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Poorly controlled diabetes could lead to dementia in the elderly

Poorly controlled diabetes seems to cause cognitive problems in the elderly, a new study reports. The researchers determined that the main reason why diabetic people age 60 and older scored low on a cognitive function test was because of improper management of their disease. ?We knew that there was an association between diabetes and dementia in older people,? said Yousef Mohammad, a study co-author and an assistant professor of neurology at Ohio State University. ?But we found out that there is a difference in cognitive capability between diabetics whose disease is under control and those whose disease isn?t adequately controlled.?

Depression may worsen high blood pressure

Depressed people with high blood pressure are less likely to have their blood pressure under control than those who are not depressed, researchers reported today at the XVth Scientific Meeting of the Inter-American Society of Hypertension, which is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association’s Council for High Blood Pressure Research.

Sometimes in science no news is good news

Sometimes finding out what doesn?t matter in science is just as important as finding what does. That?s the case for a study that looked at the function of the viral protein, MTase1. Researchers found that the rate of virus replication in tissue culture was not affected when MTase1 was removed. The finding is important as researchers look for what proteins are essential and how they function in cells, potentially providing answers to everything from insect control to the control of human diseases such as smallpox.

U.S. settles Clean Air Act case against Toyota

The Department of Justice and the Environment Protection Agency finalized yesterday a settlement of the government’s lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corporation for Clean Air Act violations involving 2.2 million vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 1998. Under the settlement, Toyota will spend $20 million on a supplemental environmental project to retrofit up to 3,000 public diesel fleet vehicles to make them run cleaner and extend the emission control system warranty on affected vehicles. In addition, Toyota will accelerate its compliance with certain new emission control requirements, and pay a $500,000 civil penalty. The settlement will cost Toyota an estimated $34 million.

New corn pest control approved by EPA can cut pesticide use

After an intensive, multi-year scientific analysis, EPA has approved the use of a new plant-incorporated protectant designed to control corn rootworm, a widespread and destructive insect in the United States. This new product will provide corn growers with a safe, non-chemical pest control alternative that can reduce reliance on traditional insecticides. The reduced pesticide use will benefit the environment directly and can mean less exposure to people who apply chemical pesticides to corn.

Variety of casual acquaintances affects success and health

Knowing many kinds of people in many social contexts improves one’s chance of getting a good job, developing a range of cultural interests, feeling in control of one’s life and feeling healthy. Many know how important networking is, says researcher Bonnie Erickson, but the critical matter is the variety of acquaintances and not the mere number.

Heart gone haywire blamed in some sudden infant deaths

An electrical problem in the heart may cause one out of 20 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), researchers have reported.
The problem is similar to a heart condition called long Q-T syndrome that contributes to sudden death in young people and adults. In long Q-T syndrome, the heart electrically recharges itself too slowly or in a disorganized fashion in preparation for the next heartbeat. When combined with a trigger, such as intense emotion or physical exertion, a long Q-T heart can go out of control and cause cardiac arrest and sudden death.