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Science News for August 2, 1999


Anger expression tied to situations

A new study found that anger expression fluctuates according to situational factors, rather than being a stable personality trait. State measures of anger expression were significantly associated with the person triggering anger, location, mood, and appraisal variables.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999

Enzyme-based method to isolate stem cells from umbilical cord blood shows promise

Researchers have developed a new method to identify and isolate stem cells from umbilical cord blood using an enzyme that changes a fluorescent tag. This technique could help investigate fundamental questions about stem cells and potentially improve success rates of stem cell transplants by eliminating unwanted mature blood cells.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 1999
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New trigger will aid in detecting bottom quarks

Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing a new trigger that can distinguish between interesting and non-interesting collisions in particle accelerators. The device will help identify collisions that create bottom quarks, providing essential information about fundamental rules for assembling matter.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateAug 2, 1999

New methodology reduces costs of monitoring contaminated sites

Researchers developed an optimization tool to reduce long-term sampling and monitoring costs at contaminated groundwater sites. The methodology combines simulation and plume-interpolation tools to accurately quantify contaminant mass while minimizing costs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateAug 2, 1999

Lab experiments reveal potential therapeutic target for degenerative brain diseases

Scientists at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories discovered a section of the prion protein that can prevent misfolding and progression to disease. This finding opens possibilities for therapy in animals and may one day help prevent degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Virology·DateAug 2, 1999

Reacting well to heart disease can help avoid future attacks

Researchers found that patients with higher cognitive adaptation scores were less likely to experience a new heart attack or other coronary event six months after their angioplasty. Patients' ability to cope positively with their illness and take better care of themselves may play a key role in reducing the risk of future heart attacks.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Nearby supernova may have caused mini-extinction, scientists say

Researchers suggest that a rare radioactive isotope found in deep-sea sediments may be evidence of a nearby supernova. The explosion could have caused a 'cosmic-ray winter' leading to mini-extinctions about 5 million years ago, with effects still detectable today.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNew Astronomy·DateAug 2, 1999

Keeping ships healthy

Researchers have developed a system to network up to 30 remote sensors along a single fiber optic cable, allowing for periodic assessments of structural strain. The Navy and Federal Highway Administration are exploring the use of this technology to schedule maintenance and update design codes.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateAug 2, 1999
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

One in seven adolescents still doesn't have health insurance

A recent study found that approximately 4.2 million adolescents had no health insurance coverage in 1995, leaving them with significant obstacles to accessing adequate healthcare. The study suggests that a shift from private to public insurance has not led to an improvement in health insurance coverage for this age group.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 2, 1999

UW-Madison team develops technique to create flu viruses

Researchers at UW-Madison have perfected a method for creating designer influenza viruses, which can be tailored to solve mysteries about flu strain mutations, spread, and illness. This technology may lead to more efficient influenza vaccines and safer gene therapies.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·DateAug 2, 1999

Improvements bring chemical oxygen-iodine laser closer to market

Researchers at the University of Illinois have improved the chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL), enhancing its performance and reducing operating costs. The device can now be scaled to high power levels and has a wavelength suitable for remote fiber-optic delivery.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateAug 2, 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.

Oxygen reduces effects of retinal detachment

Researchers found that oxygen supplementation can significantly reduce the effects of retinal detachment by protecting photoreceptor cells and limiting cell abnormality. This breakthrough suggests that ophthalmologists may want to consider providing oxygen therapy to patients diagnosed with retinal detachment while awaiting surgery.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology·DateAug 2, 1999

Meditation decreases blood pressure

Researchers found that long-term Transcendental Meditation practitioners experience reduced systolic blood pressure and vasoconstriction during meditation. This study suggests that Transcendental Meditation may help prevent high blood pressure in African American youth by reducing risk factors for heart disease.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999

Controlling the cupola to help the environment

A new sensing and control system is being developed to regulate melt rate, temperature, and iron composition in cupola furnaces, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Intelligent, Integrated, Industrial Process Sensing and Control System (I3PSC) has the potential to save 1500 tonnes of coke annually in the US alone.

SourceInstitute of Materials·DateAug 2, 1999

Population shifts, not storms, have caused rise in property losses

A study by Stanley Changnon and colleagues found no evidence of an increase in catastrophic weather events, despite rising property losses. The growth of losses is attributed to the increasing population in coastal and urban areas, leading to a larger target-at-risk.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateAug 2, 1999
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Afterburner reduces pollution

Researchers developed a novel afterburner technology that increases waste consumption in marine incinerators by a factor of 3.2 while reducing carbon monoxide emission by the same amount. The technology also eliminated visible smoke emission during operation.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateAug 2, 1999

Treatment for ADHD appears to reduce risk of substance abuse

A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that treated ADHD boys are one-third as likely to develop substance abuse or dependence compared to untreated peers. The research contradicts the myth that stimulant treatment could lead to future drug abuse.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 2, 1999
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Back pain and its benefits

A study found that patients with chronic nonmalignant back pain who received higher levels of economic and social rewards experienced increased disability, depression, and anxiety. Those with fewer rewards reported lower levels of these conditions.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999

Duke scientists reverse a rare form of muscular dystrophy in mice using gene therapy

Researchers have successfully reversed damage caused by Pompe disease, a rare inherited muscle-wasting disorder, in laboratory mice using a modified virus to deliver a therapeutic gene. The study's findings show promise for treating dozens of forms of muscular dystrophy and may lead to a continuous supply of enzyme production.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 1999

Immune system responds greater to uncontrollable stresses

New research reveals that uncontrollable stresses can severely affect the immune system by disrupting cytokine function and producing high levels of cortisol. In contrast, controlled stress responses result in brief, insignificant changes to immune activity.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999

DNA: A sloppier copier

Scientists have discovered a highly error-prone DNA copying system in bacteria that causes genetic mutations under ultraviolet radiation. This 'sloppier copier' reveals how cells can intentionally introduce mistakes to survive and evolve.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 1999

Conscientious heart patients less likely to die

A new study found that patients with higher levels of conscientiousness are less likely to die suddenly from cardiovascular disease. Patients who faithfully take their prescribed medication, such as amiodarone, are also more likely to engage in healthy behaviors like eating a heart-healthy diet and socializing.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Caregivers of mentally ill face risk of physical illness

A recent study found that caregivers of mentally ill individuals are at a high risk of physical illness, with the severity of symptoms predicting burden and infections. Social support played a crucial role in reducing caregiver burden and infections.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateAug 2, 1999

Children who play creatively early show best creativity and problem-solving later

A longitudinal study found that children who exhibited more imagination and emotion in their early play were more creative and better copers as they aged. The research suggests that early interventions can help young children develop essential skills for lifelong creativity and problem-solving.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalCreativity Research Journal·DateAug 2, 1999