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Science News Archive December 2001


Page 2 of 6

18th Century Reverend enlightens evolutionary biologists

Researchers from Uppsala University developed new computer-based methods for Bayesian inference in evolutionary biology, enabling analysis of complex problems on ordinary desktop computers. The new methods can be applied to various fields, including species relationship reconstruction and molecular evolution studies.

Massachusetts leads the nation in unemployment growth

A new study by Northeastern University finds that Massachusetts has seen an unprecedented increase in unemployment, with the state's rate rising to over 80% in just over a year. College-educated workers are disproportionately affected, with many facing layoffs in high-tech and engineering fields.

IBM's test-tube quantum computer makes history

Scientists at IBM's Almaden Research Center performed the first demonstration of Shor's historic factoring algorithm, solving a simple version of the mathematical problem at the heart of many data-security systems. The team controlled a billion molecules in a test tube to become a seven-qubit quantum computer.

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.

Damping the flames: inflammation control mechanism determined

Researchers have discovered that a specific cell surface molecule senses runaway inflammation and tissue damage, allowing the body to limit excessive inflammation. The study found that the adenosine receptor plays a central role in controlling inflammation, and its dysfunction may lead to impaired inflammation regulation.

Fish may show how nature diversifies

Researchers at HHMI used the threespine stickleback as a model to study genetic changes that define a species. They discovered that different chromosome regions control the development of different parts of the fish skeleton and found correlations between spine lengths and genetic variation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Archaeologists rewrite timeline of Bronze and Iron Ages

Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Reading have given a new kind of precision to the timeline of the Bronze and Iron Ages in the Aegean and Near East. The study, published in Science, dates certain artifacts from around 740 B.C., placing an early appearance of the alphabet outside Phoenicia at this time.

Gold: a metal with a silver lining

Researchers at Texas A&M University are refining a process using small gold clusters to improve materials, including textiles and antifreeze. This could lead to more efficient and environmentally superior production methods.

Gasoline additive interferes with alcohol breath analyzers

A study found that gasoline additives like MTBE can interfere with older breath-alcohol analyzers, but not newer models. This raises concerns about the accuracy of breath tests for people exposed to high levels of MTBE, such as workers in the gas station industry.

UF study: Grandparents celebrated instead of reviled in children's lit

A recent study by UF researchers found that only three out of 64 children's books published since 1985 presented grandparents negatively, while at least one grandparent was actively involved with grandchildren in all the books. The study highlights the positive portrayal of grandparents in modern children's literature, showcasing their...

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.

Trauma survivors losing less sleep than they think

Research suggests that trauma survivors often underestimate their sleep quality and overestimate their sleep time. Studies have found that with proper treatments like progressive muscle relaxation and stimulus control, traumatic memories can be left behind without impacting sleep., Timely treatment of sleep disorders may prevent PTSD o...

Protein study suggests ways to help humans thwart viruses

Researchers identified a genetic anomaly in mice resistant to the ecotropic murine leukemia virus, a major cancer-causing virus. By analyzing proteins, they found a defective protein that blocks viral entry, potentially leading to new gene therapies for humans.

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.

Study shows alcohol boosts death risk for boat passengers as well as operators

A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that boating deaths are more closely tied to alcohol consumption than previously thought. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from over 3,900 boaters and 221 boat-related deaths between 1990 and 1998.

Boating safety: don't drink and ride

A study found that alcohol use significantly raises the risk of death for both passengers and operators on recreational boats. Drinking while on a boat impairs an individual's ability to rescue themselves, increasing the chances of drowning and hypothermia.

RHIC begins colliding high-energy polarized protons

Physicists at RHIC are investigating how gluons contribute to proton spin by colliding polarized protons. The experiment aims to tease apart the individual contributions of quarks and gluons to the proton's spin.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Drinking linked to disability among older Americans

A study of nearly 10,000 participants aged 51-62 found that problem drinkers were 33% more likely to report limitations in work or home functions. Heavy drinking was also associated with increased disability incidence, especially among those without a prior problem drinking history.

Battling the barnacle

The U.S. Navy is seeking non-toxic solutions to combat barnacle infestations, which cost billions of dollars annually due to drag on ship hulls. Researchers are exploring flexible and textured coatings that may repel or deter barnacles without harming marine organisms.

Annals of Internal Medicine, Tip Sheet, December 18, 2001

The article highlights three articles addressing hypertension control: managing diabetes, blood pressure-lowering drugs, and the DASH diet. Additionally, a study reveals gaps in newspaper articles on mammography, which often oversimplify or misrepresent scientific evidence.

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.

Glaucoma among Mexican-Americans

A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that glaucoma affects approximately 0.5% of people aged 41-49 and up to 12% of those aged 80+, with women being disproportionately affected. The high prevalence among Mexican-Americans may be attributed to barriers such as cost of care and distrust of majority culture.

Primitive microbe offers model for evolution of animals

Scientists discovered a receptor tyrosine kinase in single-celled choanoflagellates, a group of protists with characteristics similar to those of multicellular animals. The finding provides strong support for the hypothesis that choanoflagellates are closely related to metazoans and may represent modern examples of animal ancestors.

Microbe genes help scientists reconstruct animal origins

Researchers have discovered a key cell communication gene in modern choanoflagellates, revealing that the genetic tools needed for multicellular animals were already present in single-celled microbes. This finding supports the idea that genes came before their exploitation by organisms.

Do you compute?

Scientists create detailed computer simulations of brain neurons and their assemblies to understand how the brain computes. They're building VLSI chips that accurately model retinas and can produce output spikes matching real retinae, with potential applications in retinal implants.

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.

Right better than left in asthma medication for children

A large-scale study shows that levalbuterol is more effective and produces fewer side effects than racemic albuterol in children. The new formulation contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol, making it a valuable alternative for pediatric patients.

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.

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.

Scent of a lobster

Researchers are studying the small hairs on lobsters' antennules to capture odors at high resolution. By understanding how these hairs process information, scientists hope to create more efficient chemical-sensing systems for the Navy.

Cancer drugs induce premature aging in tumor cells

Researchers found that certain cancer drugs induce features of cellular aging, which can help stop the growth of cancer cells. The study suggests that some cancer treatments may have an unexpected side effect: causing premature aging in tumor cells.

New lab test could speed development of new class of AIDS drugs

Researchers developed a fast laboratory test to study and design new compounds blocking HIV molecular components before infection. The test accelerates the discovery process, allowing pharmaceutical companies to target the entire preintegration complex, a critical step in HIV replication.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NHLBI study finds DASH diet and reduced sodium lowers blood pressure for all

A recent NHLBI study found that the DASH diet and reducing dietary sodium can lower blood pressure in diverse populations, including those with hypertension, older adults, and younger individuals. The study's findings suggest that these lifestyle changes can benefit Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and health statuses.

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.

Scientists milk animals for malaria vaccine

Researchers at NIAID have successfully produced a malaria vaccine using transgenic mice that secrete the vaccine protein in their milk. The vaccine has shown promising results, with only one out of five immunized monkeys contracting the disease.

Genetic protection against fetal alcohol syndrome?

Research suggests a link between genetic variation in the ADH2 gene and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) prevalence. The study found that individuals with the ADH2*2 allele had a lower risk of FAS, suggesting potential protection against fetal alcohol exposure.

Why do we 'choke' under pressure?

Golf putting study reveals that over-attending to well-learned skills can hinder performance, especially under pressure. The experiment shows that adapting to an environment where individuals focus on performance from the start of learning may provide immunity against 'choking'.

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.

Alcohol and dementia among the elderly

Research found moderate alcohol intake reduces risk of cognitive impairment in elderly individuals, particularly those consuming less than 40g daily. Conversely, high levels of alcohol consumption increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction.

Adolescents with alcohol problems: redefining the basics

Researchers used Longitudinal Data Analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of adolescents with common patterns of symptoms, improving the accuracy of DSM-IV AUD diagnoses. The study found a one-year decrease in severity of alcohol-related problems after substance-abuse treatment.

Investigating a 'protective gene' against alcoholism

A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that the ADH2*3 allele may be associated with a lowered risk for developing alcoholism in young African American adults. The allele, which is prevalent among people of African descent, has been linked to faster and more efficient alcohol metabolism.

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.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.