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Science News for November 19, 2001


Poverty, maternal depression linked to slowed early development

A new study found that children from poor families with depressed mothers experience delays in cognitive and motor development, while middle-class households offer some protection. The effects of maternal depression on boys and girls differ, with moderate depression in affluent families resulting in lower cognitive scores.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalChild Development·DateNov 19, 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.

Study first to confirm acupuncture's effect

Researchers measured the force required to overcome tissue-needle connection during acupuncture needling, finding a significant pullout force when needles were rotated. The study suggests that layers superficial to muscle may be involved in the body's response to acupuncture, with future research focusing on connective tissue's role.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateNov 19, 2001

Attention-deficit linked to smokers' self-medication needs

Individuals with severe inattention and hyperactivity symptoms may use tobacco as self-medication to manage their symptoms. The study suggests that screening participants in smoking cessation programs for these symptoms could identify smokers who need additional intervention and tailor treatments to address their specific needs.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateNov 19, 2001

Ocean circulation shut down by melting glaciers after last ice age

A NASA-funded study found that glacier melting can shut down North Atlantic Deep Water production, leading to a reduced Gulf Stream and cooling Western Europe. The study suggests that freshwater additions from increased rain and snow could cause this phenomenon in the future.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 19, 2001

All food energy improves memory in elderly, study says

A new study from the University of Toronto shows that consuming carbohydrate, fat and protein drinks of equal calories improves verbal recall in elderly individuals. The positive effects on memory are explained by an evolutionary perspective, suggesting specific types of food energy enhance specific aspects of brain function.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 19, 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.

New U. of Colorado electron microscopes provide cell images never seen before

The University of Colorado at Boulder has acquired two state-of-the-art electron microscopes, enabling researchers to image cellular structures in three dimensions at unprecedented resolution. This advancement is made possible by a suite of complementing computers that run programs developed by CU-Boulder researchers.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateNov 19, 2001

Drowsy fruit flies illuminate first molecular pathway, in any species, known to regulate rest and wakefulness

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified a gene called CREB that plays a role in regulating rest's rejuvenating effects. The study found that CREB activity is inversely related to the physiological urge for sleep and that blocking this activity increases the need for sleep after a period of wakefulness.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2001

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, November 20, 2001

A new study found that 41% of physicians would perform at least one action proscribed by the AMA's ethics guidelines, while 25% would perform five or more actions. The study suggests that some physicians are morally confused about their role in capital punishment.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 19, 2001

Programs promoting educational excellence worldwide

The University of Michigan School of Education has received a $175,000 grant from the Goldman Sachs Foundation to evaluate and support programs promoting educational excellence globally. The program focuses on developing academic abilities and entrepreneurial talents in underrepresented youth.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateNov 19, 2001

Blood vessels grown in live animals

Researchers at the University of Michigan successfully grew new, mature blood vessels in live animals by implanting scaffolds that delivered critical growth factors. The innovative approach, reported in Nature Biotechnology, has potential medical applications for alternatives to heart bypass surgery and treatments for vascular disease.

SourceWhitaker Foundation·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 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.

High HIV levels shut down anti-HIV immune responses

A new study reveals that HIV-specific CD4+ T cells persist in infected individuals, but high virus levels suppress their proliferative response. The research provides clues on how the virus manipulates the immune system for its own survival and challenges the notion of long-term nonprogressors.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2001

Lupus brain damage pathway illuminated

Researchers have discovered that antibodies attacking DNA in people with lupus can also target molecules controlling glutamate activity, leading to neuron death and possible cognitive symptoms. This finding suggests a potential pathway for neurological complications and may lead to new therapeutic options.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 19, 2001

Adelaide scientists make HIV a safe aid in gene therapy

Researchers at Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide have developed a way to safely use Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) to transfer therapeutic genes into human cells. This method has wide applicability for various human genetic diseases and is currently being tested on animal models before moving to human trials.

SourceWomen's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide - Part of the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateNov 19, 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.

New theory proposed for cystic fibrosis infections

Researchers discovered a link between the CFTR gene and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. They found that altered CFTR can change the internal chemistry of lung cells, making them more attractive to certain bacteria.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2001

Even small rise in family income helps young children from poor families

A new study finds that even modest increases in family economic resources improve cognitive development, language abilities, and social behavior in young children from poor families. The study discovered a correlation between income-to-need ratios and developmental outcomes in children from birth to age 3.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalChild Development·DateNov 19, 2001

Gene discovery offers insight into spina bifida

A team of researchers has identified a novel gene, Lpp1, that is mutated in mice with severe spina bifida. This discovery provides new insights into the genetic basis of the condition and may lead to the development of new therapies to prevent it.

SourceImperial College London·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateNov 19, 2001

HIV 'rides' into cells on membrane rafts, NIAID scientists determine

Researchers find HIV attachment to rafts is crucial for replication, and cholesterol-lowering drugs may help disrupt this process. Depleting cholesterol from rafts using compounds significantly reduces HIV's ability to infect new cells.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2001
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.

Racial difference seen in effectiveness of stop-smoking programs

A new study found that smoking cessation programs may be less effective for black smokers than for white smokers, with a 23% quit rate compared to 34% after one year. However, the difference narrowed over time, suggesting that interventions without specific adaptations for black participants may still be effective.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateNov 19, 2001

Photon switch on leading edge of more powerful computers

Researchers at University of Toronto have discovered a photon switch that can manipulate photons to transmit data in computers. The discovery has the potential to solve problems that traditional computers cannot, including database searches and cracking codes on the Internet.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 19, 2001