New light on bipolar treatment drugs
Researchers at Cardiff University have identified a key molecule involved in Lithium's action on the brain. Increasing IMPase levels can lead to higher PIP3 production, which is reduced by Lithium treatment.
Science News Archive April 2009
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Flight-deck-cleaning 'Zamboni' gives Navy aircraft carriers a cleaner wake
The Mobile Cleaning Reclaim and Recovery System (MCRRS) vehicle cuts grime with pressurized water, reclaims spent cleaning water and recycles hazardous materials. The system has improved flight deck safety, reduced maintenance time and enhanced aircraft carrier operations.
Predicting patient response to gleevec in gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center identified a genetic pattern that may predict how patients respond to imatinib mesylate, and found genes that could be suppressed to enhance therapy effectiveness. The study's findings suggest potential new strategies for improving treatment outcomes in gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients.
Premier issue of Ecopsychology launched by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. publishers
The inaugural issue of Ecopsychology, a new peer-reviewed online journal, chronicles the transdisciplinary endeavor of ecopsychology and its role in advancing psychological practice in an ecological context. The journal examines the link between human health, culture, and environmental issues.
Water levels dropping in some major rivers as global climate changes
A study by NCAR scientists found significant changes in about one-third of the world's largest rivers, with many experiencing decreased flow due to climate change. The reduced flows threaten future supplies of food and water, particularly for large populations relying on these rivers.
Learning how the pieces responsible for interpreting the human genome work
Researchers are decoding the network of biological complexes that regulate development, focusing on key proteins involved in gene expression. The study aims to understand how these proteins cooperate to perform functions in healthy cells and compare this with disease states, particularly cancer.
Medicare recipients see declines in continuity of care
According to a UTMB study, Medicare patients experienced significant lapses in continuity of care between 1996 and 2006. The decline was attributed partly to the increased use of hospitalists, who specialize in hospitalized patient care. The researchers recommended further study on the impact of reduced continuity on patient outcomes.
Biofuel crops pose invasive pest risk
Researchers warn that unregulated biofuel crop planting poses a significant threat to Hawaii's environment due to their high invasiveness. The study identifies high-risk biofuel crops that could be grown with implemented measures to reduce their risk of spreading out of control.
Drinking wine may increase survival among non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients
A study found that moderate wine consumption can reduce the risk of death and relapse in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. The researchers analyzed data from 546 women with the disease, revealing a 76% five-year survival rate among those who drank wine.
Saving the economy and saving the planet
Research highlights potential for green economy to stimulate employment and reduce carbon emissions during recession. Experts propose tax reform and low-carbon investment incentives to support sustainable growth.
New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester
Professor Andrew Fry will present his latest research on understanding cell division and its role in human diseases, including cancer. His work aims to identify proteins that can target specific tumours while leaving other cells unharmed.
Eating fatty fish and marine omega-3 fatty acids may reduce risk of heart failure
A large study found that eating fatty fish once a week reduces the risk of heart failure in men by 12%, while moderate intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids also has a protective effect. However, no significant benefit was seen with higher intakes of either food group.
Representative Hinchey receives award for support of science
Representative Hinchey recognized for his strong support of a national research portfolio that invests in all sciences. He has been a long-time champion for the agricultural and biological sciences, recognizing their key role in addressing society's challenges.
Increasing levels of rare element found worldwide
Dartmouth researchers found a significant increase in rare element osmium worldwide, tracing it to platinum refinement and catalytic converters. The team measured osmium in precipitation, surface water, and deep water globally, with most of the findings linked to industrial processes.
DNA of uncultured organisms sequenced using novel single-cell approach
Researchers have successfully sequenced the genomes of two uncultured flavobacteria using a novel single-cell approach. This technique allows for the analysis of minute quantities of DNA and has potential applications in biotechnology and understanding microbial communities.
New study shows widespread and substantial declines in wildlife in Kenya's Masai Mara
A new study reveals widespread and substantial declines in wildlife populations in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. The researchers found that a growing concentration of human settlements near the reserve is linked to large losses of wildlife, including giraffes, hartebeest, impala, and warthogs.
International honor for University of East Anglia ocean researcher
Dr. Karen Heywood has made significant advancements in understanding the ocean's role in climate change, using novel research methods and data analysis. She will be honored with the Georg Wüst Prize at the European Geophysical Union assembly in Vienna.
Major international study challenges notions of how genes are controlled in mammals
A major international study by the FANTOM consortium has found that genes are not controlled by 'master regulators' as previously thought. Instead, a more subtle and coordinated approach is needed for cellular differentiation and cancer development.
Polar pioneers of Earth and Mars receive American Geographical Society awards
The American Geographical Society (AGS) awarded national medals to polar explorers, including Matthew Henson, who accompanied Robert Peary on the 1909 expedition to the North Pole. Peter Smith, principal investigator of NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission, received an award for his work exploring Mars. Researchers also recognized for saving th...
New technique that scrambles light may lead to sharper images, wider views
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new method that scrambles light to capture more detail in images. By leveraging nonlinear optical materials, the technique can create high-resolution images without sacrificing wide-angle perspective.
See salad, eat fries: When healthy menus backfire
Research at Duke University found that adding healthy options to menus can have the opposite effect, causing consumers with high self-control to make drastically worse choices. The study suggests that significant effort is needed from both food service providers and customers to promote healthy behaviors.
Charred meat may increase risk of pancreatic cancer
Research suggests that well-done meats cooked at high temperatures using frying, grilling, or barbecuing methods can form carcinogens linked to pancreatic cancer. Studies found that those who preferred very well done steak had a 60% increased risk of developing the disease.
Mayo Clinic researchers find agents that speed up destruction of proteins linked to Alzheimer's
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified two chemicals that can increase the activity of a molecule called insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which helps break down proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that activating IDE may offer a new therapeutic approach for treating and preventing the disease.
Rifampin kinetics poor in children
A study published in BMC Medicine found that standard doses of Rifampin, a first-line antituberculosis drug, result in low serum concentrations in children. The researchers suggest increasing the dose to 10-20mg/kg may be more effective. This could lead to increased treatment duration and risk of relapse in severe forms of tuberculosis.
Peregrine's PS-targeting antibodies highlighted in AACR Annual Meeting studies
Preclinical studies highlight PS-targeting antibodies' ability to reverse immune suppressing effects of tumors, change tumor microenvironment, and mobilize immune cells. These findings suggest that PS-targeting antibodies facilitate a cytokine shift in the tumor environment, encouraging multiple types of immune system cells to mount an...
Moms who breastfeed less likely to develop heart attacks or strokes
Postmenopausal women who breastfed for at least a month had lower rates of diabetes and high cholesterol. Longer durations of breastfeeding resulted in significant reductions in heart attack risk, with those nursing for over a year being 10% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
'Smart bomb' drug delivery may increase effectiveness
Researchers developed a smart bomb-like drug delivery system that combines imaging with chemotherapy for prostate cancer treatment, showing promise in reducing tumor cells.
Light scattering technology may hold promise for quickly determining chemotherapy's effectiveness
A study at Duke University Medical Center has led to the development of a new technique that uses light scattering to determine whether chemotherapy is working. The method, called angle-resolved low coherence interferometry, measures changes in cellular structure following treatment with chemotherapeutic agents.
Sugar on bacteria surface serves as base for a web of resistance
Scientists identify Psl as key component in Pseudomonas biofilm development, enabling bacterial cells to resist efforts to kill them. The discovery offers new potential therapies targeting the sugar to prevent biofilm formation.
Sexual harassment from males prevents female bonding, says study
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that sexual harassment from males prevents female fish from forming social bonds with each other. The researchers discovered that male harassment not only breaks down female social structures but also affects females' ability to recognize one another.
Microparticle immune response modifier shows broad effects against recurrent or metastatic cancer
Innate Therapeutics' novel microparticle-based immune response modifier MIS416 significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in lung and breast cancers. Administered as an adjunct to localized tumor irradiation, MIS416 demonstrated synergistic activity against recurrent lung tumors.
Power steering for your hearing
A new study by University of Utah researchers reveals that tiny hair-like tubes atop hair cells in the ear act as flexoelectric motors to amplify sound mechanically. This discovery sheds light on how humans can hear very quiet sounds, and may also have implications for our sense of balance.
Think memory worsens with age? Then yours probably will
A recent study by North Carolina State University researchers found that senior citizens' ability to remember suffers when negative stereotypes about aging and memory loss are activated. However, those who do not feel stigmatized exhibit significantly higher levels of memory performance.
Online reporting system could track surgical complications
A Web-based reporting system helped identify four event patterns from morbidity reports and three from near-miss reports, addressing issues like chest tube placements and nurse-to-physician communications. However, under-reporting was disappointing, with only 27.2% of readmissions and 41.6% of inpatient deaths reported.
The life histories of the earliest land animals
Researchers at Uppsala University and colleagues analyze fossil upper arm bones from ancient vertebrates, revealing two distinct life histories. Ichthyostega, a more terrestrial animal, undergoes significant changes in limb shape and muscle attachments as it grows, while Acanthostega remains aquatic with less dramatic transformations.
Now where did I leave my car? How the brain translates memory into action
A study in PLOS Biology found that the intermediate hippocampus plays a critical role in translating rapid place learning into behavior. The researchers used a water maze experiment to test rats and found that disabling a specific region of the hippocampus impaired their ability to return to a platform.
Universal coverage may narrow racial, ethnic and socioeconomic gaps in health care
A Harvard Medical School study found that universal coverage can narrow health disparities among racial and economic groups. Among individuals age 65 and older with Medicare coverage, socio-demographic gaps in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels decreased substantially.
MSU scholars to help reform Pakistan's teacher-education system
A team of MSU researchers will support the creation of a standard curriculum for four-year baccalaureate education degrees at Pakistani universities. The goal is to improve teacher training and skills, addressing low literacy rates and negative perceptions of teaching as a career.
Breakfast choices impact hunger and calorie consumption throughout day
Research from Experimental Biology 2009 found that eating eggs for breakfast can reduce hunger, daily caloric intake, and BMI in adults. Additionally, protein-rich breakfasts can help teens control appetite and reduce post-meal hunger.
Agent Orange exposure increases veterans' risk of aggressive recurrence of prostate cancer
A study of 1,495 veterans found that those exposed to Agent Orange had a nearly 50% increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence and more aggressive cancers. This highlights the need for closer monitoring and timely intervention in these patients.
New imaging technology reveals prevalence of 'silent' heart attacks
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used new imaging technology to discover nearly 200,000 people in the US suffer 'silent' heart attacks each year. These unrecognized myocardial infarctions are linked to a surprisingly high risk of untimely death and may be more common than previously believed.
Complications, death rates similar at bariatric surgery centers of excellence, other hospitals
A study analyzing 19,363 patients found no significant difference in mortality rates or complications between bariatric surgery centers of excellence and other hospitals. However, these centers performed more procedures annually, resulting in higher costs per patient.
Our brains make their own marijuana: We're all pot heads deep inside
Scientists discovered brain proteins bind to and activate THC receptors, similar to marijuana, sparking hope for new treatments for pain, appetite stimulation, and reduced marijuana abuse. The study may lead to effective drugs with fewer side effects.
Targeted agent shows promise in biliary cancer study
A phase II study led by Ohio State University researchers has found a targeted agent to be effective in treating advanced biliary cancer. The study showed that the agent, AZD6244, achieved an average progression-free survival of 5.4 months and stable disease in many patients.
Human lung tumors destroy anti-cancer hormone vitamin D, Pitt researchers find
Human lung tumors can destroy Vitamin D, a hormone with anti-cancer properties, according to a new study. The researchers developed a test to measure Vitamin D levels in tissues and blood, which could help identify the best approaches to maintain therapeutic levels of Vitamin D.
Climate change means shortfalls in Colorado River water deliveries
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that human-caused climate change will reduce the Colorado River's capacity to deliver water, leading to shortfalls 40-90% of the time by 2025 and doubling by the late century. The study suggests that reducing average water use could help sustain the system.
Snatched from the air
Researchers have created a novel reaction scheme to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into methanol with minimal energy input. The method utilizes an N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst and silane as the reducing agent, enabling the use of air-borne CO2 as a renewable resource.
Genetic analysis may predict risk of invasive bladder cancer
A genetic analysis revealed that variants in the iNOS gene may predict the risk of recurrence among patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. Patients with the variant allele had a significantly longer survival time, up to 96.7 months, compared to those without the variant.
Shopping behavior: Consumers flock together, but don't necessarily buy
A new study found that consumers are attracted to crowded store zones but are less likely to make a purchase once they arrive. Longer shopping times lead consumers to become more purposeful and focused on specific product categories.
Fat droplet nanoparticle delivers tumor suppressor gene to tumor and metastatic cells
A new nanoparticle has been developed to deliver a tumor suppressor gene to cancer cells, restoring normal gene function and bypassing healthy tissue. This breakthrough method shows promise in reducing the probability of recurrent tumors.
Using tools requires that the brain is able to control movements
Researchers found that brain-lesioned patients with apraxia struggle to point at targets using a stick, indicating impaired movement coordination. The study suggests that the brain's ability to incorporate tools into movement is essential for everyday activities.
Self-assembled nanowires could make chips smaller and faster
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to create self-aligned and defect-free nanowire channels using gallium arsenide. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of higher performance transistors for next-generation integrated circuit applications.
Barely legal -- new study into whether alcohol affects perceptions of age
A new study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that consuming alcohol did not affect how men judged the age of women. In fact, researchers found that young females are typically viewed as being older than they actually are. However, make-up and alcohol consumption did have an impact on attractiveness ratings, with you...
National study finds nearly 1 in 10 youth gamers addicted to video games
A national survey of 1,178 American youths aged 8-18 found nearly one in 10 to be pathological players, causing harm to their functioning. Pathological gamers exhibited symptoms such as excessive playing, poor grades, and health issues.
Best intentions: The presence of healthy food can lead to unhealthy choices
Consumers may feel they have fulfilled a healthy eating goal when choosing an unhealthy option, while the presence of a healthy choice draws attention to the least-healthy alternative. The study found that this phenomenon is more pronounced in individuals with high levels of self-control.
Antibody targeting the protein FGFR3 inhibits cancer cell growth
A team of researchers developed an antibody targeting FGFR3, which showed potent antitumor activity against human bladder cancer cells and t(4;14)-positive multiple myeloma cells. The antibody also demonstrated activity against normal FGFR3 and mutated forms associated with cancer.
6 young ASU faculty earn NSF Career awards
Six Arizona State University faculty members have earned NSF Career awards for their groundbreaking research projects. Junseok Chae is developing protein-based biosensors, while Yi Chen aims to unlock the Internet's hidden data reservoir. Hanqing Jiang seeks to harness carbon nanotubes for practical applications.
Too much sugar is bad, but which sugar is worse: Fructose or glucose?
A study found that consuming fructose-sweetened beverages increased intraabdominal fat and decreased insulin sensitivity, while glucose-sweetened beverages had no significant effects. This suggests that fructose may be more detrimental to health than glucose.
New data on the breakdown of the KRas protein
Researchers at IDIBAPS and University of Barcelona discover a new breakdown pathway for the KRas protein, which is actively transported from cell membrane to lysosomes. This finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies against cancer and diseases involving abnormal lysosome formation.
Florida Tech professors earns $411,000 NASA grant to study the final frontier of the solar system
Florida Institute of Technology professors Ming Zhang and Hamid Rassoul receive a $411,000 NASA grant to investigate the physics of particle transport in the distant heliosphere. The IBEX spacecraft mission will observe particles from beyond Pluto's orbit, providing insights into cosmic rays and future human space travel.