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Science News for August 16, 2000


UBC researchers find key to reducing inflammation

A UBC research team led by Prof. Chris Overall discovered a protein that reduces inflammation and halts the flow of white blood cells. The discovery, published in Science, may lead to new treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and lung disease.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 2000
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Hair follicles provide the stem cells for the skin's entire epidermis

Researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that hair follicles are the source of new cells for the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. These stem cells reside in a protected area called the bulge, which migrates to the epidermis, replenishing the skin throughout life.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateAug 16, 2000

Enzyme offers target to attack drug-resistant tuberculosis

Researchers discovered an enzyme called isocitrate lyase (ICL) that allows TB bacteria to persist in macrophages and evade immune attack. A drug targeting ICL may reduce treatment time for chronic infection. The enzyme's crystal structure has been determined, providing clues for designing drugs to attack persistent TB bacteria.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateAug 16, 2000

Simple and inexpensive, an artificial nose senses smell by seeing colors

Researchers have developed an artificial nose that senses smell by visualizing color changes in metalloporphyrin dyes, offering improved sensitivity and humidity resistance compared to human noses. The technology has various applications in industries such as food and beverage, perfume, customs checkpoints, and chemical workplaces.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateAug 16, 2000
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UF researchers: technique cuts pollution from burning treated wood

A new technique developed by UF researchers reduces toxic pollution from incinerating CCA-treated wood, making it less likely to leach into groundwater. The method introduces limestone to react with arsenic, forming larger particles that stay in the ash instead of escaping through smokestacks.

SourceUniversity of Florida·DateAug 16, 2000

Census of chemists shows modest gain in earnings

The median annual salary for chemists increased by 3% to $70,000, with industry paying the most. However, women chemists earn significantly lower salaries and have limited job opportunities.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateAug 16, 2000

Researchers find key to tuberculosis persistence in the body

A consortium of researchers found that isocitrate lyase (ICL) enables the tuberculosis bacterium to use fatty acids as energy. Disabling ICL crippled the bacterium in its persistent phase, suggesting a potential target for TB therapies. Current treatments are often ineffective due to the bug's ability to persist in the body.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateAug 16, 2000
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.

How parents can keep teen siblings from fighting

A new study found that parents who value autonomy are less likely to respond harshly to sibling conflicts, leading to reduced fighting between teens. The amount of time spent together with teen children is also crucial in maintaining a warm sibling relationship.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateAug 16, 2000

Bringing bone to the right places

Canadian researchers developed a method to steer proteins to bone, where they can accumulate and help build bone mass. Additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these proteins in growing bone tissue.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalBiotechnology Progress·DateAug 16, 2000

Cloned pig debuts inScience, sets the stage for organ transplants

Scientists have successfully cloned a piglet using microinjection, marking a significant step towards xenotransplantation and genetically modified organs. The breakthrough could lead to human-friendly pig organs, reducing rejection rates and increasing the success of organ transplants.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 2000
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.

Skin and hair spring from the same stem cells, researchers find

A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that the hair follicle and epidermis may originate from the same cache of cells. The finding suggests that daughter cells in the upper follicle migrate upward to form and maintain the new epidermis, and down to form the hair shaft.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateAug 16, 2000

Beer found to contain potent antioxidant

Researchers have discovered a potent antioxidant in beer, specifically the compound xanthohumol found in hops, which has been shown to be six times more effective than antioxidants in citrus fruits and four times more effective than those in soy products. The study suggests that drinking beer may help prevent certain diseases such as h...

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateAug 16, 2000

American Thoracic Society news tips for August

Hospital survival rates for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) patients have increased by 40% over the years 1992 to 1995, with a two-fold improvement in mechanical ventilation outcomes. New lung function data shows that Chinese children's lung capacity is lower than white youngsters', but also improved in certain tests.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 16, 2000