discrimination saw Paddys and Biddys decline

A study by Durham and Northumbria Universities found that second-generation Irish immigrants preferred English Protestant names over traditional Irish Catholic names, indicating a desire to minimize prejudice. The research suggests that this trend was also observed in other immigrant communities worldwide.

SourceDurham University·JournalAnnals of Human Biology·DateOct 20, 2009

Scientists discover largest orb-weaving spider

Researchers have discovered a new giant golden orb weaver spider species, Nephila komaci, in South Africa and Madagascar, which is the largest web-spinning spider known to science. The female spiders of this species can reach up to 1.5 inches in body length, while males are significantly smaller.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 20, 2009

Presidential election outcome changed voters' testosterone

A study by researchers at Duke University and the University of Michigan found that men who voted for McCain or Barr experienced a significant drop in testosterone levels after the election results were announced. In contrast, Obama voters showed stable testosterone levels. The study suggests that vicarious participation in elections c...

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 20, 2009

Flu focus: NIH project aims for better drugs

Rice University scientists win grant to investigate flu virus's complex replication process and develop more effective antiviral drugs. The research will focus on understanding the assembly of viral RNA segments into a viable package, which is crucial for the virus to reproduce.

ConocoPhillips, Penn State award energy prize

Scott Anderson of Palm Beach, Fla., and his team won the 2009 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize with their ECO-Auger, a hydrokinetic machine harnessing tidal currents for renewable electric energy. The prize recognizes innovative ideas to create a more secure energy future.

Study: Teachers' unions don't provide more pay

A recent study by Cornell economist Michael Lovenheim found that teachers' unions have little impact on school districts' allocation of money, including teacher pay and spending per student. Unionization was linked to an increase in the number of teachers employed, but this effect was offset by increases in student enrollment, resultin...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Labor Economics·DateOct 20, 2009

Stereotypes can fuel teen misbehavior

A study by Christy Buchanan found that adolescents whose mothers expected them to take more risks and be more rebellious reported higher levels of risk-taking behavior. Parents who expect their kids to become rebellious at a certain age may inadvertently contribute to negative behaviors.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·DateOct 20, 2009

Major swine flu outbreak at US Air Force Academy, unique opportunity to study virus behavior

A recent large-scale swine flu outbreak at the US Air Force Academy provided valuable insights into the natural behavior of the nH1N1 virus, including shedding patterns. The study found that viable virus shedding occurred in about one quarter of confirmed patients and persisted even after symptom-free periods.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 20, 2009

Exon-skipping drug prevents muscle wasting, maintains muscle function in dystrophin deficient mice

A new publication in Molecular Therapy outlines the dramatic effects of an exon skipping PPMO in preventing severe deterioration of dystrophin-deficient mice. The treatment restores dystrophin protein expression and maintains near-normal muscle function, suggesting great potential for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

SourceRathbun Communications, INC.·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateOct 20, 2009

Ernesto Illy Trieste Science Prize winners 2009

Pramod Kumar Aggarwal and Carlos Clemente Cerri are the winners of the 2009 TWAS Ernesto Illy Trieste Science Prize, recognized for their groundbreaking research on climate change's impact on agriculture. Their work aims to enhance understanding of climate change's effects on food supplies and develop innovative strategies to mitigate ...

SourceTWAS·DateOct 20, 2009