Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 12, 1999


Two-for-one special: industrial enzymes and food

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have created a new method to produce valuable industrial enzymes in plants, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The process uses transgenic potato plants to generate cellulase enzymes, which can be used in various applications, including food processing and pharmaceuticals.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJul 12, 1999

Correlation between brain shrinkage and education found

A study found that higher education levels are associated with more severe brain shrinkage in older adults, yet this does not lead to significant memory loss or cognitive impairment. The 'reserve hypothesis' suggests that education provides a protective effect against age-related mental decline.

SourceHenry Ford Health·JournalNeurology·DateJul 12, 1999
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Hospital study shows more patients could qualify for free care coverage

A Massachusetts General Hospital study reveals that a majority of patients with unpaid bills were poor enough to qualify for state-sponsored free care or Medicaid. The study found that 84% of free-care patients and 78% of emergency bad debt patients had incomes below the federal poverty level.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJul 12, 1999

Maybe you can get blood from a turnip after all

Researchers have produced two blood factors that treat most patients with blood clotting disorders. The production of human blood proteins in plants eliminates disease transmission risk, making lifesaving treatments more accessible. This technology is expected to be 10 times cheaper than current methods and provides a stable production...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJul 12, 1999