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Science News Archive December 2000 - Page 2


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.

SourceCornell University·DateDec 20, 2000

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 20, 2000
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 20, 2000

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.

SourceCornell University·DateDec 20, 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.

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.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2000

Debilitating lupus disease may have simple cause, new UCSF research shows

Scientists at UCSF discovered a single defect in a protein causes severe auto-immune disease resembling lupus, affecting 100,000 people in the US. The finding provides evidence that lupus might be an inherited disease with a simple genetic root, rather than multiple genetic defects.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateDec 20, 2000
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.

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·DateDec 19, 2000
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2000
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.

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.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalJAMA·DateDec 19, 2000

Research leads to more effective methods of treating drug addictions

A team of researchers at Northeastern University has discovered a specific molecular change in the brain that causes people to crave higher dosages of drugs over time. The finding could lead to more effective treatments for heroin addicts and cancer patients with chronic pain.

SourceNortheastern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateDec 18, 2000

OHSU researchers survey physicians and nurses regarding increases in pain among dying patients

A recent study by OHSU researchers found that 96% of physicians and nurses believe increased family expectations for pain management contributed to the observed increase in family reports of pain among dying patients. Additionally, decreased physician prescribing of pain medications (66%) and reduced nurse administration of pain medica...

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateDec 18, 2000
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalThorax·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceDOE/Savannah River Ecology Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 18, 2000
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.

Cytoplasmic FRAP must enter and exit nucleus to perform

Researchers found that FRAP regulates a membrane-to-cytoplasm communication network, governing cellular response to outside stimuli. The protein must shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm to function properly.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 18, 2000

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 ...

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateDec 18, 2000

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...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateDec 18, 2000
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

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%.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJAMA·DateDec 18, 2000
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.

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcology·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2000
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.

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJAMA·DateDec 18, 2000

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateDec 17, 2000

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateDec 17, 2000

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateDec 17, 2000
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.

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Architectural Engineering·DateDec 17, 2000

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateDec 17, 2000

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awards $15.1 million to treat African sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $15.11 million grant to researchers developing new drugs for African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis. The five-year project aims to create a world-class academic and scientific consortium to target these two parasitic diseases, which kill millions of people in developing nations.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·DateDec 17, 2000
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.

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateDec 17, 2000
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.

Psychology research offers 20 strategies for staying upbeat, coping with stress during holidays, everyday life

Psychology research offers 20 strategies for managing negative emotions, including reminding oneself of positive aspects, helping others, and focusing on happiness through a ratio of positive to negative emotions. Researchers like Randy Larsen emphasize the importance of looking beyond negative mental health topics.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Inquiry·DateDec 17, 2000

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateDec 17, 2000

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateDec 17, 2000

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateDec 17, 2000
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.