Science News

Collaborations with various media allow us to create a bank of science news of relevance to the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities and give a venue that our scientific members can use to keep their communities informed and engaged with science.

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In this section you can find: news written by members of the CienciaPR team and written by other news media and which are reproduced with permission from the original source.

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Public transport and environmental urbanism

Submitted on 28 April 2007 - 7:25pm

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

Any public environmental policy that proposes an efficient soil use and a greenhouse gases reduction, a rescue of natural and agricultural areas or ecological corridors, should be tied to an urban policy that supports pedestrians and public transportation. A compact and walkable city, with good public transportation should be recognized as a central element of the 21st century environmental strategy. This implicates a readjustment of our traditional ways of understanding the environmental objective. In spite of the huge environmental impact of cars and its spread out urbanism, we barely associate public transport and pedestrian urbanism as central elements of an environmental strategy. For example, the Tren Urbano (Urban Train, Puerto Rico’s train system) nor AMA (Metropolitan Buses) have capitalized in the importance of climate change to become options of ecological transport.

MAC establishes connection between science and art

Submitted on 27 April 2007 - 9:43am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), in Santurce, recently announced the Stara of the program “De la mano: la ciencia y el arte” (Going hand in hand: science and art), a cultural briefcase. This program integrates subjects on biotechnology and contemporary art in a format that allows bringing the Museum to schools and communities. This project is sponsored by the Amgen Foundation. It is a project where scientists and artists have come together to propose solutions to current problem through research, experimentation or sensible expression. With these first collaborations, the program tries to drive one of the projects objectives: establish the relationship that arts and sciences have had through history. The cultural briefcase “De la mano: la ciencia y el arte”, has two parts: biotechnology and art in disease control and biotechnology and art in environmental conservation. Presentations of “De la mano: la ciencia y el arte” in schools, communities and corporation will be offered by appointment. Each presentation is about an hour long. The cost for services in the Metropolitan area is $400, $450 around the Island and $350 at MAC. For more information and reservations you can call al (787) 977-4030 ext. 242, fax (787) 977-4036, or email: edu@museocontemporaneopr.org.

Asthma affects 2 out of every 10 Puerto Ricans

Submitted on 26 April 2007 - 11:58am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

In Puerto Rico, asthma prevalence has significantly increased in the past years, reaching 19% in 2006, 7% higher than in the United Status. Pediatric asthma has a prevalence of 33%, which means that 1 of every 3 children suffer this disease. Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. Periodically it causes wheezing, lack of air, chest pressure and cough during the night or early in the morning. The Department of health in Puerto Rico considers the condition a “serious public health problem” given both its increasing prevalence and the high mortality rates: an average of 160 deaths a year. Most of the asthma-related deaths occur in people 55 years or older and highest prevalence occurs in young people 18 to 24 years old. “This is the second most prevalent condition, the first cause of hospitalization and the fourth cause of physician consults”, said Wanda Hernandez, spokeswoman for the Department of Health. The Department of Health will have an activity on May 1st, 2007, at the American Military Academy in Guaynabo, celebrating World Asthma Day.

Fungus endangers our coqui

Submitted on 26 April 2007 - 10:01am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

Climate change, caused by human activities, presents a threat for our coqui’s survival. This is according to Professor Rafael Joglar, an expert in coquies, in the first day of the International Gaia and Climate Change Conference in the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. In his talk, doctor Joglar explained that the proliferation of the pathogenic fungus known as Bd (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) attacks the amphibians’ skin, including coquies and kills them. Joglar said that the extinction of 3 of the 17 known endemic coqui species in Puerto Rico is associated, among other things, to this fungus. Bd’s proliferation is related to climate change, he added.

Experts talk about changes and challenges of the pharmaceutical industry

Submitted on 26 April 2007 - 9:38am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

Experts from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Pharmaceutical Industry Association of Puerto Rico (PIA-PR) will talk about the “Changes and Regulation Challenges in United States and Internationally” at the 5th Regulatory PIA-FDA Conference, on May 3rd, 2007 at the Condado Plaza Hotel. The conference that will go from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is aimed for the pharmaceutical industry in general, but specially to those in quality control and regulation. For more information or to register you can visit PIA's webpage

Legislation against Global Warming

Submitted on 26 April 2007 - 9:11am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

Since 2005, 16 legislative projects have been created in Puerto Rico that in one way or another World help to fight global warming. Fortunately there are some of these measures that are still alive and that most definitely could turn Puerto Rico in an ally against global warming. Many of these projects are related to the encouragement and incentive of the acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles. However, other projects, like the House Project 3414 that would create the Special Law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to Implement Gas Emission Reduction and Global Warming Control, are being considered.

The difference is in the shoulders

Submitted on 26 April 2007 - 9:01am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

In Puerto Rico there is an endemic bird very similar to the greater Antillean grackle (Quiscalus niger) that is not commonly seen because it is an endangered species: the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus). The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is different from other blackbirds in the Island, like the greater Antillean grackle and the Puerto Rican oriole, because it has a yellow patch in the shoulders. It is also different because it’s in the endangered species list. Estimates indicate that during the 1970’s there were around 300 individuals left in the Island. Today, estimates show that the population has increased to more than 1,200 individuals. However, the potential dangers for its survival are still present: its habitat loss, and nest parasitism by the Shiny Cowbird.

Seven minutes in the dark

Submitted on 24 April 2007 - 2:52pm

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

Puerto Ricans can change daily attitudes to help stop global warming. Encourage recycling, use energy efficient bulbs, reforest, reduce the use of disposable products, increase the use of local products, are only a few recommendations made by experts in the subject.

Symposium on Scientific Research @ UCC

Submitted on 24 April 2007 - 9:37am

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

The Universidad Central del Caribe celebrated the Second Scientific Research Symposium, in which the institution’s centers presented their research findings. The Neuroscience Center presented preliminary findings about a molecular mechanism denominated 4R. The study, which has been developed for various years, pretends to demonstrate that damage caused by a stroke can be reduced. On the other hand, the Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology talked about studies in the fight against cancer. They talked about a study on compounds found in red wine and grapes that could reduce metastasis. The Center for Addiction Studies talked about a successful project which main purpose is to reduce the HIV risk in injected drug users through motivational talks and programmed access to clinical services.

New Vice-president in Amgen

Submitted on 19 April 2007 - 1:48pm

This article is reproduced by CienciaPR with permission from the original source.

Amgen, the biggest biotechnology company in the World, announced the appointment of Emilio Rivera as the Vice-president of Operation of Amgen Puerto Rico. Native of Rio Grande and a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, Rivera has more than 20 years of experience as a leader in te manufacturing sector, implementing innovation that has resulted in the growth of operations and personnel under his supervision.

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