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Science News for April 20, 2010


Association of fiber and colorectal cancer risk differs depending on dietary assessment method

Researchers found a significant association between high fiber intake and reduced colorectal cancer risk when using food diaries, but no association was found with food frequency questionnaires. The study suggests that accurate measurement of dietary components remains a challenge in studies of diet and cancer risk.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 20, 2010

Carbon nanotubes boost cancer-fighting cells

Researchers at Yale University found that carbon nanotubes cause T cell antigens to cluster in high concentrations, stimulating the body's natural immune response. This breakthrough could improve current adoptive immunotherapy for cancer treatment by increasing T cell proliferation.

SourceYale University·JournalLangmuir·DateApr 20, 2010

Who is at risk for MRSA?

Long-term elder care residents, HIV-infected and hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of carrying MRSA in their noses. The study found varying quantities of MRSA, with some individuals having as few as 3 colonies and others up to 15 million.

SourceLifespan·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateApr 20, 2010

An artificial eye on your driving

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed advanced algorithms to enhance camera systems in cars, enabling faster detection of pedestrians and other moving objects. The system can recognize people from other vehicles and create a model that reacts almost instantly, potentially doubling down as a tool for autonomous vehicles.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateApr 20, 2010

Does foreign policy help or hinder global health?

The intersection of foreign policy and global health interests can prioritize certain health concerns over others. Global health diplomacy is being used as a means to further foreign policy objectives, such as improving security or projecting power.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 20, 2010

Low heritability of tinnitus

A new study published in Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery reveals that the relative importance of genetic factors in tinnitus is low. The research found that environmental factors account for 89% of tinnitus variance, with only 11% attributed to genetic effects.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateApr 20, 2010

Study provides new insights into the implications of autism onset patterns

Children with early developmental warning signs may face lower risk for poor autism outcomes than those who experience a loss of skills, study finds. Researchers examined 2,720 parents and found significant differences in development, symptom severity, and educational needs among children with three patterns of autism onset.

SourceKennedy Krieger Institute·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateApr 20, 2010

Designer threads: New insight into protein fiber assembly

Researchers have gained new insight into protein fiber assembly, providing a potential route to temporal control of fibers with future applications in biotechnology and nanoscale science and medicine. By manipulating conditions, they were able to demonstrate the ability to manipulate fibrous structures with some precision.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateApr 20, 2010

Preoperative/neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer

A systematic review of 111 studies involving 4,394 patients found that a third could undergo resection after neoadjuvant therapy, with similar survival rates to those judged resectable before treatment. The study suggests including locally advanced/unresectable tumors in neoadjuvant protocols.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 20, 2010

Bone-eating worms 30 million years old

Researchers at Kiel University discovered fossil whale bones with 0.5mm circular boreholes matching those of living Osedax worms, dating to 30 million years ago. The findings confirm that boneworms are at least 30 million years old and were feeding on whale bones during this period.

SourceKiel University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2010

Advance made in thin-film solar cell technology

Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important breakthrough in producing thin film absorbers for solar cells using continuous flow microreactors. This innovative technology could significantly reduce the cost of solar energy devices and material waste, making it a game-changer for sustainable solar cell manufacturing.

SourceOregon State University·JournalCurrent Applied Physics·DateApr 20, 2010

The sweet smell of aging

Researchers identified carbon dioxide as an odorant that alters physiology and affects aging in fruit flies. Flies incapable of smelling CO2 live longer and are resistant to stress. This finding suggests a potential link between sensory perception and aging, with implications for human health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 20, 2010