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Science News Archive May 2009 - Page 20


Page 20 of 22

Pfizer shows support for open access

Pfizer has partnered with BioMed Central to cover publication costs for its researchers, making their research results universally accessible. This move follows the lead of major funders such as the National Institutes of Health and Wellcome Trust, which have implemented policies for open access.

How social insects recognize dead nestmates

UC Riverside entomologists discover that Argentine ants use a different mechanism to recognize dead nestmates, triggered by the dissipation of life chemicals. The researchers found that live ants produce both life and death chemicals, while dead ants only produce death chemicals, leading to their removal from the colony.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2009

Little or no evidence for some swine flu interventions

The Lancet Editorial highlights the lack of evidence for some swine flu interventions, including culling pigs, restricting pork trade, and distributing facemasks. Experts emphasize the need for timely and accurate information dissemination to healthcare professionals, particularly in pandemic preparedness.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 5, 2009

True grit

Researchers discovered that the teeth contain crystals of magnesium calcite, which are smaller, harder and denser than those of pure calcite. The unique arrangement of these crystals in two different arrays allows them to be self-sharpening as they wear down.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2009

New data analysis shows possible link between childhood obesity and allergies

A new study has found a positive association between obesity and allergies in children and adolescents, with obese kids being 26% more likely to have allergies. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and found that IgE levels were higher among obese children.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 4, 2009

Hypothyroidism in women associated with liver cancer

A new study published in Hepatology found that women with a history of hypothyroidism are at a significantly higher risk of developing liver cancer. The study revealed that subjects with a prior history of hypothyroidism had twice the risk of liver cancer, particularly for females, and those who had it for over 10 years had a threefold...

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateMay 4, 2009

Exercise programs may improve symptoms in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Researchers found that exercise programs significantly reduced lung cancer symptoms in patients who completed the study, with no deterioration in functional capacity or muscle strength. The study suggests that community-based or shorter exercise programs may be more feasible for lung cancer patients to complete.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMay 4, 2009

Georgetown University's Howard J. Federoff, M.D., Ph.D., receives Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award

Howard J. Federoff has received the Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award from the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) for his significant contributions to the field of neural therapy and repair. The award recognizes his research on gene therapy and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.