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Science News for May 21, 2000


Stress hormone linked to increased alcohol consumption in animal models

Researchers studied rhesus macaques from birth to young adulthood, finding that those with high cortisol levels responded more strongly to stress and drank more alcohol as adults. The study's findings suggest early life stress can influence later alcohol consumption and offer a promising biological marker of risk.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism·DateMay 21, 2000

Weight training helps to maintain good health, study finds

A new Ohio University study found that weight training does not increase cholesterol levels in healthy young men and women, but reduces body fat and increases muscle strength. The research counters previous studies and news reports giving weight lifting a bad name.

SourceOhio University·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·DateMay 21, 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.

Common household items could be sources of infections

A study found that faucet handles and phone receivers are high-risk areas for transferring bacteria and viruses to hands and faces. This could lead to diseases like diarrhea and infection if proper hygiene is not practiced. The researchers also highlighted the potential for household items like sponges and telephones to spread infections.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateMay 21, 2000

Among the elderly, men perceive poor health status better than women

A new study found that elderly men who rate their health as poor are more likely to die than women with similar ratings. Men's perceptions of their health are a better predictor of death risk, while women consider emotional distress from various factors, reducing accuracy in predicting mortality.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateMay 21, 2000

Some alcoholics may self-medicate with carbohydrates between drinks

Researchers discovered a sub-group of alcoholics who self-medicate low serotonin levels with carbohydrates when not drinking. Carbohydrates increase serotonin levels, similar to alcohol, and this study provides insight into treating alcoholics with disturbed serotonergic function.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateMay 21, 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.

Targeted Genetics presents clinical data on E1A cancer gene therapy

The company presented Phase II data of tgDCC-E1A, a lead cancer therapy, which showed a 45% objective response rate in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Preclinical studies also demonstrated the ability of E1A to sensitize tumors to radiation and chemotherapy.

SourceNoonan/Russo Communications·DateMay 21, 2000

Parenting, stress and your child's risk for alcoholism

A study found that infant monkeys raised without adult supervision experienced higher cortisol levels, indicating increased stress, which later led to heavy drinking as adults. This suggests a link between early life experiences, sensitivity to stress, and subsequent alcohol consumption.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateMay 21, 2000

Alcohol and thiamine deficiency together: a dangerous combination?

Chronic alcohol consumption combined with thiamine deficiency may have a synergistic effect on the brain, causing impaired learning, reference memory, and cognitive functions. Thiamine supplementation can exacerbate this effect, and some experts suggest that food supplementation or beer enrichment may be more beneficial.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateMay 21, 2000

Major milestone reached in X-37 space plane project

The X-40A test vehicle, built by Boeing, is being shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif., for a series of ground and air tests. The X-37 project aims to demonstrate technologies in the orbital and reentry environments for next-generation reusable launch vehicles.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center News Center·DateMay 21, 2000
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Northwestern scientists shed new light on neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists at Northwestern University discovered that polyglutamine aggregates are toxic and can bring healthy proteins to aggregate with them. The growth of these aggregates can be suppressed by molecular chaperones called heat shock proteins. This finding provides a new model for understanding the common pathology of neurodegenerativ...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2000

pre-surgery videotape may help reduce stress

Researchers found that watching the video reduced anxiety and stress in patients before surgery, while also decreasing cortisol levels and pain medication needs. The study suggests that preparing for an operation by watching a videotape may improve coping abilities.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateMay 21, 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.

AVAX Technologies' O-Vax™ cancer vaccine induces positive immunological and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced ovarian cancer

The data from an ongoing Phase 1/2 trial of O-Vax in patients with advanced ovarian cancer indicates that the vaccine induces a positive immunological response, as measured by a delayed type hypersensitivity test. Favorable clinical responses were also observed, including complete regression of tumors and normalization of CA-125 levels.

SourceAVAX Technologies, Inc.·DateMay 21, 2000

'Falling down drunk' is not a laughing matter

A study found that recently detoxified male alcoholics experience significant cognitive and motor deficits, particularly in gait and balance. These impairments can lead to an increased risk of falls and may be linked to the 'premature aging hypothesis,' where the brains of older alcoholics resemble those of non-drinkers.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateMay 21, 2000

New UF study shows value of folate for older women

A new University of Florida study reveals that consuming folate-rich foods daily can significantly reduce homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease, in postmenopausal women. The research suggests that improving folate intake is crucial for older women's health.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMay 21, 2000

Pay attention to potassium channels! First steps in the molecular identification of SK channels and their role in neuronal signal encoding.

Scientists at Max Planck Institute discover novel potassium current activated by calcium, shaping neural signal frequency. SK channels play a crucial role in neuronal adaptation, influencing brain function and learning. The study resolves a long-standing controversy between electrophysiology and apamin-binding studies.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular and Cellular Neuroscience·DateMay 21, 2000

$1.5 million awarded to marine conservationists

The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation awards $150,000 to ten ocean ambassadors from five continents tackling pressing issues like marine pollution and coastal conservation. The 2000 recipients will conduct interdisciplinary projects applying sound science to urgent challenges.

SourceNew England Aquarium·DateMay 21, 2000
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Negative coping strategies can worsen gastrointestinal symptoms

A recent study of female participants with functional gastrointestinal disorders found that catastrophizing and low perception of power over symptoms worsened health outcomes. The researchers suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy may help alleviate these negative coping strategies and improve gastrointestinal symptoms.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateMay 21, 2000

Potato extract: A new direction for antibiotics

Researchers have identified a water extract from potatoes that inhibits the attachment of certain bacteria, such as oral streptococcus and E. coli, to their target tissue. This finding could provide a new direction for antibiotic research and potentially help solve the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateMay 21, 2000