Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 3, 1999


Shedding light on the origin of primate color vision

Scientists have found evidence that trichromatic or full color vision originated in prosimians, a group of lemurs, Bush Babies and pottos, rather than in higher primates. The new research pushes the origin of primate color vision back roughly 20 million years to about 55 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature·DateNov 3, 1999

Novel insect eye could be an old way of seeing

Strepsipteran insects have eyes with larger lenses and more receptors, allowing them to sample 'chunks' of the visual field instead of points. This unique structure improves their visual capabilities and is similar to that of extinct arthropods like trilobites.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 1999
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wake Forest researchers ask: Can ginkgo prevent memory loss?

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are testing whether an extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can slow memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. The six-year clinical trial will enroll 2,000 participants and evaluate the effect of 240 milligrams of ginkgo daily on memory function.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateNov 3, 1999

DNA tests reveal plant roots' underground secrets

A team of botanists used DNA analysis to study the underground travels of plant roots, discovering that some species can extend their roots up to 75 feet into the ground. This research contributes to a better understanding of how plants interact with their environment and climate change.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 1999

Colorado State receives $6.25 million from National Institutes of Health to discover and test new drugs against tuberculosis

Two groups of researchers at Colorado State University will receive funding to develop new drugs against tuberculosis, a leading bacterial killer causing 10 million new cases annually. The research teams will collaborate with pharmaceutical companies and use advanced testing infrastructure to identify potential anti-TB compounds.

SourceColorado State University·DateNov 3, 1999
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Protein component apparently plays key role in muscle elasticity

A pair of hydrogen bonds in titin allows muscle to stretch and return to normal by regulating unfolding of protein sections. This finding is a significant step forward in understanding muscle elasticity and its role in cardiac muscular diseases.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateNov 3, 1999

New Madrid fault study in midwest indicates large earthquake a threat

A new analysis by University of Colorado at Boulder professor Karl Mueller indicates a high threat of large earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone. The study gathered evidence on a pivotal 'blind-thrust' fault and found a slip rate of nearly 45 feet over 2,300 years, posing significant risks to Memphis and St. Louis.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 1999

Sounds of race cars reveal engine performance, racing strategy

Engineers at Ohio State University have developed a method of computer analysis that extracts valuable information from the pitches of sound coming from a car, revealing insights into engine performance and driver technique. The same technique could be applied to other complicated machinery, such as power plant turbines.

SourceOhio State University·DateNov 3, 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.

A molecular chink in the armor of tuberculosis

Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute identified a crucial lipid molecule produced by M. tuberculosis to infect lung tissue. The discovery could lead to improved vaccines and treatments for tuberculosis, which kills more people than AIDS or malaria.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateNov 3, 1999

Chimpanzee subspecies are genetically mixed and more diverse than humans, according to research in 5 November 1999Science

A recent study published in Science found that chimpanzee subspecies are genetically mixed and more diverse than previously thought. The research suggests that the variation in the chimpanzee genome is not due to cultural differences, but rather a result of genetic variation between populations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 1999