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Science News for November 1, 2010


Peptide being tested to treat atherosclerosis inhibits ovarian cancer growth

A study found that a peptide being tested to treat atherosclerosis significantly inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer in human cell lines and mouse models. The peptide, an apoA-I mimetic, was shown to be effective when administered via injection or ingestion, with minimal side effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2010

Non-medical prescription drug use more common among rural teens than city dwellers

A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that non-medical prescription drug use is more prevalent among rural teens compared to urban peers. The study analyzed data from 17,872 adolescents and found that 13% of rural teens reported ever using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes, compared to...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateNov 1, 2010

New data from Phase 3 studies showed superior SVR (viral cure) rates achieved with telaprevir-based combination therapy in people with hepatitis C, regardless of race or stage of liver disease

New data from Phase 3 studies demonstrated telaprevir-based combination therapy achieved higher viral cure rates (75%) compared to current therapies, with significant improvements in response to treatment across various patient groups. African Americans and those with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis also showed improved SVR rates.

Having oral sex increases likelihood of intercourse among teens

A new survey conducted by researchers at UCSF and UC Merced found that half of teens who have oral sex during the ninth grade will have intercourse by the end of the 11th grade. The study also suggests that oral sex can influence the onset of riskier sexual behavior, highlighting the need for comprehensive sex education programs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateNov 1, 2010

Study of babies' brain scans sheds new light on the brain's unconscious activity and how it develops

A study of 70 babies' brain scans found that their brains already have adult-equivalent networks at birth, including the default mode network involved in introspection. The research suggests that conscious introspection may be more complex than previously thought, with other factors also playing a role.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2010

X-ray crystallography reveals structure of precursor to blood-clotting protein

Using x-ray crystallography, researchers at Saint Louis University have revealed the molecular structure of the zymogen form of thrombin, a precursor to the active enzyme involved in blood clotting. This discovery provides crucial information about the activation mechanism and opens new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2010

Quantum computing with braids in flatland

Researchers at Bell Laboratories have created braided anyons that can withstand disturbances and store quantum information, potentially dispending with error prevention methods. The findings suggest that two-dimensional braids could lead to more robust quantum computing schemes.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 1, 2010

Majority of community facilities performing breast MRI exams meet ACRIN and EUSOBI technical requirements

A study by the American College of Radiology found that nearly all US community facilities performing breast MRI exams meet ACRIN and EUSOBI technical requirements. The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium data revealed excellent adherence to equipment recommendations, with 94% of scanners using a dedicated breast coil.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateNov 1, 2010

Radically simple technique developed to grow conducting polymer thin films

A team of UCLA chemists and engineers has developed a new method for coating large surfaces with nanofiber thin films that are both transparent and electrically conductive. The technique, published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, uses a solution-based approach and can be applied to virtually any surface.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2010

'Training away stereotypes'

A study by Saleem Alhabash and colleagues found that individuals conditioned to reject racial stereotypes showed increased attention to commercials with black actors, while those in the affirmation condition decreased their attention. This paradigm demonstrates the power of media training in shaping audience responses.

Lead poisoning maps in R.I. reveal huge disparities, guide cleanup

A Brown University-led study reveals significant geographic disparities in lead poisoning rates across Rhode Island, with some areas experiencing rates as high as 48.6% among young children. The analysis highlights the need for targeted cleanup efforts to address these disparities and mitigate the long-term effects of lead poisoning.

SourceBrown University·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateNov 1, 2010

Scientists uncover a genetic switch that turns immune responses on and off

Researchers identified a novel negative regulator called eye transformer that controls the flow of information from chemical signals to genes in the cell nucleus. When this regulator is turned off, the JAK/STAT pathway hyper-activates, leading to conditions such as cancer, severe immune deficiencies, and autoimmune diseases.

UCI non-small cell lung cancer study highlights advances in targeted drug therapy

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that crizotinib caused tumors to stop growing, shrink or disappear in 57-33 percent of patients with a specific genetic mutation. This represents a significant improvement over the current standard treatment, which has a response rate of around 15 percent.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 1, 2010

Males more considerate than imagined

Researchers found that plugged females mated just as often and were more attractive than unplugged ones. Plugging improved female fitness by increasing egg production, suggesting a male's act may be beneficial to its partner. The study reveals new insights into the reproductive behavior of nematode worms.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateNov 1, 2010

Diverse surgeons initiative effectively increases underrepresented minorities in academic surgery

A grant-funded program has helped increase the number of underrepresented minority surgeons in academia, with 86% of graduates acquiring fellowship training. The Diverse Surgeons Initiative addresses healthcare disparities by providing advanced minimally invasive surgery skills to qualified candidates.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateNov 1, 2010

US nuclear safety claim is a 'dangerous fantasy'

Research published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists warns that US missile defense systems are not reliable and would not be effective in combat conditions. The authors propose a new drone-based system as an alternative, which could reliably intercept long-range ballistic missiles before they reach their targets.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·DateNov 1, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 1, 2010

Researchers have identified a potential new drug combination for treating diffuse large B cell lymphoma and found potential therapeutic targets for Noonan syndrome. The combination of an inhibitor of BCL6 with either an HDAC protein or Hsp90 protein showed enhanced killing of cancer cells in vitro and potent suppression of tumor growth...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2010

Toothache more common among minority and special needs children

A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that approximately 10.7% of U.S. children experienced a toothache in the previous six months. Toothache was most common among black and multiracial children, poor children, and those with special health care needs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateNov 1, 2010

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that patient age may diminish the death benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Moderate to severe pain was common in patients' final years, especially for those with arthritis. E-cigarettes pose a new challenge for physicians counseling patients to abstain from nicotine due to safety concerns and potentia...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 1, 2010

Study: Race plays a minor role in forging Facebook friendships

A new study by Harvard University sociologists found that old-fashioned social pressure is the strongest attraction in determining who befriends whom on Facebook. Shared ethnic backgrounds and geographic origins also played a significant role in forming friendships. Meanwhile, race appears to be less important than initially thought.

SourceHarvard University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateNov 1, 2010