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Science News Archive November 2010 - Page 21


Page 21 of 27

Massachusetts Institute of Technology IDs new cancer drug target

Researchers at MIT identified a new cancer drug target by shutting down an enzyme that controls DNA repair, which can enhance the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy drugs. The findings suggest that inhibiting this enzyme may help treat difficult cancers resistant to ordinary treatments and prevent drug resistance.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 8, 2010

Graphene gets a Teflon makeover

Researchers at the University of Manchester have created fluorographene, a one-molecule-thick material similar to Teflon with chemical inertness and thermal stability. The team hopes to use it in electronics, such as LED devices and ultra-thin tunnel barriers, while retaining mechanical strength.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalSmall·DateNov 8, 2010

Researchers in Bonn find an 'altruism gene'

A study published in Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience found that a specific genetic variant, COMT-Val, is associated with an increased willingness to donate. Participants with this variant donated twice as much money to charity compared to those with the other variant, COMT-Met.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateNov 8, 2010

New insect birth control strategy zaps cotton pests

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a novel approach to controlling pink bollworm pests in cotton fields. By combining pest-resistant cotton with the controlled release of sterile moths, they have virtually eliminated the pest from Arizona, allowing growers to maintain high yields without spraying insecticides.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 7, 2010

UCLA researchers discover a potential target for therapy for patients with a deadly prostate cancer

Researchers found that the protein N-cadherin is upregulated in prostate cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy, making it a potential target for therapy. The study suggests that a monoclonal antibody targeting N-cadherin may be effective in treating this aggressive form of prostate cancer.

McMaster scientists turn skin into blood

Scientists at McMaster University have discovered how to make human blood directly from adult skin cells, bypassing the need for a pluripotent stem cell conversion. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for patients in need of blood transfusions, reducing reliance on donor matches and increasing access to life-saving therapies.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature·DateNov 7, 2010

Dabigatran is as effective as warfarin in preventing stroke in patients with prior transient ischaemic attack or stroke and has a lower risk of intracranial bleeding

A new anticoagulant drug dabigatran has been found to be equally effective as warfarin in preventing stroke in patients who have previously had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. The study also showed that dabigatran has a lower risk of intracranial bleeding compared to warfarin.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateNov 7, 2010

Specialization builds trust among Web users

Researchers found that participants trusted specialized technology more than general websites and recommendation agents, with cumulative interaction increasing trust. The study suggests mental shortcuts, such as heuristics, contribute to the perception of expertise and trustworthiness in labeled e-commerce tools.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateNov 5, 2010

Real-time physician electronic alerts reduce unnecessary blood testing in elderly patients

A Kaiser Permanente study shows that electronic alerts can significantly reduce unnecessary D-dimer tests for elderly patients, resulting in a 69.7% decrease in orders. The alerts, which explain the test's inaccuracy in older adults, were implemented in eight primary care clinics and maintained throughout the study period.

SourceGolinHarris International·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateNov 5, 2010

Overweight children have different eating patterns than normal weight children

A recent study found that overweight children in Norway consume more healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish, but also drink more juice and sugary soft drinks than their normal-weight counterparts. The research highlights the importance of balancing food choices with physical activity to manage weight gain.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 5, 2010

Chefs can create reduced-calorie restaurant foods

According to Penn State researchers, 72% of chefs surveyed said they could trim off 10% of calories from meals without customers noticing a difference in taste. Adding water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can help reduce calorie counts while maintaining nutrient intake.

SourcePenn State·JournalObesity·DateNov 5, 2010

Understanding diabetes at the molecular level

Scientists have identified a crucial protein complex called TORC 2 that plays a significant role in insulin signaling and is linked to both diabetes and cancer. The study found that activating this complex is essential for cells to take up sugar from the blood, and that it may hold potential as a new target for treating type II diabetes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2010

'Prima donna' protein doesn't work well in pairs

Researchers find that kinesins, powerful cargo-moving proteins, struggle to coordinate their efforts when paired, leading to inconsistent cargo transport. This discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms governing intracellular transport and its link to neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateNov 5, 2010

Breakthrough in cancer vaccine research

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that a type of stromal cell found in many cancers expresses fibroblast activation protein alpha, which suppresses the immune response. Destroying these cells allows the immune system to control tumours, paving the way for improved immunological therapies.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateNov 4, 2010