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Science News for August 13, 1999


Sleep plays role in managing childhood chronic pain

Research highlights the importance of sleep in managing childhood chronic pain, including its effects on physical health and mental well-being. Behavioral treatments such as relaxation techniques and distraction methods can also help improve children's sleep and reduce pain symptoms.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateAug 13, 1999

Study shows obesity adds years to real age

A new study of over 300,000 people found that obesity significantly increases the risk of premature death by 5.9 and 6.4 years for men and women aged 40-50, respectively. Optimal weight remains the same across different age groups, with excess weight artificially adding years to real age.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateAug 13, 1999

Infant pain may have long-term effects

Newborn infants who experience painful and stressful treatments exhibit long-term effects on their pain perception and stress response. These effects can be permanent, altering the infant's physiological and behavioral reactions to pain.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateAug 13, 1999

Novel chemistry induced by ultashort laser pulses

Researchers use ultrashort laser pulses to activate a critical surface reaction, allowing for the oxidation of CO molecules on transition metal surfaces. This novel approach enables the system to rapidly transfer energy into the oxygen-metal bond, outpacing desorption processes and unlocking new chemical pathways.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 1999
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Two new culprits cause strawberry blight

A study by UC Davis scientists reveals that two organisms - a fungus and a bacterium - cause blossom blight in strawberries. The fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides renders the fruit unattractive, while the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae causes occasional fruit loss, mainly of minor economic importance.

SourceUniversity of California - Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources·JournalCalifornia Agriculture·DateAug 13, 1999

Response to cocaine linked to biological clock genes

A new study reveals that genetic mechanisms controlling the biological clock are also involved in cocaine sensitization in fruit flies. The research provides valuable insights into the development of treatments for cocaine addiction and may lead to discoveries about other physiological processes controlled by so-called 'clock' genes.

SourceNIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 1999

Visions of supermaterials and self-assembly

Breakthroughs in self-assembly and supermaterials could lead to extraordinary applications such as artificial body parts, ultraresistant coatings, and high-definition television screens. Five experts will share their discoveries that could jump-start new marvels in materials technology.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 13, 1999

Keeping one’s distance not always a bad thing: repulsion between quantum dots helps determine lasing characteristics, researchers find

Researchers have discovered that quantum dots repel each other, which may govern their self-organization and be crucial for controlling dot characteristics. This effect can help form more uniform and orderly arrays of dots, leading to improved lasing frequency and intensity.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 13, 1999
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Science or fiction? Local professor investigates

Dr. Jack Stocker discusses his new book, Chemistry and Science Fiction, at the American Chemical Society's national meeting. The presentation highlights the relationship between science and its depiction in science fiction, a common theme in works like Star Wars and Star Trek.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 13, 1999

American Chemical Society hosts Pacifichem 2000

The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies will explore cutting-edge research in therapeutics, materials, and astrobiology. Over 179 symposia are planned to foster industrial development, improve environments, and enhance the well-being of people from Pacific Rim countries.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 13, 1999
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Scientists image key steps in bacterial infection

Researchers have obtained X-ray images of crucial steps in bacterial infection, revealing the structure of pili and adhesins that enable bacteria to cling to tissue. The findings provide new insights into the development of effective antimicrobial strategies and vaccine candidates.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 1999

Stanford scientists use noise to sort proteins

Researchers create device that harnesses thermal fluctuations to separate membrane-associated molecules, providing a novel approach for studying cellular processes. The invention builds upon previous work on Brownian ratchets and utilizes microfabrication techniques to manufacture the device at an affordable cost.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 1999

Single switch triggers two immune system genes

Researchers discovered that neighboring RAG1 and RAG2 genes are controlled by a single genetic control signal, explaining their long-lived partnership in the immune system. This finding has implications for understanding gene evolution and regulation.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 1999