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Science News for April 28, 1999


Circumcisions In Doctors' Offices As Safe As Those In Hospitals

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that boys circumcised in a doctor's office fare equally well as those circumcised in a hospital operating room. The cost savings of having the procedure done in an office setting were estimated at $1,609 per procedure, resulting in an annual savings of $184,713.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateApr 28, 1999

NERSC Selects IBM RS/6000 SP For Next-Generation Supercomputer

NERSC's new IBM RS/6000 SP system will increase computing capabilities by over 400%, with a peak performance of 3 teraflops and 2,048 processors. The system will enable faster turnaround of results for users across the country, supporting large-scale scientific research in fields like climate modeling and materials science.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateApr 28, 1999

Study Reveals Prominent Fears Of School-Age Children

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that boys tend to fear animals, supernatural phenomena, and safety more often than girls, who fear natural phenomena such as thunderstorms and the dark. The study used human-figure drawings and questionnaires to assess anxiety levels in 86 children aged 8-12.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Pediatric Health Care·DateApr 28, 1999

National Science Board To Meet (May 5-7)

The National Science Board will hold an open session on May 6 and 7, covering topics such as swearing in NSB nominees, presentations of honorary awards, and committee charges. The agenda for May 7 includes annual business matters and a report from the CPP Task Force on the Environment.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateApr 28, 1999
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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Even When Wrong, Political Experts Say They Were 'Almost Right'

A study by Philip Tetlock found that experts often minimize errors and attribute successes to sound judgments, even when wrong. Despite being only correct half the time when 80% confident, experts retain confidence in their fundamental assessments.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateApr 28, 1999

Study Bolsters Theory Of Plant Nutrients Trapped In Soil

A study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that humic acid can trap nitrogen-containing proteins in soil, reducing their availability to plants. The process may be responsible for declining rice yields in Southeast Asia despite increased fertilizer use.

SourceOhio State University·DateApr 28, 1999

Bugs Can Ward Off The 'Bends'

Deep-sea divers may benefit from bacterial supplements that reduce dissolved hydrogen in their blood, mitigating the risk of decompression sickness. Researchers have found that methane-producing microorganisms can help alleviate symptoms.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateApr 28, 1999

Catalog Of Spiral Galaxies Shows Evidence Of Galactic Collisions

Researchers compiled a catalog of 200 nearby spiral galaxies and discovered that approximately 30% contain bar-shaped bands of stars, which are more common than thought. Infrared telescopes revealed the presence of these bars, indicating that galaxies have interacted with each other in the last 10 billion years.

SourceOhio State University·DateApr 28, 1999
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Study Suggests New Approach To Asthma

Researchers found that epithelial cells contain an anti-virus alarm system which triggers persistent inflammation in asthma. The study challenges the traditional view of asthma as an allergic response and suggests a new approach to treatment.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 28, 1999

Caring For The Aging Holocaust Survivor

A global conference at Baycrest Centre in Toronto brings together experts and survivors to address the specific needs of aging Holocaust survivors, while also learning from recent genocide victims in Rwanda. The event aims to provide health care professionals, academics, and families with coping strategies to deal with passed-on trauma.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·DateApr 28, 1999

Bees The Buzz In Landmine Detection

Researchers are developing a system to track and analyze bees equipped with radio frequency tags to detect explosives, which could aid in locating landmines. The technology aims to train bees to identify minute amounts of explosives, revolutionizing landmine detection.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateApr 28, 1999

Cultural Differences Affect Decision-Making, Study Finds

Researchers found that Japanese students used an intuitive process to make decisions, while Americans relied on 'number-crunching' and careful information processing. The study suggests that cultural differences play a significant role in influencing how people make decisions, with implications for global business.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateApr 28, 1999

Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Risk Of Hip Fracture In Older Women

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that underlying vitamin D deficiency in post-menopausal women is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. The researchers discovered that 50% of women with osteoporosis who suffered a hip fracture had previously undetected vitamin D deficiency.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalJAMA·DateApr 28, 1999
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

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Fermilab Physicist Elected To National Academy of Sciences

William Bardeen, a renowned physicist at Fermilab, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum field theory. His work on anomalies in quantum field theory and applications of the strong force has garnered international recognition.

SourceDOE/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory·DateApr 28, 1999

The Liver's Secret Of Regeneration

Bone marrow stem cells have been shown to form liver cells, suggesting a potential new approach for treating cirrhosis. Researchers at McGill University in Quebec discovered that cells from bone marrow can differentiate into hepatocytes, oval cells and bile duct cells.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateApr 28, 1999

Jumping Atoms At The Surface Of A Metallized Semiconductor

Researchers used helium scattering to probe the germanium surface at temperatures above 1000K, finding that it undergoes a structural phase transition from an ordered phase to another highly ordered phase. At this temperature, the surface becomes metallic and exhibits jump diffusion of adatoms, similar to liquid germanium.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 28, 1999