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Science News Archive June 2009


Page 1 of 26

Measurements fail to identify TB patients who could benefit from shorter treatment course

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center found that two simple clinical measurements failed to identify TB patients who could benefit from a shorter treatment course. The study involved over 1,000 TB patients in Africa, Brazil, and Asia, but ultimately showed that these measures w...

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 30, 2009

A bird's eye view of art

A study published in Animal Cognition found that pigeons use both color and pattern cues to judge the beauty of art, similar to humans. The birds were trained to recognize 'good' paintings and could discriminate between different textures, such as watercolor and pastel.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJun 30, 2009

Study provides greater understanding of lyme disease-causing bacteria

Researchers analyzed joint fluid samples from patients with Lyme arthritis, identifying bacterial strains and finding correlations between OspC typing and clinical outcomes. The study suggests that certain B. burgdorferi genotypes, particularly RST1, may induce a more marked immune response leading to persistent joint inflammation.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJun 30, 2009

Bad medicine

A commentary in JAMA explores how US healthcare's emphasis on providing services can lead to direct and indirect harm. The authors argue that this focus can cause excessive healthcare use and spending, diverting resources away from education and environmental quality.

Anti-biotech groups obstruct forest biotechnology

The development of genetically modified trees is being obstructed by anti-biotech groups and regulations that prioritize process over product. Researchers argue that a regulatory environment focused on scientific case-by-case assessments is necessary to unlock the full potential of forest biotechnology.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 30, 2009

Caregivers may benefit from adult day care

Adult day care can help alleviate caregiver stress by lifting responsibility for a few hours, promoting sleep and well-being in those cared for. The study will assess the impact of day care on caregivers' health and stress levels over three years with 180 participants.

Your own private global warming

Researchers found that Antarctic species are already near their upper temperature limit, making them vulnerable to ecological imbalances. Smaller individuals can tolerate higher temperatures, while active predators fare better than sessile species, potentially disrupting the food chain and leading to greater ecosystem damage.

Zooming in to catch the bad guys

A new video 'perfection tool' from Tel Aviv University can enhance raw video images to identify suspects, improving the odds of locating terrorists or identifying criminal suspects. The tool uses algorithms to stabilize images, allowing objects that are really moving to be distinguished from chaotic atmospheric changes.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 30, 2009

The sound of light: Innovative technology shatters the barriers of modern light microscopy

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed a new technology that allows for high-resolution imaging of tissue depth using sound waves. The technique, called multispectral opto-acoustic tomography, uses flashes of laser light to create small shock waves, which are then analyzed to generate detailed images of internal organs and tissues.

Risk of tuberculosis from arthritis medication examined

A new study examined cases of TB associated with anti-TNF therapy and found that the risk of TB is higher for patients receiving anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy. The study also showed that the risk of TB was higher during the first year of anti-TNF treatment, favoring the reactivation of latent TB.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJun 30, 2009