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Science News Archive June 2011 - Page 26


Page 26 of 28

UofL researchers uncover mechanism in saliva production

Researchers at University of Louisville identified a protein sorting mechanism used by the salivary gland, which could lead to advanced therapies for patients with damaged or non-functioning salivary glands. The study found that a specific lipid molecule, PtdIns(3,4)P2, plays a crucial role in sorting proteins into vesicles for secretion.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJun 2, 2011

Iron key to brain tumor drug delivery

Scientists at Penn State College of Medicine have created a new approach to treating brain tumors by targeting the ferritin protein with siRNA. By reducing ferritin levels in cancer cells, the sensitivity to chemotherapy can be increased, allowing for lower doses and potentially fewer side effects.

SourcePenn State·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 2, 2011

UF researchers suggest cholera vaccination strategies for Zimbabwe

The study's findings suggest that mass vaccinations deployed strategically could prevent future cholera epidemics in Zimbabwe and other nations. The research team analyzed how cultural, political, and economic factors influenced routes of transmission and identified funeral feasts as a key factor contributing to the spread of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 2011

For stressed bees, the glass is half empty

Researchers found that stressed bees display pessimistic judgment, expecting bitter tastes in unfamiliar scents, mirroring human-like cognitive bias. This study suggests that bees can be used as models for emotion research in invertebrates, potentially reducing animal welfare concerns.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 2, 2011

Eye on the environment

Researchers are working closely with indigenous communities to develop interventions to address the health impacts of climate change. Pilot projects include medicinal herb gardens, online traditional health knowledge banks, and agricultural training programs.

New bitter blocker discovered

Scientists from Monell Center and Integral Molecular have discovered a compound that inhibits bitterness by acting directly on a subset of bitter taste receptors, opening doors to better nutrition and therapeutic compliance. The discovery of probenecid as a bitter blocker may lead to the development of novel and more effective blockers.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 2, 2011

Depression and negative thoughts

A new study suggests people with depression struggle to turn their attention away from bad thoughts due to difficulties with working memory. Researchers found that individuals with depression took longer to reorder words in reverse order, especially when the words had negative meanings.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 2, 2011

Pulling a fast one

Research by Northwestern University and Wake Forest University found that fast disclaimers undermine consumers' trust in unfamiliar brands, while trusted brands remain unaffected. Trusted brands can use fast disclaimers without impact on purchase intention.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2011

Developmental disease is recreated in an adult model

Researchers successfully recreated Rett syndrome in adult mice by 'switching off' a critical disease-causing gene, challenging the notion that early expression of the gene protects against the development of symptoms. The study suggests therapies for Rett syndrome may need to be continuously maintained throughout an individual's life.

SourceRettsyndrome.org·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2011

Higher doses of radiation in fewer treatments proved safe, effective for low-risk prostate cancer

A multicenter clinical trial found stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to be an effective treatment option for patients with localized prostate cancer, delivering results in just five 30-minute sessions. The study's findings suggest that higher doses of radiation are safe and can lead to improved outcomes.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 2, 2011

Building a better dam map

A new, global database of large dams and reservoirs has been created to inform sustainable river-flow management. The Global Reservoir and Dam database (GRanD) contains information on 6,862 dams and their associated reservoirs, providing a holistic view of entire river basins.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJun 2, 2011

Examining the brain as a neural information super-highway

Researchers used internet traffic modeling to study brain networks, revealing that timing patterns of information emission are indicative of info flow. This method can be applied to study neurological development, aging, and disease, indicating a potential new approach in neuroscience.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 2, 2011

C-reactive protein levels predict breast cancer survival rates

Researchers found that increasing CRP levels resulted in increasingly poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate decreasing from 90% to 74% and deaths from breast cancer increasing from 11% to 20%. Elevated CRP at diagnosis remained predictive of overall survival rates even after excluding patients with suspected bacterial infections.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateJun 2, 2011

From pre-gut cells to glory

A research team at Caltech has outlined exactly how specific sets of cells in sea-urchin embryos differentiate to become the endoderm, the early domain of the embryo that eventually forms the gut. They found that certain regulatory genes are expressed in the cells of each domain and that this process is dynamic, with gene expression ch...

PrEP can significantly lower risk of getting HIV, but is the public buying?

A recent study found that high out-of-pocket costs were a significant factor in the public's willingness to use PrEP, outweighing its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection. Participants expressed a desire for a 100% effective pill and reported concerns over sexual risk disinhibition and stigma associated with PrEP use.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of STD & AIDS·DateJun 2, 2011

A drug combination extends survival in refractory lung cancer patients

Scientists have identified a drug combination that shows a survival advantage in advanced lung cancer patients who no longer respond to existing therapies. The combination of bexarotene and erlotinib broadens the reach to include patients resistant due to ras mutations, offering new hope for those with limited treatment options.

SourceSamuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateJun 2, 2011