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Science News Archive December 2000


Page 2 of 6

New York women are still out in the (economic) cold

Despite an all-time low unemployment rate of 3.9%, New York ranks 10th among states for women's employment and earnings. Women in the state have high annual earnings but face challenges such as lower workforce participation, higher poverty rates, and limited access to health insurance.

MIT radar technology to treat breast cancer

Researchers are applying their radar technology to detect missiles to a FDA-approved Phase II clinical trial for treating breast cancer. The treatment involves heated microwave radiation that kills cancer cells without burning the skin.

American Thoracic Society news tips for December

The American Thoracic Society recommends enhanced contact investigation to identify additional close contacts of active TB patients. Researchers also found that eliminating occupational exposure can prevent adult-onset asthma. Furthermore, children exposed to maternal smoking in utero show significant lung function deficits.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Computer generates comparative gene maps

A new method developed by Cornell researchers allows for fast comparison of genomes, tracing evolutionary paths and identifying genes. This enables practical applications in plant breeding, medicine, and disease research, with potential breakthroughs in disease resistance and nutritional value.

New genetic link for late onset Alzheimer's disease discovered

Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital found a region on chromosome 10 that may harbor a genetic variant predisposing people to late onset Alzheimer's disease. The researchers believe this variant could be more potent than previously discovered risk factors like ApoE4 and A2M.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

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.

Smoking, heavy drinking and poor nutrition tend to cluster

A survey of over 6,700 individuals found that smoking and heavy drinking are linked to poorer food choices and increased health risks. The study suggests that targeting multiple risk factors simultaneously is crucial for effective health promotion.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

University of Toronto researchers develop potent vaccine for Alzheimer's

Scientists have discovered a vaccine that may prevent and treat Alzheimer's by blocking the production of toxic amyloid ß peptides, which accumulate in the brain and cause dementia. The vaccine has shown promise in removing amyloid plaques and preventing learning impairment in transgenic mice, paving the way for potential human trials.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study shows no connection between cell phone usage and brain cancer

A large case-control study found no association between cell phone usage and the development of primary brain cancer in a cohort of 891 participants. The study, published in JAMA, analyzed data from patients with primary brain cancer and controls without cancer, finding no correlation between cell phone use and brain cancer risk.

CWRU senior named Rhodes Scholar

Case Western Reserve University senior Niuniu Ji has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to pursue two-year honors studies in economics and management at Oxford University. The scholarship, established by British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes in 1902, recognizes high academic achievement and potential for leadership.

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.

Postmenopausal women may not need annual pap smear, UCSF study finds

A new study from UCSF found that postmenopausal women with normal Pap smear results may not need annual screening, as the benefits are small and the risk of false-positive testing is high. Researchers also discovered that hormone replacement therapy did not significantly affect cervical cellular abnormalities.

Children of heavy smokers may not be getting asthma treatment they need

Research suggests that heavy smoking by parents can lead to reduced visits to the doctor for asthma in their children. The study found a significant decrease in hospital visits when parents reported higher levels of smoking at home, particularly if the mother smoked. Age and family size also influenced visit frequency.

Infections may trigger autoimmunity via rare, but normal process

A study by The Wistar Institute suggests that infections can trigger autoimmunity through a normal but rare process involving memory B cells. A transgenic mouse with a self-similar influenza gene led to an autoimmune response, showing that the immune system may not eliminate all self-reactive cells.

Getting the lead out

Researchers at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory have successfully developed a compound that aids in the extraction of certain underground contaminants, including lead. The new chemical compound targets specific reactive fractions of the soil and can be used in pump-and-treat extraction methods to enhance removal efficiency.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Diffusion MRI shown to give early signs of cancer's response to treatment

Researchers have successfully analyzed diffusion MRI images to distinguish between dead and living brain tumor cells in animals and humans. This technique allows for the assessment of therapy effects without relying on measurable changes in tumor size, enabling earlier detection of treatment response.

New Zealand chemists present new research findings at Pacifichem 2000

New Zealand scientists are presenting innovative research on meat storage, with freezing found to be the best way to preserve raw sheep meat. Researchers have also isolated a promising chemical from a native Asian tree for treating AIDS, cancer, and diabetes. Additionally, marine sponges have yielded compounds that may aid in fighting ...

APL researchers now able to map global space weather

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a system to measure magnetic and electrical fields over large areas of the ionosphere, providing the first continuous monitoring of electric currents between space and the upper atmosphere. The advanced system will enable improved understanding and foreca...

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Annals of Internal Medicine, Tip Sheet, December 19, 2000

New data from the Nurses' Health Study suggests hormone replacement therapy reduces heart attack risk by 40% in postmenopausal women. However, taking higher doses of estrogen or combination therapy with progestin may increase stroke risk by 30%.

U-M study solves Pangea puzzle

Researchers at U-M and Norway have found a way to reconcile paleomagnetic data with the classical Pangea A model. The key lies in assumptions about Earth's magnetic field, which revealed long-term non-dipole fields that produce a near-perfect continental fit.

Disabled elderly women receive less home care than men

A study found that disabled elderly women receive approximately 15.7 hours of informal home care per week, compared to 21.2 hours for men, and are more likely to rely on children for support. Married disabled women also tend to receive fewer hours of informal care from their spouses.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Genes reveal new clues about the first flower

A Penn State study finds that both water lilies and Amborella are equally close genetically to the first flowering plant, offering new insights into its evolution. The analysis of DNA from three cellular compartments reveals a more diverse ancestry at the base of the angiosperm family tree.

Carbon sequestration: seeing the forest for its trees

A study published in Ecology found that interplanting eucalyptus with nitrogen-fixing trees, such as albizia, increases carbon sequestration in soil. This practice has the potential to significantly impact global efforts to measure and promote carbon sequestration in tropical tree plantations.

A new way for cells to die

Researchers have identified a new form of programmed cell death called paraptosis, characterized by the formation of vacuoles and mitochondrial swelling. This alternative pathway may offer novel therapeutic targets for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Handheld cellular telephone use not associated with risk of brain cancer

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association has found that handheld cellular telephone use is not associated with an increased risk of brain cancer. Researchers conducted a case-control study from 1994 to 1998 and analyzed data on 469 participants with primary brain cancer and 422 matched controls.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Young users of smokeless tobacco lack awareness of its dangers

A study found that young users of smokeless tobacco lack awareness of its health risks, with only 74% knowing it's harmful to their health. The survey also revealed that users often describe themselves as 'cool' and 'macho', reflecting the tobacco industry's marketing efforts.

Scientists say volcanoes bigger threat than asteroids

Scientists warn that living near active volcanic systems poses a significant risk due to unpredictability. Researchers are working to develop predictive models to mitigate the threat of volcanic eruptions, with some areas like Yellowstone and Long Valley Caldera still considered active systems.

Australian chemists present new research findings at Pacifichem 2000

Researchers at Monash University developed a noninvasive technique to predict the usable lifetime of rubber products using nuclear magnetic resonance. An Australian research team also created high-tech methods to detect insecticides and fungicides in wine and grapes, potentially leading to improved wine quality.

Engineers find new ways to protect against hurricane damage

Researchers developed a new method to save lives and protect property in windstorm-prone areas using a laminated glass window unit with a sacrificial ply. The design concept is promising for enhancing hurricane resistance of windows and offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive shutters or boards.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Changes in Australian ecosystems tied to arrival of exotic animals

A new study of emu eggshells reveals that the arrival of grazing mammals and rabbits in Australia led to a significant reduction in plant biomass, with grasslands disappearing around 300 years ago. The research suggests that Australian ecosystems are fragile and may take a long time to recover even if exotic animals were removed.

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.

Avocados contain potent liver protectants

Researchers in Japan discovered that avocados contain compounds that can slow down liver damage and improve liver health. The study suggests that avocado extracts may be a promising treatment for viral hepatitis, but further studies are needed to confirm the results.

Researchers identify promising target to slow Alzheimer's

A recent study suggests that methionine, a chemical found in beta-amyloid protein, may play a role in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E's antioxidant properties appear to destroy free radicals produced by amyloid, providing a possible explanation for its link to slowing the disease.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Noni plant may yield new drugs to fight tuberculosis

Researchers have identified compounds in noni plants that can kill the bacterium causing tuberculosis, offering a potential alternative to existing treatments. The finding could lead to cheaper and more effective medications for this growing global health threat.

Self-help programs help smokeless tobacco users quit

A new study found that low-cost self-help approaches, including mail and phone interventions, can help a sizable proportion of smokeless tobacco users quit. Phone counseling was particularly effective in aiding quitting, suggesting that verbal reporting of quit dates and use of oral substitutes may be key to success.