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Science News Archive November 1999


Page 6 of 6

You can't see it, but it's real: Glass ceiling is solid

A recent study by David J. Maume Jr. found that 44% of men are promoted after 12 years, compared to 15% of white women, 7% of black women, and 17% of black men. Discrimination was the only factor controlling promotion rates across professions.

A key to depression

Scientists discovered that Prozac increases new neurons in rats' brains by 69% compared to controls. This finding may explain why people recover from depression with SSRIs. The study also suggests serotonin's role in treating other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.

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.

Plasmas in Seattle

Physicists discuss new discoveries in plasmas, including solar eruptions triggered by magnetic flux ropes. Advances in plasmatrons for vehicles reduce pollution emissions, enabling more efficient engine operation.

Why are the elderly so easily fooled by con artists?

Research suggests that some older adults have impaired decision-making skills, making them more vulnerable to fraudulent activities. A study found that a third of healthy individuals in their 60s performed poorly on a gambling task, similar to those with known brain damage.

Pacific Northwest researcher wins prestigious international climate change award

William Chandler, a research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has received the World Climate Technology Leadership Award for founding a global network of energy efficiency centers. His work promotes energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions on a global basis, setting a standard for others to follow.

Lasers clean fossils in no time

Physicists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are developing a control system that switches off a cutting laser when it detects phosphorus, allowing for quick and efficient fossil cleaning. This technique could significantly reduce the time-consuming process of preparing fossils by hand, especially for delicate or soft bones.

Do reassuring computers give pilots a false sense of security?

A new study reveals that relying on computers for pilot support can actually decrease performance and increase errors. The researchers found that volunteers who used automated cues performed poorly, while those who relied solely on instrument readings achieved higher accuracy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Few physicians counsel adolescents about smoking

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that only 17% of office visits included smoking-related counseling for adolescents. The frequency of questioning about smoking habits did not improve during the study period, and younger nonwhite adolescents were less likely to receive counseling.

DFG invites applications for Communicator Award

The DFG's new Communicator Award is given to scholars and scientists explaining their research in a comprehensible manner. The award focuses on papers published in German and will be announced through various media channels.

Key developmental genes identified, linked to rare syndrome

Researchers identified two critical developmental genes, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, which control methylation patterns and are associated with ICF syndrome. Mutations in these genes may cause ICF, a rare condition characterized by immune system defects and facial abnormalities.

UC researchers use Doppler ultrasound

Researchers at UC have developed a novel method for detecting early signs of artery blockages using Doppler ultrasound, which can accurately predict turbulence intensity and detect atherosclerosis. This non-invasive technique is safer than current methods requiring ionizing radiation or pressure transducer insertion.

Research challenges conventional thinking on ways to treat prostate cancer

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center challenge current understanding of prostate cancer treatment by showing that testosterone withdrawal triggers a dormant state in tumor cells, rather than causing widespread cell death. This study offers new hope for developing targeted therapies to combat recurrent prostate cancer.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Chromosome changes predict more deadly prostate tumors

Men with specific chromosome 8 abnormalities have a 30% survival rate after 10 years, compared to 78% for those with normal chromosomes. The findings could help identify patients who require closer follow-up and more aggressive early treatment.

Duke study: Poured sand sifts, but showered sand doesn't

A Duke study reveals that the pressures under poured sandpiles are highest at their peripheries due to unbalanced distributions of stresses. In contrast, showered sand piles concentrate stresses at their centers like medieval cathedrals' flying buttresses. This research has practical importance for structures prone to self-destruction.

Hostility, coercion, sexism among causes of harassment in military

A series of studies found that women in the military experience job dissatisfaction, reduced well-being, and physical and psychological harm due to harassment. The research highlights the need for greater gender parity and intolerance among leaders to address these issues.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Yale research team first to describe molecular-sized memory

A Yale research team has developed a molecular memory that can store information, outlasting conventional silicon memory by approximately one million times. The discovery uses self-assembly method to fabricate the molecular memory, which could lead to significant reductions in cost and improvements in electronics.

UVic creates research chair on drinking water ecology

The University of Victoria has established a research chair to study ecological processes contributing to safe drinking water. The chair will evaluate watershed management activities, supply operations, and food chain changes to optimize water quality and minimize treatment costs.

Finding suggests a common childhood leukemia may form in the womb

A study published in Lancet suggests a genetic mutation in two genes, TEL and AML1, occurs during fetal development, leading to a potentially oncogenic protein. The fusion of these genes is not inherited but rather occurs during pregnancy, possibly due to a developmental accident.

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.

Reducing methane emissions could lower overall abatement costs

A recent study by University of Illinois researchers suggests that including methane in emission-reduction strategies can significantly lower overall costs. The study found that methane can offset carbon dioxide reductions and reduce U.S. abatement costs by more than 25 percent compared to strategies involving carbon dioxide alone.

Connecting to the ultrasmall is a challenge

Researchers at Cornell University are working on bridging the gap between human dimensions and ultrasmall microchips. They aim to develop a dense array of connections to allow information exchange between large and small components.

Coordination of knowledge among organizations changing radically

Researchers explore how new technologies shape communication networks and change organizational performance in 21st century organizations, with a focus on global network organizations. The project aims to produce the first comprehensive test to explain and predict the evolution of knowledge networks.

Scientists measure temperatures in microscopic gas bubbles

Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully controlled and measured extremely high temperatures in microscopic gas bubbles formed by ultrasound. These hot spots can reach temperatures as high as a star surface and drive high-energy chemical reactions.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Traumatic brain injury hastens onset of Alzheimer's disease

A recent Mayo Clinic study found that traumatic brain injuries increase the risk of Alzheimer's Disease, with a median observed time from injury to onset of 10 years. The study suggests that traumatic brain injury interacts with other factors to hasten the onset of Alzheimer's in susceptible individuals.

Consume less trans fat, more vitamin B6 and B12, studies suggest

A recent study suggests that consuming less trans fat and increasing magnesium, vitamin B6, and B12 intake can help prevent artery calcification. Researchers found that adequate magnesium levels can mitigate the risk of calcified ridges in arteries, which can block blood flow.

Annals Of Internal Medicine - tip sheet for November 2, 1999

A study of 30 people with iron deficiency anemia found that curing Helicobacter pylori reversed the anemia. Meanwhile, researchers discovered that 51% of eligible elderly patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction did not receive early beta-blocker therapy, leading to higher in-hospital mortality rates.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Challenges of welfare reform

Researchers find substance use and dependence are significant problems among welfare recipients, but academic skill deficits are a greater barrier to self-sufficiency. Effective services addressing mental health needs and providing support for work barriers are crucial for successful fulfillment of family roles.

Southeast appears to have a unique type of Lyme disease

Researchers found that 70% of Southeastern adults with Lyme-like symptoms were not infected with the standard Borrelia burgdorferi strain. Instead, a genetically variant strain was detected, which may be more responsive to antibiotic therapy and less virulent than traditional Lyme disease.