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Science News Archive November 2001


Page 2 of 9

Two thirds of the world's blind are women

The analysis found that two-thirds of the world's blind are concentrated in India, China, and Africa. Women living in underdeveloped countries were almost 40% more likely to be blind than men, while those in industrialized nations had a risk 63% higher.

Activist jazz-tap scholar shares as she learns

Kilkelly's research explores the historical performances of jazz-tap dancing, considering constructions of gender, race, class, and sexuality. She aims to increase appreciation for tap dancing as a valuable art form revealing American culture.

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.

Air pollution causes lung disease in school-age children

A study found excessive inflammation and abnormal markings in lungs of healthy, middle-class children exposed to high levels of air pollutants in Mexico City. The research suggests a significant link between pollution and lung disease in otherwise healthy children.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Optimizing antiviral peptide vaccines

Researchers have developed optimized antiviral peptide vaccines that exhibit enhanced efficacy against various viral infections, including HIV and SARS-CoV-2. These improvements are attributed to the incorporation of specific amino acid sequences that enhance immune responses.

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.

Poor or immobile elderly may not eat well this holiday

A study by Cornell University researchers found that factors like poverty, low education, and social isolation are linked to inadequate purchasing power for a nutritious diet. The research also reveals that functional impairments significantly increase the risk of food insecurity among elderly individuals.

Study proves flu shot safe for asthmatics

A new study has shown that the flu shot does not trigger asthma attacks in people with moderate to severe asthma. The study included 2,032 children and adults diagnosed with asthma, who received either a real or placebo flu vaccine, with all participants receiving the actual flu vaccine by the end of the study.

Stanford engineer studies neural prosthetics

Researchers at Stanford and Caltech have made a breakthrough in neural prosthetics, demonstrating that electrical signals from the parietal reach region can control movement and planning. The study enabled a monkey to control a cursor with its thoughts, paving the way for potential applications in helping severely paralyzed patients.

Radio frequency energy zaps tumors without surgery

Researchers have successfully treated kidney tumors using radio frequency energy, achieving a 91% tumor ablation rate and no cancer recurrences in 9 of 11 patients. The minimally invasive procedure is less expensive, safer, and easier than surgery.

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.

Brains of deaf people rewire to ‘hear’ music

Researchers found that deaf people's brains process vibrations in the same part of the brain as sound, leading to a similar musical experience. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that brains are hardwired at birth and instead shows that our genes provide a developmental strategy for brain organization.

Hubble measures atmosphere on world around another star

Astronomers detected sodium in the atmosphere of a gas giant exoplanet orbiting a yellow star. The team used Hubble's spectrometer to analyze light passing through the planet's atmosphere, revealing less sodium than expected, which may indicate high-altitude clouds blocking some light.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Supplement reduces risk of aflatoxin-related liver cancer

A double-blind study conducted in China found that chlorophyllin supplements reduced DNA damage related to aflatoxin exposure in healthy adults. The study showed a 55% reduction in aflatoxin damage, which could lead to a lower risk of liver cancer.

Purdue leads center using pollution-busting plants, microbes

The Purdue-based center will focus on bioremediation and phytoremediation to clean up pollution. It will work with state governments, local communities, and industry to revitalize polluted sites using cost-effective natural remediation technologies.

Canadian researchers find cancer suspect from grilled meat in human milk

Canadian researchers found high levels of PhIP, a suspected mammary carcinogen, in human breast milk, particularly in samples from women who consumed grilled meats. To minimize exposure, experts recommend reducing cooked meat intake, avoiding charbroiled or well-done meats, and exploring alternative cooking methods.

Gender differences possible root of sleeping disorder

Researchers at UW-Madison found that female rats have an improved protective reaction to oxygen deprivation, suggesting a role for estrogen in respiratory control. The study suggests that gender hormones may be a factor in the development of obstructive sleep apnea, particularly in women.

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.

ThermoChemistry on a chip

Scientists at RTI in North Carolina have developed a high-efficiency thermocouple device that can make something hotter or colder over 20,000 times faster than current devices. This innovation has the potential to convert heat into electrical energy more efficiently and could lead to affordable plug-in modules for widespread use.

Trends in the use of Ritalin in Canada

A meta-analysis of 2897 participants found short-acting methylphenidate effective for ADD, but with side effects such as decreased appetite and insomnia. Prescription rates in British Columbia increased rapidly compared to the US, with higher rates in lower socioeconomic quintiles.

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.

Assaulting the mosquito’s sense of smell

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified four genes in the Anopheles gambiae mosquito that code for odorant receptors similar to those found in fruit flies. These genes are only expressed in the antennae and maxillary palps, indicating that mosquitoes use a conserved chemosensory system to track human body odor.

Parental marital discord affects quality of offspring marriages

A longitudinal study by Dr. Alan Booth and Dr. Paul R. Amato found that parental marital discord impacts offspring marriages, including the degree of matrimonial happiness or conflict. The transmission of poor interpersonal behaviors from parents can result in lower quality marriages among children.

Boneless, brainy, and ancient

Researchers have discovered that an octopus's brain operates like a general in command of troops, issuing orders to independent peripheral nervous systems. This decentralized control enables the octopus to perform complex tasks with high maneuverability and flexibility.

Alzheimer's disease and exposure to vaccines

A study by René Verreault and colleagues found that past vaccine exposure was associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The researchers used multivariate logistic regressions to compare vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects, adjusting for age, sex, and education.

Electrical brain stimulation reduces Parkinson’s symptoms

A study published in Neurology found that electrical brain stimulation increased 'on' motor function by 29 percent and improved 'off' motor function by 38 percent in Parkinson's patients. The treatment reduced the severity of fluctuations in motor symptoms, allowing patients to complete tasks faster and improve their overall mobility.

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.

Protein could help rejuvenate oxygen-starved cardiac tissue, heal wounds

Researchers genetically engineered mice to overexpress the HIF-1α gene in skin cells, resulting in a 70% increase in capillaries and normal-like blood vessels. The study suggests that HIF-1α harnesses VEGF expression in a way that could be beneficial therapeutically for conditions like ischemic tissue and recalcitrant wounds.

New bacteria target cancers in mice

Scientists discovered a bacteria, Clostridium novyi, that thrives in oxygen-poor environments and destroys tumor cells. In mouse models, the bacteria was combined with chemotherapy to achieve dramatic results, completely destroying over half of the treated tumors within 24 hours.

Mirror, mirror on the ball...

The Starshine Satellite Project involves students from Pakistan, New Zealand, Brazil, and India polishing thousands of mirrors to help calibrate The Fence, the Navy's space surveillance network. Once launched, students will be able to track the satellite's movement as it passes across the skies.

Antarctic plants repair themselves

Researchers found that Antarctic plants can repair themselves after exposure to harmful UV radiation, with effective DNA repair mechanisms at low temperatures. However, the team expects a rise in temperature to lead to a shift in vegetation composition, with rapidly growing grasses and mosses replacing lichens.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Antique device makes microscope faster

The Utrecht spectrograph uses a prism to disperse light, resulting in faster pictures with reduced light loss. Researchers used it to study proteins from muscle tissue and discovered unexpected chemical reactions triggered by illumination.

The immune system and Alzheimer’s disease

The amyloid beta protein found in plaques stimulates the production of toxic substances that attract new surrounding cells, causing brain cell death. Astrocytes, normally involved in maintaining brain structure, slow down these processes and protect against inflammation.

Analyses show water stayed on Mars longer than previously thought

Researchers analyzed topographic maps and meteorites to determine that water circulated in the upper part of Mars' crust within the last billion years. This finding suggests that water may still be present near the surface, with evidence of recent gullies forming in high-latitude regions.

Hip research: Making more durable artificial joints

A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University is developing computer simulated models to predict the performance of new implant designs before they are implanted into patients. They aim to uncover how damage occurs in plastic used in total joint replacements and identify potential design concerns.

Earth’s magnetic field really did reverse itself

Researchers used a new method to study sediment sediments, revealing a short-lived change in the earth's magnetic field. They found that bacteria formed magnetic material in an organically rich layer in the eastern Mediterranean.

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.

Genetically engineered T cell tackles kidney cancer

Researchers at Rotterdam University Hospital develop genetically engineered T cells to target kidney cancer. The therapy combines the cellular immune system with the humoral immune system, offering a promising treatment option for patients with metastases.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Iron Age burial sites provide evidence of social changes

In the Iron Age, local identity was centered around ancestral burial sites, but shifted to family and settlement ties as people began to settle and cultivate land. This change had significant implications for community cohesion and collective identity.

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.

Scientists determine the structure of human Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO B)

Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center revealed the architecture of MAO B's active site and membrane binding sites, enabling improved drug design with increased specificity and fewer side effects. The study also highlights potential applications in treating depression and neurodegenerative diseases.

Forest management may mitigate global warming

A decade-long study suggests forest management can influence carbon uptake, but factors such as tree species and age confound the process. The researchers' findings validate a new method for measuring carbon dioxide levels, highlighting the need for careful consideration of forest management strategies.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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