Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2001 - Page 2


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.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2001

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.

SourceNortheastern University·DateDec 19, 2001

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.

SourceIBM Watson Research Center·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2001
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2001

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.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 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.

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.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateDec 19, 2001

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.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateDec 19, 2001

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalForensic Science International·DateDec 19, 2001

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...

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Family Issues·DateDec 19, 2001
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.

Drunken driving costs and risk measured more accurately by economists

Researchers Levitt and Porter studied fatal two-car crashes to determine the percentage of people estimated to be driving drunk. Their findings show that drivers who had been drinking were seven times more likely to cause a fatal crash than sober drivers.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateDec 19, 2001

Ibuprofen blocks aspirin’s ability to protect against heart attacks

Researchers found that taking ibuprofen daily can reduce the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in preventing heart attacks. This interaction occurs because ibuprofen blocks aspirin from binding to the COX-1 enzyme, which is essential for platelet clotting and heart protection.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 19, 2001

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...

SourceAmerican Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 19, 2001

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.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Virology·DateDec 18, 2001
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalJAMA·DateDec 18, 2001

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·DateDec 18, 2001
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.

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.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalMilbank Quarterly·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 17, 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.

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateDec 17, 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.

Survey of intensive care units concludes that the current approach to preventing deep vein thrombosis is substandard

A survey of intensive care units found that many strategies to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were not being used, including support stockings and low molecular weight heparin. Physicians need more education on latest techniques to reduce DVT incidence, and fundamental research is needed to understand the condition.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateDec 17, 2001
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.

Experts announce global antimicrobial resistance initiative - World preview of the Global White Paper on bacterial resistance in respiratory tract infections - a call for concerted international action

A global white paper on bacterial resistance in respiratory tract infections calls for concerted international action to tackle the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The initiative aims to implement robust surveillance, education, and patient involvement to control resistance.

SourceKetchum UK·DateDec 17, 2001

Breaking the silence: Discovery could lead to new treatments for cancer, sickle-cell anemia

Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have discovered a potential new treatment for cancer and sickle-cell anemia by inhibiting gene silencing. The compound, splitomicin, effectively blocks the silencing of genes critical for healthy growth and may also be effective against certain cancers.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2001
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

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.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 17, 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.

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.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 17, 2001

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center investigator finds that transplant patients' newly-developed immune systems function effectively 20 to 30 years later

A study by Dr. Jan Storek found that long-term bone-marrow and stem-cell transplant survivors can live normal lives without frequent infections, with immunity recovering to normal within 20 years. The researchers also discovered that transplanted hematopoietic cells remain functional for at least 20-30 years.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalBlood·DateDec 17, 2001

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 17, 2001

Blood pressure medications not equal, researchers say

A recent study found that blood pressure-lowering drugs have varying effects on heart attacks and strokes. Researchers argue that existing testing methods may not accurately reflect a drug's true effectiveness.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 17, 2001
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.

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.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 16, 2001

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'.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateDec 16, 2001

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.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 16, 2001

New picture of intelligence highlights the overlooked role of visuospatial abilities

Visuospatial abilities and working memory are strongly correlated with executive function, a central cognitive command and control. This finding ties these skills to general intelligence, suggesting that traditional IQ tests may overlook important aspects of human cognition. The study aims to contribute to more fair and comprehensive t...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateDec 16, 2001

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.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 16, 2001
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.

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.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 16, 2001

World's smallest atom storage ring is first to guide ultra-cold neutral atoms; a step toward 'atom fiber optics'

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed the first storage ring to confine and guide ultra-cold neutral atoms in a circular path. The Nevatron ring marks a step toward creating atom fiber optics that could improve aircraft guidance systems and open new areas of study in basic physics.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 15, 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.