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Science News for July 9, 2009


Diets bad for the teeth are also bad for the body

Research suggests that diets high in fermentable carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, can lead to dental decay and contribute to chronic systemic diseases. A diet low in these carbohydrates may improve cardiovascular markers and reduce body fat. Dental problems can serve as an early warning sign for dietary imbalances.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJul 9, 2009

Toward an explanation for Crohn's disease?

A study has found that a mutation in the NOD2 gene may predispose individuals to Crohn's disease by impairing the immune system's ability to recognize and fight off mycobacteria. The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, highlights the potential for new therapeutic approaches to combat the disease.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 9, 2009

JNCI news brief: Breast cancer hormone receptor status and risk of a second primary tumor

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found women with hormone receptor-negative first tumors have twice the risk of developing a second breast cancer compared to those with HR-positive tumors. The research also identified a five-fold increase in risk of a second hormone-receptor negative breast cancer.

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

4 from Penn State receive PECASE awards

Four Penn State researchers, Sean Hallgren, Adam Smith, Michael Hickner, and Susan Parks, will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their outstanding work in quantum computation, cryptography, polymer chemistry, and bioacoustics.

'Uphold the ban'

The World Bank has reaffirmed its support for the ban on tiger trade and called for the phasing out of tiger farms to protect wild tiger populations. The organization urges countries to continue banning domestic trade of wild tigers, citing economic and conservation concerns.

Dialysis safe for kidney patients' heart health

A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that dialysis does not affect the heart health of kidney disease patients who have had a heart attack. Researchers identified predictors of high risk, such as potassium levels and patient condition severity.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 9, 2009

Einstein scientists link elevated insulin to increased breast cancer risk

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a strong association between elevated insulin levels and increased breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Women with higher insulin levels were more than twice as likely to develop breast cancer compared to those with lower insulin levels, especially among lean women.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateJul 9, 2009

Tossing a coin in the microcosm

Physicists at the University of Bonn have demonstrated a quantum walk, a superposition of heads and tails states in an atomic 'coin', and found unusual effects when observing the particle. This research paves the way for new algorithms, including search processes, that can process information much faster than classical methods.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009

Telomeres resemble DNA fragile sites

Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that telomeres resemble fragile sites in DNA, where replication can stall. A protein called TRF1 helps prevent this by removing unusual structures from telomeric DNA, allowing smooth progression of DNA replication.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateJul 9, 2009

Newborn brain cells show the way

Researchers discovered that newborn neurons in the hippocampus help separate individual events and form temporal relationships, improving spatial memory. This breakthrough sheds light on the purpose of neurogenesis and its role in adult brain function.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009

Addition of probiotics to functional foods does not improve severe malnutrition outcomes for African children

A randomized controlled trial found that adding probiotics to conventional high-energy ready-to-use therapeutic foods did not improve nutritional cure rates or reduce mortality in severely malnourished African children. However, the study suggests a possible observation of reduced outpatient mortality in HIV-positive children.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 9, 2009