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Science News for October 3, 1997


Common Drug-Capsule Coating Not As Inert As Previously Thought

A recent study at the University of Illinois found that polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating can undergo attractive interactions with proteins, changing its configuration and potentially increasing biocompatibility. The discovery has significant implications for biomedical applications, such as implants and artificial scaffolds.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 1997

Demonstrations Work Better Than Videos At Showing Kids How To Interact

Young children who received direct instruction and demonstrations showed dramatic improvement in social skills, while those who watched videos worsened over time. The study suggests that teaching positive social skills through live demonstrations is more effective than relying on books and videos.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalFamily Relations·DateOct 3, 1997

Confident Committee Not Always Best At Solving Problem, Scholars Say

Researchers found that groups outperform individuals in solving subjective tasks, but group confidence can be unjustified. Confidence should be placed in context of the problem being solved, as objective issues may yield clearer results than complex problems with alternative solutions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateOct 3, 1997
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Brain-Activity Data Clarify Contradictions In Earlier Anxiety Research

Researchers have found that increased electrical activity in the right posterior of the brain reflects panic attacks, while more activity in the left frontal section is associated with worry. This study may clear up years of confusing research on anxiety.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateOct 3, 1997

New Way To Drive Chemical Reactions: Collision Of Liquids At High Speed

Researchers find that collision of liquids at high speed creates intense local heating, generating highly reactive intermediates for destroying contaminants in water. This method has potential as a simple way to purify water contaminated with low levels of chemical waste.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 3, 1997

Research Earns Humboldt Award For Rochester's Shaul Mukamel

Shaul Mukamel, a professor of chemistry at the University of Rochester, has received the Humboldt Research Award for his lifetime work on molecular dynamics and its applications in various fields. The award will enable him to conduct research in Munich with European colleagues.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateOct 3, 1997

Improved Solar Cell Efficiency In The Works

Researchers found that defects in silicon wafers, not grain boundaries, cause low efficiency; optimizing processes can remove contaminants and improve performance. The goal is to achieve 18% efficiency on the production line, a significant step towards making solar cells more profitable.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 3, 1997
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Further Proof That An Altered Rb-2/p130 Gene Leads To Lung Cancer

Researchers found a strong correlation between low levels of the Rb-2/p130 protein and aggressive, metastasizing lung cancer. The study's findings may lead to a new lung cancer tumor-grading test to enable early diagnosis and tailor treatments.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 3, 1997

Radiation Therapy Helps Children Survive Cancer

A recent study published in the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology found that children with soft tissue sarcomas who did not respond well to chemotherapy can benefit from radiation therapy. The treatment was shown to improve survival rates by up to 40% in this patient population.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·DateOct 3, 1997

Scientists Find New Trigger For Nerve Cell Death

Researchers found that potassium ions play a critical role in triggering programmed cell death or apoptosis in nerve cells. By blocking potassium channels, they may be able to prevent nerve cell death and reduce brain damage in patients with stroke, spinal cord injuries, or neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateOct 3, 1997

Inspection System Detects Damaged Tires And Promotes Safety

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a fast, low-cost inspection system that uses ultrasonic sound waves to detect damaged tires. The system can evaluate and characterize damage within the tire, determining its remaining useful life and whether it's worth retreading.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTire Science and Technology·DateOct 3, 1997
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.