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Science News Archive June 1998 - Page 3


Page 3 of 4

Researchers Find Potential For Ritalin Abuse In Schools

A study found that 16% of students with ADHD reported being asked to sell, give, or trade their medication. Researchers recommend stronger policies on medication use and dispensing to prevent potential abuse. Findings highlight the need for education and monitoring among parents, teachers, and healthcare providers.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateJun 14, 1998

Better Catalysts Could Bring Fuel Cells Down To Earth

Researchers develop new catalyst that significantly enhances methanol-air fuel cells' efficiency, enabling a more practical and sustainable power source. The breakthrough catalyst, composed of platinum, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium, presents a major improvement over existing platinum-ruthenium alloys.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateJun 12, 1998

Mr. Ples Throws Scientists Into A Tizzy

A new study on the fossilized skull of Mr. Ples, a relative of early humans, throws doubt on previous interpretations of brain evolution. The research suggests that some estimates of brain size in early hominids may be too high and that 3-D digital models can provide accurate measurements.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateJun 12, 1998

UNMC, Boys Town National Research Hospital Researchers Locate Gene That Causes Combined Deafness And Blindness

A team of researchers from UNMC and Boys Town National Research Hospital has identified the gene responsible for Usher syndrome Type IIa, a genetic disorder affecting 4 in 100,000 people. The discovery may lead to an eventual cure for the condition, which causes moderate to severe hearing loss and juvenile blindness.

Measuring Bonds In A Single Molecule

A team of Cornell University physicists successfully measured the frequency of atomic vibrations in a single molecule of acetylene, providing a new way to identify and study molecular bonds. This technique, called vibrational microscopy, has potential applications in understanding catalysts and biological molecules like DNA.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateJun 11, 1998

Damaged Minds

Researchers have found that stunted brain regions may cause severe autism symptoms, while smaller regions may lead to milder symptoms in close relatives. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to compare the brains of identical twins with and without autism.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJun 10, 1998

Bombs Away

Researchers have developed a system that detects trace amounts of TNT in seafloor sludge, enabling the identification of unexploded bombs. This technology could save time and resources in cleaning up sites contaminated with live explosives.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJun 10, 1998

Hubble Space Telescope Sees Expanding Nova Shells

Astronomers have discovered expanding gas clouds thrown off by nuclear eruptions in stars, which provide reliable distances to these stars. The Hubble Space Telescope has captured detailed images of two nova shells, revealing structure and asymmetry, including polar blobs and equatorial rings.

You Could Eat Your Dinner Off That...

A study by Pat Rusin and her colleagues at the University of Arizona found that toilet seats were consistently cleaner than kitchen surfaces, including sinks, tap handles, and chopping boards. The researchers believe this is due to the dry environment of toilet seats, which are less conducive to bacterial growth.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJun 10, 1998

New Gene Therapy Technique Results In Efficient Gene Delivery

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed a new gene therapy technique that efficiently delivers genes to targeted cells by linking viruses with specific receptors. The technique, which uses a protein bridge made of growth factor EGF and ALV receptor proteins, allows for precise targeting of cell types, including cancer cells.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 1998

Tracking Pulsars By Their Twinkle

Cornell University astronomers James Cordes and Barney Rickett have developed a method to calculate the speed and distance of extremely fast-moving neutron stars, called pulsars, by analyzing their twinkling rate. By combining data from two large radio telescopes, they can identify new pulsars and better understand their physics.

Tobacco Industry Campaign Contributions Influence State Legislators' Votes

A study by the University of California - San Francisco found that tobacco industry campaign contributions have a substantial impact on state legislators' voting patterns, particularly in states with varying levels of partisan control. The researchers scored legislators on a scale from pro-tobacco to pro-public health and found that in...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJun 9, 1998

Scientists Discover That Neutrinos Have Mass

Researchers at Boston University and Japan's University of Tokyo found evidence that neutrinos possess mass, contradicting the standard theory of particle physics. This discovery may impact our understanding of the universe's expansion and potential unification of particles and forces.

Entire Universe Captured In Computer Simulation, As Reported In 5 June 1998 Science

A team of astrophysicists and computer scientists has captured the entire observable universe in a computer simulation, depicting how gravity gathered ripples from the big bang into cosmic structures. This unprecedented model aims to better interpret data from large surveys and understand rarest structures in the cosmos.