Transmission of drug-resistant HIV-1
Researchers found drug-resistant viruses can circulate between individuals who haven
Science News Archive March 2009 - Page 4
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Exercise intensity and duration linked to improved outcomes for heart failure patients
A Henry Ford Health study found that increasing exercise parameters improves quality of life and reduces hospitalization and death risk in heart failure patients. Patients who exercised for 25 minutes at moderate intensity lowered their estimated risk by 10-25 percent.
Improved predictive value of biomarkers in HF makes earlier diagnosis and better management possible
Researchers have discovered two efficient biomarker applications that promise even earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of heart failure. Biomarkers N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cystatin C can identify patients at high risk, enabling targeted care and reducing healthcare costs.
Autism skews developing brain with synchronous motion and sound
Researchers found that individuals with autism tend to stare at people's mouths rather than their eyes due to the attraction of audiovisual synchrony. This phenomenon is more pronounced in toddlers with autism, who exhibit a strong preference for lip-sync, whereas unaffected peers focus on socially meaningful movements.
Skin cancer study uncovers new tumor suppressor gene
Researchers at the NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute have discovered a new tumor suppressor gene, MMP-8, that helps prevent melanoma growth. The finding may lead to more individualized cancer treatment strategies and improved outcomes for patients.
Genes that make bacteria make up their minds
Researchers have identified the DegU protein as crucial for bacterial decision-making in biofilms. This protein enables individual bacteria to switch between different physiological processes, such as movement and biofilm production, in response to environmental conditions.
Corrosion-inhibiting coatings containing 'good' bacteria
A new environmentally friendly coating has been developed using spores from a bacterium to prevent microbial corrosion of metals in seawater. The coating was found to be substantially more effective than existing treatments and could be heat cured at temperatures up to 90°C.
New molecular force probe stretches molecules, atom by atom
Chemists at the University of Illinois developed a molecular force probe to study the effects of stretching molecules, revealing counterintuitive results about chemical bond breaking rates. The technique allows researchers to explore the properties of transition states governing chemical transformations.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 29, 2009
Decreasing markers of inflammation is as important for statin action as decreasing LDL cholesterol
Researchers found that reducing high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and LDL cholesterol significantly reduces vascular events. Achieving both targets resulted in the largest reduction in cardiovascular risk, highlighting the importance of addressing inflammation in statin therapy.
Superbug risk to war wounded
Severe injuries on battlefields increase risk of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in war-wounded soldiers. Effective personal protective equipment and medical care have improved survival rates but not mitigated the risk of wound infections.
Dust may settle unanswered questions on Antarctica
Researchers found that dust blown to Antarctica from Patagonia provides vital information about glacier activity and past climates. The study suggests that the coldest periods of the last ice age correspond with the dustiest periods in Antarctica's past.
Mayo Clinic researchers discover and manipulate molecular interplay that moves cancer cells
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered the molecular interplay that enables invasive tumor cells to move and invade other parts of the body. By manipulating this process, they hope to develop treatments to stop cancer from spreading.
Surgery to reshape ventricle in heart failure patients offers no added benefit over bypass
A large international clinical trial found that surgical ventricular reconstruction did not reduce deaths and hospitalizations in heart failure patients, nor improve quality of life compared to bypass alone. The study, STICH, included 1,000 patients from 96 medical centers in 23 countries.
SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 29, 2009
Targeted drug therapy prevents exercise-induced arrhythmias
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that the clinically available drug flecainide prevents potentially lethal arrhythmias in patients with CPVT. In two patients, flecainide prevented exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and allowed them to live normal lives.
Getting down to cancer basics
Researchers identified a new cancer gene, UTX, common to many cancers and affecting gene regulation. The UTX protein modifies chromatin structure, altering histone modification and impacting gene activity.
Spreading antibiotics in the soil affects microbial ecosystems
Repeatedly, molecular microbiological techniques have found changes in soil bacterial communities after antibiotic use in intensive livestock production. Bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle are particularly affected, with persistent changes even after antibiotics break down.
Action video games improve vision
Research from the University of Rochester found that action video games can improve contrast sensitivity by 58% by training the brain to process visual information more efficiently. This finding suggests that gaming may not be harmful for vision and could potentially complement eye-correction techniques.
Top scientist aims for more discoveries and improved speed to market
Dr Crouch, a 2009 Advancing BioBusiness Award winner, seeks to improve scientific discovery in Australia through state-of-the-art assays and automation. He hopes to develop new tests for bio-markers of diseases like cancer, improving the efficiency of research in Australian university laboratories.
Drug-eluting stents found safe, superior to bare metal stents
The study found that drug-eluting stents are safer and more effective than bare metal stents in preventing deaths and heart attacks. Over a two-and-a-half-year follow-up period, patients who received drug-eluting stents had a 25% reduction in death and a 24% reduction in heart attacks.
SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 28, 2009
Adult stem cell injections may reduce pain and improve walking in severe angina patients
The study found that delivering a potent form of autologous adult stem cells into the heart muscle of patients with severe angina improved exercise tolerance and reduced episodes of chest pain. Six months after the procedure, treated patients were able to walk longer on a treadmill than those in the placebo group.
Extra 'STICH' in bypass adds no benefit to quality of life
Researchers found that surgical ventricular reconstruction did not improve patients' survival or quality of life, but increased hospitalization costs. The study compared outcomes between patients who received bypass surgery alone and those with added SVR, revealing no significant difference in quality of life measures.
Difference in fat storage may explain lower rate of liver disease in African-Americans
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that African-Americans tend to store fat in subcutaneous adipose tissues, which may protect them from insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This fundamental difference in lipid metabolism could lead to targeted therapies for populations prone to NAFLD.
Targeting oxidized cysteine through diet could reduce inflammation and lower disease risk
A team of scientists at Emory University School of Medicine identified a direct link between oxidative stress and inflammatory signals in the blood. They found that supplementing the diet with cysteine can reduce inflammation by blunting the impact of sepsis-like inflammation.
Discovery of tuberculosis bacterium enzyme paves way for new TB drugs
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered an enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is essential for its survival, paving the way for new TB drugs. The study identified NAD+ synthetase as a key target for developing structure-based inhibitors to combat latent and active TB infections.
Common fragrance ingredients in shampoos and conditioners are frequent causes of eczema
A study at the University of Gothenburg reveals that over 5% of individuals tested are allergic to linalool, a fragrance ingredient in many hygiene products. The risk increases with exposure, and EU legislation requires labeling of products containing linalool.
A 'sound' publication wins award
Tokuo Yamamoto, a University of Miami marine acoustics expert, won the 2008 Alan Berman Research Publication Award for his work on velocity dispersion and attenuation in New Jersey Shelf sediments. The award recognizes his research on high frequency acoustic waves interacting with silty-sand marine sediments.
SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateMar 27, 2009
Scientific abstracts -- 2009 Annual Assembly, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
A study exploring hospice availability in the US found that communities with higher proportions of wealthy and educated residents have greater availability. Hospices also struggle to deactivate implantable defibrillators for end-of-life patients, with few formal policies in place.
2 innovative University of Texas at Austin biologists become HHMI Early Career Scientists
Dr. Dan Bolnick and Dr. John Wallingford, two UT Austin biologists, join the HHMI Early Career Scientist program to explore innovative ideas in evolution and development. They will receive a six-year appointment with a $1.5 million research budget to investigate species coevolution and tissue morphogenesis.
Penn biologists demonstrate that size matters ... in snail shells
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that snail shells in the Atlantic Ocean have increased in size due to changes in local conditions, such as wave exposure and invasive species
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2009
Quails get super fit by simply eating omega-3 diet
A study found that quails fed an omega-3 fatty acid-rich diet for 6 weeks showed significant increases in aerobic capacity, similar to those seen in migrating sandpipers. The birds' muscle membranes revealed even distribution of the fatty acids, suggesting a non-selective allocation.
Statistical road safety
A report by Clara Fang and colleagues analyzed crash data before and after implementing traffic calming measures in Hartford. The study found that all safety features led to fewer crashes, with greater reductions on streets with higher initial crash rates.
SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications·DateMar 27, 2009
'Growing' solid science through diversity at University of Miami
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School has awarded funding to Drs. Paquita Zuidema and Lisa Beal, who will use their grants to improve communication skills among scientists from underrepresented groups. Dr. Beal's workshop aims to foster international collaboration in the Southwest Indian Ocean community.
SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateMar 27, 2009
New test may predict breast cancer metastasis
Researchers identify TMEM density as key to predicting distant organ metastasis in breast cancer. The new marker could enable custom-tailored therapies and prevent over- or under-treatment.
Fireflies and jellyfish help illuminate quest for cause of infertility
Genes from fireflies and jellyfish are used to light up cells expressing prolactin, a hormone linked to over 300 biological functions, including autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The technique helps scientists track prolactin production in real-time, shedding light on its role in the body.
Roberta A. Pagon receives lifetime award in genetics from March of Dimes
Dr. Roberta A. Pagon, a renowned medical geneticist, has received the March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award for her groundbreaking work in developing the public database genetests.org, which helps doctors analyze genetic tests for making informed medical decisions.
Study probes the economic impact of undiagnosed celiac disease
A recent study published in Journal of Insurance Medicine found that the economic impact of undiagnosed celiac disease is significant, resulting in cost savings for the healthcare system after diagnosis. The study suggests that increased awareness and diagnosis of celiac disease can lead to health care costs savings.
SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of Insurance Medicine·DateMar 27, 2009
MIT: 'Alarming' use of energy in modern manufacturing methods
A new MIT study finds that modern manufacturing processes are significantly less efficient in terms of energy and materials use compared to traditional industries. The research highlights the alarming levels of energy consumption by newer processes like microchip production, which uses up orders of magnitude more energy than making man...
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 27, 2009
A splice of life
A groundbreaking study at Brandeis University has shed light on a crucial step in the complex process of genetic encoding for the first time. The researchers report that they were able to crystallize a large complex of a macromolecular machine in the human cell and determine its structure, zeroing in on the process of RNA splicing.
Crabs' memory of pain confirmed by Queen's academic
A recent study published in Animal Behaviour has shown that crabs suffer from pain and retain a memory of it. The research found that shocked crabs were more likely to move towards new shells, indicating they recall the experience.
High dosage brachytherapy obtains excellent results in head and neck tumors
Research at the University of Navarra Hospital found that high-dosage perioperative brachytherapy effectively controls 86% of head and neck tumor cases after a seven-year follow-up. The technique reduces treatment time by two weeks compared to conventional radiotherapy, improving patient outcomes.
Risk of death at 5 years is lower, but bleeding risk slightly higher
Long-term follow-up of patients with coiled and clipped aneurysms reveals improved survival rates for coiled aneurysms at five years. However, the risk of rebleeding is slightly higher for coiled aneurysms in the first five years.
US and Portugal sign agreement for climate research collaboration
The US and Portugal have signed an agreement to launch a portable climate observatory on Graciosa Island in the Azores, which will measure cloud and aerosol properties for 20 months. This study aims to enhance scientific understanding of low-level marine clouds and improve climate models.
Team approach appears to work best for insect colonies
Scientists created a mathematical model to study cooperative groups of animals, known as superorganisms, which evolve through two scenarios: closely related individuals or policing-based control. This finding suggests that some animal groups can behave like united organisms.
Data suggesting that omacetaxine can eradicate leukemic stem cells may offer a breakthrough for CML
Researchers found omacetaxine killed 90% of leukemic stem cells in vitro and prolonged survival in test animals with resistant CML. The findings may open the door to developing a curative treatment strategy for some patients with CML.
Evolutionary origin of bacterial chromosomes revealed
Researchers discovered that second chromosomes in bacteria are formed from plasmids, challenging current understanding of genome evolution. The study provides a general model for how multichromosomal architectures evolved in the Rhizobiaceae family.
Respiratory risk from hospital cleaning fluids
A pilot study found potentially hazardous chemicals in hospital cleaning products, including quaternary ammonium chlorides and glycol ethers. The study highlights the importance of protecting workers and others from exposure to cleaning hazards, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces.
Dust plays larger than expected role in determining Atlantic temperature
A new study reveals that dust storms and volcanic eruptions have a significant impact on the Atlantic Ocean's temperature. The researchers used satellite data and climate models to find that changes in African dust storm and tropical volcano activity account for about two-thirds of the upward trend in recent decades.
Tiny but toxic: MBL researchers discover a mechanism of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease
Tiny, toxic protein particles severely disrupt neurotransmission and inhibit delivery of key proteins in Alzheimer's disease. The particles inhibit neurons from communicating with each other and with other target cells in the body.
SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 26, 2009
Federal funding gap cited for research on human health impacts due to climate change
Research suggests that global warming will worsen health problems like heat-related mortality and diarrheal diseases due to climate change. The US needs an estimated $200 million in annual funding to study these impacts and develop protective measures.
SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMar 26, 2009
New way to make stem cells avoids risk of cancer
A team of scientists has developed a new method to create stem cells with embryonic-like properties without using viruses, which can trigger cancer. This approach imports necessary genes on a small DNA circle and naturally disappears from the cell population over time.
2009 ESCEO-IOF Alliance for Better Bone Health Young Investigator Award presented to Dr. Nick Harvey
Dr. Nick Harvey received the 2009 ESCEO-IOF Alliance for Better Bone Health Young Investigator Award for his study on indices of intrauterine growth predicting postnatal development of skeletal size and volumetric density. The award recognizes outstanding research based on fetal growth measurements made between 19 and 34 weeks gestation.
Large users of zopiclone assessed as impaired
A new study found a positive link between high levels of zopiclone in the blood and impaired driving assessments. Researchers also noted that drivers with zolpidem had no such association, suggesting that these substances have varying abuse potentials.
Team IDs genesis of mass migrations
Researchers use Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS) to observe mass migrations of hundreds of millions of fish, revealing critical population density triggers synchronized movement. This breakthrough confirms theories about large groups of animals and provides valuable information for conservation of marine ecosystems.
More frequent treatment of children with trachoma could more effectively reduce infection
A randomized trial found that frequent treatment of children under 10 years old with azithromycin can decrease infection prevalence in older individuals and adults, demonstrating herd protection. Treatment frequency four times a year is comparable to treating the entire population once a year.
UW-Madison scientists excise vector, exotic genes from induced stem cells
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed a new method to generate induced human pluripotent stem cells (iPS) without using viral vectors or exotic genes. This breakthrough removes key safety concerns and genetic artifacts that could compromise therapeutic safety or skew research results.
Pest management specialist Charles Summers wins prestigious Woodworth Award
Charles Summers, a University of California entomologist, has won the prestigious Woodworth Award for his contributions to entomology. He developed economic thresholds and management strategies for various crops, reducing pesticide use and improving yields.
UF scientist tapped by Howard Hughes Medical Institute to pursue 'best ideas'
Martin Cohn, a UF developmental biologist, has been named an HHMI Early Career Scientist for his groundbreaking work on limb development and evolution. His research has led to new insights into the formation of human problems such as birth defects.
DNA repair mechanisms relocate in response to stress
Researchers at Emory University have discovered that DNA repair enzymes can relocate to specific areas of the cell in response to oxidative stress, which is linked to various human diseases. This finding could lead to the development of anti-cancer drugs that target DNA repair mechanisms.
Gene variants may determine lung function and susceptibility to maternal smoking
Researchers found specific gene variations affect lung function growth and susceptibility to environmental insults. Variants in GST genes correlated with poorer lung function and greater susceptibility to damage from maternal cigarette smoke during pregnancy.
SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 26, 2009
New MRI signaling method could picture disease metabolism in action
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new MRI signaling method that can visualize molecular changes inside the body, which may signal health problems such as cancer. This technique uses hyperpolarization to detect signals from molecules besides water, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions.