Culture | Science Codex

Doctors say cutting sodium consumption essential to promoting public health

Reducing sodium intake is a major public health priority that must be acted upon by governments and nongovernmental organizations to improve population health, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Higher blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a diet high in sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, vascular and cardiac damage, stomach cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. Almost 1 billion adults worldwide have hypertension, and 17-30% of these cases can be attributed to excessive sodium consumption.

1500-year-old Aphrodite figurines discovered in Hippos

A 1,500-year-old treasure:Three figurines of Aphrodite, goddess of love, hidden during the era of the Roman Empire's transition to Christianity, discovered in Hippos (Sussita)*During the tenth season of excavations, under the directorship of Prof. Arthur Segal and Dr. Michael Eisenberg of the University of Haifa, a public building was also exposed, the first of its kind in Israel.*

Researchers say many breast cancer patients unaware of treatment options

A new study finds that there is little information available about the use of new testing technologies and targeted therapies in breast cancer, specifically the anti-cancer drug trastuzumab (Herceptin). Published in the November 15, 2009 issue of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the review suggests that many breast cancer patients who may benefit from trastuzumab are not receiving it, and that some women receiving the drug have never been tested for the receptor it targets.

After years of toil, sustaining change in education still a vexing problem

Researchers in the Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education (CEMSE) this year finished poring over more than 65,000 abstracts and nearly 600 full-text articles for insights regarding how to make lasting change in the literature of education, health, marketing, business and economics.

One of the articles pertained to sunscreen use in Australia. The article reported that it took 10 years for the researchers to see a positive change in sunscreen use.

Democrats seen as the 'undeserving rich' face rejection by party voters

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- In a recent study, researchers from several universities looked at why white working-class voters voted Republican in recent national elections even when they didn't like Republican policies.

The study, "The Undeserving Rich: 'Moral Values' and the White Working Class," is in the current issue of Sociological Forum, available online at http://tinyurl.com/qyefm9.

Fewer injection site reactions in patients using Avonex

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Sept. 11, 2009 – Data from an observational phase IV study of 499 patients entitled The Swiss MS Skin Project show that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking AVONEX (interferon beta-1a IM) reported significantly fewer injection site reactions (ISRs) compared to patients on Betaferon® (interferon beta-1b), Copaxone® (glatiramer Acetate) or Rebif ® (interferon beta-1a). The study also showed AVONEX patients were less likely to have missed a dose due to an injection site reaction in the four weeks prior to first assessment than those patients on other interferon therapies.

Patients taking Tysabri report improvement in physical and psychological well-being over time

Düsseldorf, Germany – Sept. 11, 2009 – Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced six-month results of an ongoing, one-year longitudinal, observational, patient-reported outcomes study showing multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking TYSABRI® (natalizumab) experienced an improvement in both their physical function and psychological well-being. Findings from the study, which was performed in conjunction with HealthCore Inc., a health-outcomes research company, are the first attempt to assess patient experiences with TYSABRI in usual-care settings.

Instanyl sets new standard in management of breakthrough cancer pain

Lisbon, Portugal 11 September, 2009 – New data presented today further demonstrate the efficacy of Instanyl in management of breakthrough cancer pain. The data which were presented at the 6th congress of the European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain (EFIC) are from a multinational, crossover trial comparing Instanyl with oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) for the treatment of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer. The study concludes that pain relief was significantly greater for Instanyl compared to OTFC at all time points:

Archaeology meets mythology in Mycenean Pylos

Clearing thick brush from a mound at his archaeological dig site in Pylos, Greece, Michael Cosmopoulos found a real-life palace dating back to the mythical Trojan War.

The palace is from the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 B.C.), famous for such mythical sagas as the Trojan War. It is thought to sit within one of the capital cities of King Nestor, a personality featured in the legends of the war.

Close-up of palace walls. Credit: University of Missouri-St.Louis

Tweeting, more than just self expression

From CNN to Ashton Kutcher everyone is tweeting. In ads, many companies now display the logo of an animated blue bird holding a sign that says "follow me."

Finding quality health care: Knowing the context of statistics makes a big difference

WASHINGTON — A hospital pneumonia survival rate of 93 percent may sound good, but knowing that it's actually merely "fair" can help people pick a better hospital, according to new research. A "good" survival rate would be from 95 percent to 98 percent, medical experts say.

Better use of quality-of-care ratings can lead to greater consumer control, more effective health-care choices, and provider competition over quality instead of cost, says a report published by the American Psychological Association.

MU engineers develop safer, blast-resistant glass

COLUMBIA, Mo. –To protect from potential terrorist attacks, federal buildings and other critical infrastructures are made with special windows that contain blast-resistant glass. However, the glass is thick and expensive. Currently, University of Missouri researchers are developing and testing a new type of blast-resistant glass that will be thinner, lighter and less vulnerable to small-scale explosions.

As H1N1 looms, study shows students aren't protecting themselves

As public health experts warn of potential widespread outbreaks of H1N1 flu this school year, a new study from North Carolina State University shows that students do not comply with basic preventative measures as much as they think do. In other words, the kids aren't washing their hands.

Routine screening for gestational diabetes: IQWiG finds indication of positive effect

Pregnant women who develop marked increased blood sugar levels during pregnancy can reduce the risk of certain birth complications if they receive treatment. This is a prerequisite for offering all pregnant women routine screening for gestational diabetes. However, potential disadvantages of this type of routine screening have not been thoroughly researched. This is the conclusion of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) in its final report published on 3 September 2009 and for which an English-language summary is now available.

Anti-smoking law helps waiters to quit smoking

Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology have studied the impact of the law banning smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants on those working in these places. The results are positive – 5% of waiters have stopped smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked by those who still smoke has fallen by almost 9%.