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Science News Archive August 2011 - Page 5


Page 5 of 27

The Homburg Cream and Sugar study

The Homburg Cream and Sugar study reveals a correlation between triglyceride and glucose tolerance with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Postprandial triglyceride levels were found to be strongly correlated with glucose metabolism, particularly in those with normal glucose tolerance.

Little plant tells big stories

A study published in Nature has decoded the genetic variation of Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant used in research. By analyzing 19 strains of this plant, scientists have gained insight into its ability to adapt to different environments and climates.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateAug 28, 2011

Results from the 17-country PURE study

The PURE study found extreme under-use of proven secondary CVD prevention therapies worldwide, particularly in middle and low-income countries. Common medications like aspirin and statins were under-utilized seven-fold between high and low income countries, highlighting a massive treatment gap.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 28, 2011

'Smelling' heart failure

A German team has developed a new non-invasive method to identify heart failure using an electronic nose, which can detect the condition with 89% sensitivity and 88% specificity. The study screened over 250 patients and found that the method was effective in distinguishing between different stages of heart failure.

Primary results of the ARISTOTLE trial

The ARISTOTLE trial shows apixaban reduces stroke by 21% and major bleeding by 31% compared to warfarin, without significant increases in bleeding risk. The study's benefits are consistent across various patient subgroups and settings, offering a promising alternative for treating patients with atrial fibrillation.

'The Dish' finds a 'diamond planet'

A team of astronomers using CSIRO's radio telescope discovered a small planet made of diamond orbiting an unusual star called PSR J1719-1438. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of binary systems and the formation of 'diamond planets', which are thought to be composed of crystalline material.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateAug 28, 2011

Going with the flow

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered that oocytes rely on an intracellular flow to push the meiotic spindle into place, setting the stage for asymmetric cell division. This finding may lead to improvements in selecting promising oocytes for in-vitro fertilization.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateAug 28, 2011

Atherosclerosis is not limited to the heart

The new ESC guidelines on peripheral artery disease emphasize the need to assess patients with coronary artery disease for symptoms or asymptomatic atherosclerosis in other vascular areas. The guidelines also highlight the importance of considering multisite artery disease and the overall clinical status of patients.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateAug 27, 2011

Floating houses

Dutch company Dura Vermeer has developed a floating house technology using light plastic foam and composite materials, allowing for larger structures without losing buoyancy. The innovation has potential to help countries affected by climate change and rising sea levels, such as small island-states.

SourceEUREKA·DateAug 26, 2011