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Science News Archive January 1999 - Page 2


Page 2 of 4

'National Water Initiative' Proposed

The National Water Initiative aims to address the US water crisis through collaboration among universities, states, and federal agencies. The initiative proposes decentralized research work at the state level, with $250 million in new funding for results-oriented research.

NICHD Child Care Study Investigators To Report On Child Care Quality

Researchers from the NICHD study found that day care quality is generally fair but can influence social competence. Parents have a significant impact on their children's development, regardless of childcare experience. Key findings include improved social behavior in high-quality care and increased cooperation with peers.

Measuring Scientific Research: New Accountability Requirements Pose Tough Questions For Researchers And Funding Agencies

Researchers face challenges in measuring creative activities like research due to lack of standard tools and concerns about burden of reporting. A study by Dr. Susan Cozzens suggests that mixed-panel reviews incorporating input from potential users can improve assessment methods, but simplicity and autonomy are crucial for basic research.

PLX Announces Plans To Revolutionize $3.5 Billion Patent Industry Through Global, Internet-Based Patent Auction Market

The Patent and License Exchange will facilitate safe and efficient transfer of quality patents and licenses through a sophisticated searchable database, transparent pricing model, and new patent insurance products. The company aims to reduce the cash value lost due to inefficient patent markets, estimated at over $500 million annually.

Non-Western Folk Belief: Another Way To View Procreation

A study on non-Western folk beliefs found that partible paternity is a common concept among indigenous groups in South America and New Guinea. This ancient tradition suggests that every man who contributes sperm during pregnancy biologically contributes to the child, challenging the long-held assumption of a single biological father.

Diabetes And Periodontal Disease Connection

People with diabetes are at increased risk of getting periodontal disease, which can lead to problems with blood sugar control and complications like vision problems and cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies show that people with severe periodontal disease are six times more likely to have poor glycemic control.

Poor Odds For Continued Recovery Among Addicts Who Start Young, Minorities, O/R Study Confirms

A recent study by researchers at UCLA and Catholic University found that younger addicts, particularly those from minority groups, have lower chances of long-term recovery. The study analyzed data from over 800 narcotics addicts in California and identified key factors influencing relapse rates, including age of first use and ethnicity.

Two-Incomers Want Less, Housewives More

A recent study by Cornell University sociologist Marin Clarkberg found that only 10 percent of couples prefer the traditional breadwinner/full-time housewife family model, yet 25 percent end up fitting this mold. Women are particularly affected, with many wanting to work part-time but unable to find opportunities due to the all-or-noth...

Mother Tongue Has A Say In Specific Language Impairment

A cross-cultural study of over 200 children with specific language impairment found that their native language affects the number and types of problems they face. The study suggests that creative use errors and grammatical principles are key to understanding the disorder, which prevents millions of children from keeping up in the class...

Bleached Coral Could Be Environment Warning

Hundred-year-old corals are succumbing to diseases they previously survived, highlighting the impact of rising ocean temperatures and worsening pollution on ecosystems. Researchers warn that as oceans become degraded, disease outbreaks and new pathogens may emerge, posing a significant threat to marine life.

Clouds Foretell Biggest Ozone Hole Ever

Scientists have found that unusually extensive stratospheric clouds over the South Pole contributed to the near-record-size ozone hole in Antarctica. POAM III measurements provide valuable insights into how Earth's ozone layer responds to global temperature changes and decreasing atmospheric chlorine levels.

Smart Cards For Pregnant Women

A study is testing smart cards for pregnant women to access their medical records. The card contains a computer chip summarizing the patient's record, which can be updated with new information upon each visit. This system aims to improve healthcare efficiency and reduce redundant tests.

A Computer Program For Willie Loman

The Rice-Rutgers team developed a computer program that determines the optimal route for a salesman visiting 13,509 cities, exceeding previous limits of 2,892 cities. The program relies on sophisticated algorithms and parallel processing, with the code running to over a thousand pages if printed.

Here A Beam, There A Beam

Researchers at California Institute of Technology successfully teleported a quantum state of light from one end of an optical bench to the other. The process, known as quantum teleportation, enables information transmission at the speed of light without physical medium.

Thousands Of Young Scientists Across The Country Showcase Their Study Of "Our Changing Earth" On Public Science Day, January 21

Young scientists across the country will display their projects examining the theme 'Our Changing Earth' at science centers nationwide. The students, aged 10-12, have worked months on hands-on projects to learn about topics such as water quality, landslides, satellite images, and El Niño weather patterns.

Leak Detectives: Brookhaven, Con Ed & EPRI Report New Method For Finding Underground Pipe Leaks

Researchers have developed a novel method for pinpointing dielectric fluid leaks in underground high-voltage electric cables, reducing environmental impact and excavation costs. The approach uses perflurocarbon tracers and has been successfully tested in New York City's streets, potentially applicable to oil pipelines.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Delivery·DateJan 21, 1999

Cataclysmic Explosions May Have Held Up Alien Visitors

Astrophysicist James Annis suggests that cataclysmic gamma-ray bursts could be sterilizing galaxies, preventing extraterrestrial life from reaching Earth. This theory may provide an explanation for the Fermi Paradox, with intelligent life having recently emerged in the Galaxy and being unable to explore yet.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 20, 1999

NICHD Network Identifies Most Effective Of A Series Of Infertility Treatments

Researchers found that treating women to ovulate and inseminating them through the uterus resulted in more pregnancies than other methods. The combination of superovulation and intrauterine insemination was deemed effective for infertile couples with no identifiable infertility factor and motile sperm.

Cancer Added To Hangover Headaches

New research suggests that prolonged alcohol intake can lead to cancer risk due to acetaldehyde production, which damages genetic building blocks and is efficiently inserted into DNA in some people. A large percentage of Asians lack the enzyme needed to break down acetaldehyde, making them more prone to esophageal and liver cancers.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalBiochemistry·DateJan 19, 1999

Large Gene Study Questions Cambrian Explosion

A recent gene study challenges the popular Cambrian Explosion theory, proposing that major animal groups evolved steadily over 1200 million years. The research uses hundreds of gene sequences to calculate evolutionary timelines and suggests that many species existed before their fossils appeared.