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Science News for September 1, 1999


Jurassic period mammal teeth found; prevailing theories challenged

Three tiny teeth found in a piece of lower jawbone from a small Jurassic period mammal on Madagascar's island, contradicting widely-held ideas on mammalian evolution. The discovery more than doubles the age of the oldest known mammal from Madagascar and provides new insights into early branching events in the family tree of mammals.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 1999

Biologically inspired electronics leads to higher fidelity

Researchers at Boston University developed a biologically inspired model to improve the fidelity of electronic devices by mimicking the noise-shaping abilities of neuronal networks. The system can effectively filter out unwanted information and identify desired signals over a wider bandwidth.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 1, 1999
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why prostate cancer homes to bone

Scientists found that osteonectin, a bone protein, attracts prostate cancer cells and stimulates their invasion. This discovery has important implications for the treatment of prostate cancer and other bone-seeking cancers.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 1, 1999

Seeing quantum mechanics: Image of orbitals confirms bonding hypothesis

Researchers at Arizona State University have achieved clear images of electron orbitals in Cu2O, verifying the hypothesis that both ionic and covalent bonding occurs in the material. The images show complex formations resembling a dumbbell shape, indicating the presence of metal-to-metal bonds.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 1999

Sailing through space on hot plasma

Winglee's design harnesses solar wind to accelerate spacecraft, potentially reaching speeds of over 100km/s. The sailcloth is a magnetic field that repels ions and charged particles, exerting a small but steady force on the spacecraft.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 1, 1999

A dream team tackles the brain

Boston University scientists are developing a new form of microscopy that utilizes entangled-photon fluorescence microscopy to observe brain synapses. This technology holds promise for unraveling the century-old question of how dendritic spines function, crucial for cognitive processes like learning and memory.

SourceBoston University·DateSep 1, 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.

Ancient viruses lurking in polar ice

Researchers have discovered a prehistoric virus in Arctic ice that could potentially re-emerge as the climate warms. The ancient tomato mosaic tobamovirus was found in ice cores dating back 500 to 140,000 years, raising concerns about the possibility of new epidemics.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 1, 1999

Study finds highway traffic speed to be an illusion

A new study led by Dr. Don Redelmeier found that people overestimate the speed of vehicles in the next lane, leading to unnecessary lane changes. Staying in one's lane is safer and achieves similar travel times as more aggressive driving.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 1999

UI study suggests genetics and gender affect human response to endotoxin

A recent University of Iowa Health Care study found that genetic factors and sex differences significantly affect human responses to endotoxin, with women more likely to experience declined airway function. The study examined 72 individuals without respiratory conditions and discovered a wide range of reactions to the contaminant.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 1, 1999
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A new device for detecting illicit plutonium

A new radiation detector based on optical fibers has been developed to detect illicit plutonium. The device is light, flexible, and can be used in various applications, including airport security and medical treatments for brain tumors.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 1, 1999

Cholesterol guidelines can reduce recurrent heart problems

Researchers found that people with heart disease can expect greater benefits from lowering cholesterol levels than those without, with a 60% decrease in heart attacks and 80% decrease in deaths. Emphasizing secondary prevention is now considered more cost-effective due to these significant benefits.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 1, 1999

First gene defect identified for precursor to adult diabetes

Scientists have identified a genetic defect linked to insulin resistance and adult diabetes, providing a target for potential new treatments. The Q allele of the PC-1 gene is three times more common among insulin-resistant people and twice as frequent among adult diabetics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalDiabetes·DateSep 1, 1999

Research puts sting into drama of virus-cell fusion

Researchers at Purdue University have identified a protein segment crucial for the infection of cells by retroviruses and other viruses. By replacing just one amino acid in this region, they were able to eliminate fusion between the virus and its host cell. This discovery may lead to novel treatments to block the entry of these viruses.

SourcePurdue University·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateSep 1, 1999

Genome tools pass big test in fruit flies

Researchers have successfully developed and used several types of tools to analyze the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster genome, extracting valuable information about genes and their function. The findings include a large-scale analysis of over 1,000 mutant fly strains, which identified more than 250 new genes.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalGenetics·DateSep 1, 1999
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.

Wistar Institute scientists find key piece in gene regulation puzzle

Wistar Institute scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of a key enzyme involved in gene activation, GCN5. The study reveals details on how the enzyme carries out its function and identifies the structural adjustments needed for proper regulation of gene activation.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 1999

Penn researchers find ovary removal reduces risk of breast cancer in women withBRCA1 mutation

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center found that bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy reduces breast cancer risk in women with a BRCA1 gene mutation. After 10 years, the incidence of breast cancer among women who had their ovaries removed was significantly lower than those who did not.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 1, 1999