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Science News for December 20, 2001


Rare squid found in Gulf of Mexico

Scientists discover rare squid with thin tentacles, stretching up to ten times its body length. The finding suggests the creature is widespread and highlights scientists' depth of ignorance about deep oceans.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001

UW research boosts understanding of how hydrogen transfer works

Researchers at the University of Washington have made significant progress in understanding how hydrogen atoms are transferred between molecules, a key step in creating new compounds. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient manufacturing methods, cleaner product development, and improved chemical reactions.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001
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.

Long-term soy consumption does not effect hormones in postmenopausal women

A study of 73 postmenopausal women found no significant changes in serum estrogen, cortisol, or follicle stimulating hormone levels after consuming soy protein for up to 6 months. Circulating thyroid hormone levels were modestly increased in those taking the highest dose of soy isoflavones.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateDec 20, 2001

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for December (first issue)

Researchers found a significant link between sarcoidosis and family history, with affected individuals more likely to have siblings or parents with the disease. Air pollution during adolescence also affects lung function growth and performance, while improved HIV treatment reduces the risk of pulmonary complications.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 20, 2001
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Protein discovery tied to DNA master switch

Researchers have identified a critical protein, SET7, that regulates gene expression by modifying histone H3. This discovery may lead to new treatments for diseases and provide insights into using stem cells to generate organs. The study reveals that SET7 makes chromatin structure more open, allowing other proteins to access genes.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 20, 2001

Science's Top Ten: nanoscale computing circuits named top scientific advance of 2001

Researchers created molecular-scale computing circuits that can carry out basic computing operations, paving the way for tiny but powerful machines. These circuits have the potential to translate conversations on the fly or diagnose illnesses quickly, and could provide computing power for decades to come.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001

Mentally ill patients more likely to die by homicide

A recent study published in The Lancet found that mentally ill patients are at a significantly higher risk of dying from homicide compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from over 72,000 individuals and revealed that those with mental illness were six times more likely to die by homicide.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 20, 2001

Insufficient yellow fever vaccine stocks in Africa

A recent yellow fever outbreak in Guinea highlights insufficient international stocks of the 17D yellow fever vaccine, which can protect for at least 10 years. WHO recommends an emergency stockpile of 1 million doses to provide a rapid response to large outbreaks.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 20, 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.

Researchers discover how body’s internal clock generates daily rhythms

Harvard Medical School researchers have identified a key pathway controlling circadian rhythms in hamsters, revealing the signals sent by the body's internal clock and its connection to light exposure. The discovery opens new avenues for research into sleep disorders and could lead to improved treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001

Protein protects against degeneration of neurons in fruit flies

A protective protein called a chaperone suppresses the toxicity of alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's disease. The study found that augmenting levels of Hsp70 corrected the deficit and overcame the toxic effect of loss of chaperone function.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001

Effective clinical practice, Nov/Dec 2001 highlights

A recent study revealed that screening high-risk patients for diabetes may not be cost-effective, with a low yield and high cost. Additionally, a quality intervention to improve depression care was ineffective in real-world settings, highlighting the need for system changes to close care gaps.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·DateDec 20, 2001
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.

Diets high in red meat linked to stomach and esophageal cancers

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that diets high in red meat, such as high meat or high milk diets, are associated with a higher risk of stomach and esophageal cancers. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help reduce this risk.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateDec 20, 2001

New insight into sudden infant death syndrome

A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation found an association between nitrate levels in groundwater and the incidence of SIDS. The researchers analyzed over 600 cases and discovered that deaths occurred more frequently during periods of high nitrate concentrations, particularly in areas with rapidly increasin...

SourceUppsala University·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 20, 2001

Penn team finds 'molecular chaperones' can halt progress of Parkinson's disease in fruit flies and possibly humans

A team of Penn researchers found that molecular chaperones can block the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's by preventing neuronal decay in Drosophila melanogaster. The study suggests that activating these molecules may be an effective approach to treating several human neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001

Connection between specific unsaturated fats and vascular inflammation

Linoleic acid significantly induced mRNA transcripts of inflammatory genes, while oleic acid showed protective effects on arterial endothelial cells. This study highlights the importance of plasma fatty acid concentrations in vascular disease research.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateDec 20, 2001
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Required activation 'cascade' identified for p53 tumor-suppressor protein

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a carefully orchestrated series of molecular modifications to p53 that must occur for it to perform its normal function. This discovery may suggest new ways to combat cancers where p53 is dysfunctional, and could also provide insights into the regulation of other DNA-binding proteins.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 20, 2001

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.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001