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Science News Archive August 2001


Page 7 of 8

Waiting times for breast cancer diagnosis

A study of 13,958 Canadian women found that the median time from screening to first assessment was 2.6 weeks and to diagnosis was 3.7 weeks. Women with breast cancer waited shorter times than those with benign findings. However, even with expedited investigations, 10% of women with breast cancer still waited over 12 weeks for a diagnosis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Salmon life stories recorded in strontium

Scientists have discovered a natural method to track Atlantic salmon using strontium isotopes, which can reveal the fish's origin and migration patterns. This discovery could provide valuable insights into salmon habitat restoration efforts and inform more effective conservation strategies.

Human population growth already slowing

Researchers find that human population growth is slowing due to increased birth rates being offset by negative feedback from crowding and resource depletion. The world population is expected to reach 10-12 billion around 2100, despite a near doubling in numbers.

Picky plants: Do they 'choose' the best fungal partner?

A study by University of Michigan doctoral student Miroslav Kummel found that plants associate with different fungi depending on light conditions, suggesting a choice-based mechanism for nutrient exchange. This discovery could have implications for the timber industry and our understanding of plant-fungus interactions.

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.

PNNL captures picture of fish passage with acoustic camera

Researchers at PNNL and the US Army Corps of Engineers used an acoustic camera to study fish behavior near a dam, capturing images of individual fish at distances of up to 30 feet. The camera provided detailed information on fish size and shape estimates, expanding understanding of how fish react to structures added to dams.

Taking the pulse of heart failure treatment

A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that 88.5% of patients admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure underwent left ventricular testing, but only 23% received target doses of ACE inhibitors as prescribed in clinical trials. This underdosing rate is lower than previously reported rates in Europe and the US.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Annals series examines complementary and alternative medicine

The Annals series examines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), classifying hundreds of therapies into a new taxonomy. CAM modalities like herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathy are studied, as well as the social context and effectiveness of these practices.

The ancients were right - Delphi was a gas!

A four-year interdisciplinary study has identified young faults at the Oracle site and pinpointed the emissions responsible for the Pythia's trance state as light hydrocarbon gases from bituminous limestone. The study also found ethane, methane, and ethylene in spring water near the Oracle.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Vancouver at high risk for hepatitis A outbreak

Vancouver is facing a high risk of an hepatitis A outbreak due to past infections among street youth, injection drug users, and men who have sex with men. The Canadian Medical Association Journal report highlights the need for vaccination programs to protect these groups.

Population-based study of potential brain injuries

A population-based study found that the annual rate of potential brain injury was 16 per 10,000 among males and 7 per 10,000 among females. The leading causes of brain injury varied by age, with falls from heights being common among young children and accidents involving motor vehicles or bicycles being common among older teenagers.

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, August 7, 2001

The journal launches a series on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), classifying over 200 therapies into eight categories. ACP-ASIM opposes the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, citing concerns about inadequate care at end-of-life.

ACP-ASIM opposes physician-assisted suicide

The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine opposes physician-assisted suicide, considering it a threat to the patient-physician relationship. Instead, they suggest improving access to hospice care, palliative care, and pain management.

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.

Strontium titanate - a deformable ceramic

Researchers discovered strontium titanate deforms plastically at low stresses and temperatures, contrary to its brittle nature. Detailed analysis reveals the existence of different dislocation core structures, suggesting potential applications in forming or enhancing ceramic properties.

Wave of the future? Dams as river restoration

Researchers examine dam removal's effects on rivers, considering ecological, engineering, social and legal perspectives. The symposium explores how dam removal affects nutrient flow, habitat, and flood patterns, highlighting the need for better restoration strategies.

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.

Special Olympians provide insights into power-lifting technique

Researchers analyzed the lifting techniques of over 40 Special Olympics power lifters, finding that the sumo style is safer for the lower back and that better lifters keep the bar closer to their body. The study provides valuable insights for competitive power lifters to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

Climate change in the USA

Researchers will examine climate change's effects on ecosystems, societal perceptions, and natural resources in the United States. Key findings include vulnerabilities of specific regions and possible coping strategies for adapting to projected water and nutrient shortages.

Chemists predict silver-flourine superconductivity

Researchers at Cornell University propose that silver-flourine compounds could exhibit high-temperature superconductivity, building on similarities to oxocuprates. Theoretical predictions are supported by detailed calculations and chemical reasoning, but experimental production will be challenging.

Engineers 'tread' toward quieter tires

Researchers at Purdue University have created a mathematical model to analyze tire vibrations and identify the components that produce the most noise. The model, which creates a visual representation of the tire's vibration pattern like a fingerprint, will help engineers design quieter tires and reduce highway noise.

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.

Study: Physical ailments in elderly could signal depression

A study found that physical maladies such as diminished energy and sleep disturbances can reliably indicate depression in the elderly. However, symptoms like work inhibition and weight loss are poor discriminators of depression in older adults due to factors like aging process and ill health.

UCSD biologists identify genetic mechanism conferring resistance to 'Bt toxins'

Scientists have discovered the genetic and molecular means by which roundworms develop resistance to Bt toxins, which are safe to humans but threaten long-term effectiveness. The researchers identified a galactosyltransferase enzyme as key to toxin recognition, enabling the development of strategies to delay or circumvent resistance.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

NSF program director press statement on dinosaur nasal discovery

The National Science Foundation has funded a study that sheds light on the soft tissue biology of dinosaurs, specifically their nasal structures. The research, led by Lawrence Witmer, provides clues to how air flowed and affected olfaction and heat exchange in these prehistoric creatures.

Designer chemical offers Alzheimer's hope

Researchers have designed and synthesized highly potent inhibitor compounds that could lead to an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The new inhibitors are substantially smaller, comparable in size to HIV protease inhibitor drugs, and still potent.

Early detection of coeliac disease essential to prevent excess deaths

A prospective study reveals coeliac disease patients experience a substantial excess of deaths, particularly within the first three years after diagnosis and those with malabsorption symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent mortality, as delay in diagnosis and poor treatment adherence can significantly worsen outcomes.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Dinosaurs' large noses may have been key to physiological processes

Research by Lawrence Witmer reveals that many dinosaurs had large nasal passages, contrary to previous depictions. The study suggests that these passages were positioned closer to the mouths and farther from the eyes, which could have been important for heat exchange and other physiological processes.

New approaches to hiv treatment in less developed countries

Researchers propose integrating highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) into existing tuberculosis-control infrastructure in less-developed countries. Directly-observed therapy has shown effectiveness in resource-poor settings with sustained commitment to uninterrupted care that is free to the patient.

Scientists find genetic basis of insect's resistance to engineered crops

Researchers have identified a gene that confers high levels of resistance in the tobacco budworm moth to genetically engineered crops with built-in insecticides. This discovery will enable farmers and government officials to take early steps to prevent uncontrollable outbreaks by detecting the early signs of pests evolving resistance.

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.

NYU researchers successfully immunize mice against Alzheimer's

Researchers at NYU Langone Health successfully immunized mice against Alzheimer's disease using a new vaccine that reduces amyloid plaque and soluble beta levels. The vaccine, modeled on a modified peptide, appears to be non-toxic and shows great promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

First HIV rat seen as best model for human studies

Researchers at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute have engineered rats to contain the genome of HIV-1, making them a valuable model for studying AIDS-related diseases. The rats develop clinical signs similar to those of AIDS in humans, including neurological abnormalities and organ damage.

Low cholesterol linked to increased mortality in elderly people

A large-scale population study found that low cholesterol concentrations were associated with higher death rates among elderly people. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,500 men aged 71-93, suggested that long-term persistence of low cholesterol concentration increases the risk of death.

Why patients request euthanasia or physican assisted suicide

A qualitative study of 32 people with HIV-1 or AIDS found that disintegration and loss of community are key factors driving desire for euthanasia and assisted suicide. The study suggests that clinicians must consider the complexity of patients' experiences when evaluating requests for physician-assisted suicide.

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.

Dinosaurs had a "rostral nostril," says Science researcher

A new study in the journal Science found that dinosaurs' fleshy nostrils were typically positioned forward of their bony nose openings. This finding has implications for how dinosaurs breathed, smelled, and regulated body temperature and water loss, potentially providing clues to their adaptations to different environments.

Specific genotype could increase resistance to HIV drug therapy

A study found that a specific mutation in the human MDR1 gene affects P-glycoprotein expression, leading to decreased effectiveness of HIV-1 protease inhibitors in West Africans and African Americans compared to Caucasians. This could have significant implications for drug treatment in these populations.

Optical technique studies brain activity without surgery on skull

Researchers have developed a non-invasive optical technique to measure blood flow and oxygen consumption in the brain, allowing for simultaneous detection of both blood profusion and neural activity. This breakthrough could lead to new diagnostic, prognostic, and clinical applications.

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.

Damage of divorce on teens evident before break-up is final

A new nationwide study found that children of divorced parents showed more academic, psychological and behavioral problems a year before the divorce. The study also revealed that family dysfunction existed long before the marriage ended, with parents who would later divorce showing lower well-being in their children.

Harnessing the autoimmune response

Researchers develop a technique to conjugate peptides to virus-like particles, generating high-titer antibodies that inhibit disease-causing cytokines. This approach shows promise in blocking or delaying onset of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis.

Artifact analyses dispute assumptions about a prehistoric society

Researchers at University of Illinois dispute extensive trade theory for prehistoric society Cahokia, citing new evidence that local red flint clay was used instead of catlinite. The study uses a new mineral analyzer technique to identify the stone's mineral composition and find no connection between catlinite and the culture.

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.

Mayo Clinic study links excess weight with early heart attack

A Mayo Clinic study found that overweight or obese patients had their first heart attacks at a younger age, with obese patients experiencing an average of 8.2-year gap compared to normal-weight patients. The study also revealed similar in-hospital outcomes among the three groups.