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Science News for August 8, 2001


Restoring wetlands much more than 'just add water'

Researchers found that newly restored wetlands often struggle with invasive weeds, which can outcompete native species for resources. The cost of wetland restoration is also a significant barrier, with some projects costing up to $200,000 per hectare.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·DateAug 8, 2001

Just how old is the Tibetan Plateau?

A new study reveals the Tibetan Plateau is approximately 13.5 million years old and has reached its maximum average height of 5 kilometers. The plateau's formation is attributed to the collision between two tectonic plates, resulting in a flat-topped spreading plateau.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001

UF researchers: beach mice face high probability of extinction

Researchers at the University of Florida have concluded that the few remaining populations of beach mice on the Florida and Alabama coasts are in substantial danger of extinction from hurricanes and continuing loss of habitat to development. The study predicts a 37-57% chance of extinction in 25 years and a 59-80% chance in 50 years.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalBiological Conservation·DateAug 8, 2001
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.

CWRU receives $2.2 million for Center for Computational Genomics

Case Western Reserve University has received a $2.2 million grant from the Charles B. Wang Foundation to establish the Center for Computational Genomics. The center will tackle cutting-edge problems in genomics and bioinformatics, focusing on genomic analysis and disease prevention.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateAug 8, 2001

Structure shows repair protein cradling broken DNA

The Ku heterodimer, a key player in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), is shown to 'cradle' broken DNA ends with its ring-shaped molecule, forming a precise alignment for repair enzymes. This structure provides insights into the accuracy of the NHEJ process and its importance in genome integrity.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001

Risk of accidents no greater for drivers with cardiac arrhythmias

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with cardiac arrhythmias have a similar accident rate to healthy drivers. The study, which analyzed data from over 600 patients, showed that only 11% of accidents were preceded by potential arrhythmia symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 8, 2001

In first human trial, insulin shows ability to reduce components that inflame vessel walls

A new study by University at Buffalo researchers found that insulin can reduce pro-inflammatory components in the bloodstream while increasing anti-inflammatory components. The results suggest that insulin may have anti-atherosclerotic effects and potentially reduce the risk of heart attack, contrary to previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateAug 8, 2001

Meningitis clotting pathway cracked by UK and US scientists

Researchers have identified a key mechanism involved in meningococcal disease, offering new insights into its treatment. A defect in the activation of Protein C could be treated with administration of active Protein C, bypassing the requirements for activation on blood vessels.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 8, 2001
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Effective treatments lacking for most desperate AIDS patients

AIDS researchers urge collaboration to develop new treatments for drug-resistant HIV patients, who represent 30% of treated cases in the US. The lack of effective therapies sets the stage for a dangerous epidemic of drug-resistant HIV.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 8, 2001

Scientists discover new source of natural fertilizer in oceans

Researchers find nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in Pacific Ocean water samples near Hawaii, contributing significantly to ocean nitrogen fixation. The newly discovered bacteria are more abundant and active than previously thought, with potential implications for global warming.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001

Robots make more cash than city traders

A recent study by IBM and researchers found that software-based robotic trading agents ('bots') made seven per cent more cash than people in a commodities market test. The bots used basic strategies to maximize their profit, while humans were given an upper spending limit and minimum sale price.

SourceNew Scientist·DateAug 8, 2001

NIH awards USC team $22 million to seek cancer-causing genes

The grant aims to continue research into breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer's genetic basis using the Hawaii/Los Angeles Multiethnic Cohort Study. The expanded funding will enable the collection of blood samples from over 215,000 participants, providing insights into cancer risks and susceptibilities.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateAug 8, 2001
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.

NIAID awards grant to rapidly sequence the malaria mosquito genome

The NIAID has awarded a $9 million grant to Celera to rapidly sequence the Anopheles mosquito genome. This initiative will provide scientists with a unique opportunity to study the natural history of malaria by analyzing and comparing the genomes of mosquitoes, humans, and Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateAug 8, 2001

Patients with rare blood cancer respond to thalidomide

Researchers have found that thalidomide can help patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, a group of disorders affecting the bone marrow and leading to acute myeloid leukemia. The study showed a 20% response rate among patients treated with thalidomide, with some achieving transfusion independence.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalBlood·DateAug 8, 2001

Clues to early history of Solar System's oldest diamonds

Researchers study presolar diamond grains found in meteorites and simulate implantation of ions to test mechanism. The results reveal a bimodal release of noble gases with different temperatures, suggesting at least two events involved in the introduction of xenon.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Virtual news could make journalists obsolete

The AI-powered Author system can generate readable prose, including dialogue and short stories, by analyzing a story plan and applying rules to create grammatically correct sentences. However, it still lacks the ability to discern fact from fiction, which is a significant hurdle before it can be used for hot news reporting.

SourceNew Scientist·DateAug 8, 2001

Cannibalism in the North Atlantic: Scripps researcher finds crustacean species keeps population in check by eating its young

A new study by Scripps researchers reveals that tiny marine crustaceans called copepods use cannibalism as a mechanism to limit their population. The study found that egg mortality in copepod species Calanus finmarchicus is directly related to the abundance of females in the population, suggesting a self-regulating mechanism.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001

New source of natural fertilizer discovered in oceans

Scientists have found a new source of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, which could contribute significantly to ocean nitrogen fixation. The newly discovered bacteria are active at greater depths and longer time periods than known marine cyanobacteria, with potential implications for global warming.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001

Widespread 'superbug' is expert at acquiring drug-resistance

Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered that a persistent lineage of Staphylococcus aureus is exceptionally adept at acquiring resistance to antibiotics. This 'Iberian' clone, first identified in 1986, has spread globally and is resistant to multiple antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2001
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.