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Science News for March 1, 1999


Low Folate Levels In African American And Mexican American Adults

African American and Mexican American adults have lower serum and red cell folates compared to white adults. This disparity underscores the importance of improving dietary habits and folate supplements among these populations. Lower folate levels are a risk factor for neural tube defects in offspring and potentially other diseases.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 1, 1999

Building A Better Plasma Trap

U.C. San Diego researchers successfully trapped non-neutral plasma using a combination of electric and magnetic fields, forming novel vortex crystals when cooled. This breakthrough may hold the key to creating anti-hydrogen, quantum computing, and advanced atomic clocks.

The Gravity Of The Matter

The new gradiometer has the potential to revolutionize submarine navigation and underground structure detection, offering improved accuracy and reduced costs. Its commercial applications include geophysical mineral exploration and archaeological studies, enhancing our understanding of hidden pathways and structures.

Alzheimer's Disease Begins Before Symptoms Appear

Researchers found that changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer's disease begin years before clinical symptoms like memory loss. The study used brain tissue from over 60 subjects, including healthy individuals and those with dementia, to identify amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMar 1, 1999

Do You Hear What I Hear?

The Office of Naval Research has developed proprietary technology to improve hearing protection devices for service personnel exposed to high-level noise. The composite material absorbs acoustical energy more effectively, resulting in better-fitting and more effective ear-protection devices.

Modeling Atmospheric Aerosols

Scientists from around the world collaborated to develop improved atmospheric aerosol models for predicting infrared propagation in coastal environments. The project aims to enhance sensor accuracy for detecting incoming threats such as missiles and submarine periscopes.

Detecting Deadly Land Mines

The Office of Naval Research has developed a system that uses complex mathematical steps to filter out unwanted material in surveillance images and locate land mines. This new technology can find above-ground mines in an aerial picture in less than a minute, producing results superior to existing systems.

Health Benefits Of Fitness

A large study found that cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, regardless of body fatness. The researchers suggest that fitness may be more important than being lean for reducing obesity and mortality risk.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 1, 1999

Dental Care And Family Income

African Americans are less likely to visit the dentist for routine visits due to lack of money and dental insurance. The study found that 13% of African Americans had never visited a dentist, compared to 1% of whites.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Public Health Dentistry·DateMar 1, 1999