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Indiana University


Insulin pumps effective for children with diabetes

A clinical trial found that insulin pump therapy was safe and well-tolerated in preschool-aged children with type 1 diabetes. Parents were also satisfied with the devices, with 95 percent continuing use after a six-month study. The benefits of insulin pump therapy are still being evaluated in terms of flexibility and convenience.

SourceIndiana University·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateOct 18, 2004

Indiana University, EPA to study airborne PCBs

Scientists at Indiana University and the EPA will study the circulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between the air and Great Lakes, aiming to inform new clean-up policies. Elevated PCB levels have led to fish consumption advisories for all five Great Lakes, with implications for human health.

Pain common side effect of depression

A study by Dr. Kurt Kroenke found that depression is a risk factor for pain symptoms, with muscle pain and headaches being two or three times more common in people with depression. Physical symptoms may not respond to antidepressant treatment as well as emotional symptoms, and can linger longer.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 24, 2004

Origins of blood vessel cells

Researchers from Indiana University have identified adult type stem cells that can be grown in large quantities and easily modified with genes. These endothelial progenitor cells show promise as a new gene therapy tool for treating circulatory problems, such as diabetes-related amputations and heart attack repair.

SourceIndiana University·JournalBlood·DateJul 1, 2004

Tackling medical schools' informal curriculum

The IU School of Medicine aims to integrate competency-based curriculum with the 'hidden curriculum' to improve practice and professionalism. The school's unique approach involves changing its culture to mirror the social context of care, teaching students about relationships and customer experience.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMay 11, 2004

Four IU professors are 2004 Guggenheim Fellows

Indiana University professors Christopher Beckwith, Mary Ellen Brown, Ellen Ketterson, and Loren Rieseberg have been awarded the prestigious 2004 Guggenheim Fellowships. The grants will support their research on topics including bird sexual behavior, plant species evolution, and Central Eurasian history.

Stem cells appear not to turn into heart cells

Research suggests that bone-marrow-derived stem cells do not differentiate into new heart muscle cells when injected into damaged hearts. Instead, they mature into traditional blood lineage cells. This challenges the idea of using stem cell therapy to repair damaged hearts and raises questions about alternative approaches.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNature·DateMar 21, 2004

Relearning to hear

Researchers found that gradual exposure to frequency-shifted sounds improved subject's ability to comprehend speech in cochlear implants. Brain scans revealed systematic changes in cortical responses after several hours of exposure.

Risk factors determine need for colonoscopy

Researchers developed a risk index to identify people at higher risk of finding advanced precancerous growths in the upper colon. The study found that older age, being male, and having certain types and sizes of polyps in the lower colon were associated with an increased probability of finding these growths.

SourceIndiana University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 15, 2003

American black cherry tree overruns Europe by playing dirty

A study by Indiana University researchers suggests that European soil microbes help the invasive American black cherry tree grow, while inhibiting native species. The research found that in Dutch greenhouses, sterilized soil led to poor growth of native cherry trees, but non-sterilized soil allowed the invasive species to thrive.

SourceIndiana University·JournalEcology Letters·DateDec 9, 2003

Self-management improves course of low back pain

A self-management program improved mental and physical functioning in low-income adults with low back pain. The study, funded by the NIH and VA, showed empowering individuals to deal with their pain through exercise and behavior changes significantly reduced symptoms.

SourceIndiana University·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateDec 2, 2003

A new hypothesis on the origin of 'junk' DNA

A new hypothesis on the origin of 'junk' DNA proposes that smaller population sizes in eukaryotes lead to a weakening of natural selection's potency, allowing extraneous genetic sequences to accumulate. This theory suggests that genetic drift is responsible for preserving junk DNA and other extraneous genetic sequences in organisms.

SourceIndiana University·JournalScience·DateNov 20, 2003

IU fruit fly scientists capture $20 million grant

The Indiana University-led FlyBase team will develop and maintain the public interface of the database, while the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center will provide prized Drosophila mutants crucial to various scientific fields. Over 12,000 scientists worldwide have authored papers about Drosophila in the past.