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Science News for May 22, 2009


Online educational empowerment

Research suggests that online educational empowerment enables learners to acquire knowledge efficiently through social networks. However, individual self-governance is key to success in these communities. The study explores how personal factors like goals, communication skills, and IT skills affect learning outcomes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Web Based Communities·DateMay 22, 2009

TB -- hiding in plain sight

Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades the immune response by promoting regulatory T cells, which suppress the host response. This compartmentalization leads to chronic disease rather than complete eradication of the infection.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMay 22, 2009

Results of phase I trial of novel herbal therapy for men at high risk of prostate cancer

A phase I clinical trial of Zyflamend, a novel herbal therapy, demonstrates its safety and tolerability in men with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), a precursor to prostate cancer. The study confirms that Zyflamend is well-tolerated when administered orally for up to 18 months.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Society for Integrative Oncology·DateMay 22, 2009

Scientists announce top 10 new species, issue SOS

The International Institute for Species Exploration announced the top 10 new species discovered in 2008, including a pea-sized seahorse, caffeine-free coffee, and bacteria that live in hairspray. The list also includes the world's longest insect, the world's smallest snake, and a ghost slug from Wales.

SourceArizona State University·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateMay 22, 2009

Canadian men reluctant to consult mental health services

A recent study published in the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research found that Canadian men are reluctant to seek mental health services, with avoidance rates ranging from 20-70%. The primary cause cited is prejudice, which affects how men perceive their symptoms and social roles, leading to a reluctance to utilize services.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalThe Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research·DateMay 22, 2009

A novel marker of colorectal carcinoma

A novel marker of TSPAN1 has been identified as a significant prognostic indicator for patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. The protein's expression was found to correlate with histological grade, cell proliferation, lymph nodal metastasis, and TNM staging, leading to a shorter survival period in those with overexpression.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 22, 2009

Tips from the American Journal of Pathology

Two studies in the American Journal of Pathology demonstrate stromal caveolin-1 as a prognostic marker for breast cancer progression, correlating with reduced metastasis levels. Additionally, researchers have identified novel biomarkers for chronic kidney disease progression, predicting progressive renal fibrosis and glomerular filtrat...

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMay 22, 2009

New 3-D structural model of critical H1N1 protein developed

Researchers at the Bioinformatics Institute in Singapore have created a 3D structural model of the neuraminidase protein, which is critical to the H1N1 influenza A virus. This breakthrough analysis revealed extensive surface mutations compared to closely related strains, making previous flu vaccinations less effective. The study also f...