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Science News for May 17, 2000


Alzheimer's triggering enzyme identified

A team of scientists led by Li-Huei Tsai found that the enzyme calpain triggers neurodegeneration in brain cells, similar to Alzheimer's disease. The discovery proposes a common mechanistic link between toxic insults and brain cell injury, offering potential targets for drugs to slow or stop progression.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 17, 2000

Marshall Center's Fastrac engine team wins technology award

The Marshall Center's Fastrac engine team has developed a 60,000-pound-thrust engine with reduced costs through innovative design and commercial off-the-shelf parts. The team achieved this feat in under three years, significantly faster than usual for rocket engines.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center News Center·DateMay 17, 2000
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Daily sedative hiatus speeds recovery and cuts costs for ICU patients

Researchers found that brief daily awakenings reduce ventilation duration, cut ICU stays by one-third, and lower healthcare costs. Patients who had daily sedative breaks recovered much more quickly, with reduced need for diagnostic tests related to mental status.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 17, 2000

Drug-psychotherapy combo found highly effective in depression study

A new study found a combination therapy of Serzone and psychotherapy to be highly effective in treating chronic forms of major depression, with an 85-percent response rate. The treatment approach produced significant improvement in patients sooner than psychotherapy alone, and with fewer side effects.

SourceBrown University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 17, 2000
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for May 2000

A study of rural teenagers found lower asthma rates among farm-raised teens, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infancy strongly correlates with later development of asthma and other breathing issues. Asthma experts emphasize the need for tailored management strategies addressing different stages of the disease.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 17, 2000

85 percent of depressed patients improve when treated with both medication and psychotherapy, study finds

A national study found that 85% of chronically depressed patients improved after three months of treatment combining antidepressant Serzone with Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP). The combination therapy was more effective than either medication or psychotherapy alone for treating chronic depression.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 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.

Research sheds new light on soot damage to artwork

Researchers found that over 12% of a sample must be covered in soot for people to accurately detect the difference between clean and dirty sheets. The study provides guidelines for determining when to clean and protect fine art from soot damage, helping museum designers preserve valuable collections.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 17, 2000

By all measurements -- Indiana's forests are growing

According to the report, Indiana's forests have expanded significantly since the 1960s, with 85% of timberlands in private ownership. The number of trees has increased to 2 billion, providing habitat and food for wildlife.

SourceNorth Central Research Station·DateMay 17, 2000