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Science News for January 13, 1999


NYU Scientists Build Nano-Robotic "Arm" Prototype From Synthetic DNA

Researchers at New York University have successfully constructed a machine from synthetic DNA molecules, featuring two rigid arms that can be rotated between fixed positions. This achievement marks a significant step towards developing nano-robots and molecular manufacturing capabilities.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature·DateJan 13, 1999

Women With Cancer Want More Control

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 21 women with cancer, revealing their experiences with alternative and complementary therapies. The study highlights the importance of patients having better information about treatment options, including a mix of conventional and holistic approaches.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateJan 13, 1999

Vibrating Cells Could Be The Ultimate In Noninvasive Screening

A new imaging device, Hall Effect Imaging (HEI), uses ultrasonic emissions to highlight variations in electrical conductivity between healthy and diseased tissue, offering a faster alternative to painful biopsies. HEI has high specificity, ruling out false positives, and could complement MRI technology.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 13, 1999
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Visual Environment Can Affect Even Healthy Eyes --- Nature Works With Nuture For Good Vision

Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center discovered that the visual experience of one eye influences the growth and quality of vision in the fellow eye. The study found that environmental factors play a significant role in eye development, suggesting a potential cure for myopia and related eye problems.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateJan 13, 1999

Even People Who Are Completely Paralysed Can Teach Their Brains To Type

Researchers have developed a device that allows paralyzed patients to write sentences on a computer screen using their brain waves. The system uses slow cortical potentials, which are recorded more reliably than other components, and enables patients to control a cursor and select characters from a panel.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 13, 1999

Researchers Discover Mechanism That Drives Daily Body Rhythms

A team of scientists has discovered a genetic mechanism controlling the inner workings of the biological clock, which also drives bodily rhythms such as temperature, blood pressure, hormones, and sleep-wake cycles. The findings may lead to more efficacious treatments for diseases like heart attacks and asthma.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateJan 13, 1999

Study: Calcium Supplements Appear To Protect Against Colorectal Cancer

A new study found that calcium supplements moderately reduced the risk of recurring polyp growth in the colon and appeared to lower the risk of colon cancer. The study involved 832 patients who received 1200 milligrams of calcium carbonate daily for four years, with a 24% decrease in polyp numbers and a 19% decrease in recurrence risk.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 13, 1999
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A Woman's Egg Can Be Freezer Friendly, If You Go Easy On The Salt

Biologists have successfully developed a new method for preserving human eggs using a choline-based solution, which allows for higher survival rates compared to traditional methods. The breakthrough could pave the way for easier egg banking at fertility clinics and improve chances of motherhood for women with damaged ovaries.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 13, 1999

University Of Georgia, Ukraine Sign Agreement

The University of Georgia and the Ukrainian government have signed an agreement to establish a permanent International Radioecology Laboratory in Chornobyl, Ukraine. The laboratory will focus on studying the biological and ecological impacts of radioactive fallout from the 1986 nuclear accident.

SourceDOE/Savannah River Ecology Laboratory·DateJan 13, 1999

Culturally Relevant Behavioral Intervention Dramatically Reduces STDs

A culturally relevant behavioral intervention significantly reduced new cases of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among African-American and Mexican-American women. The study found a 34% lower infection rate at six months, 49% by the end of year one, and 38% overall.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 13, 1999