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Science News Archive 2002


Page 49 of 93

NY Regents standards inadvertently increasing dropouts

The survey found that in half of the state's school districts, students are opting for a General Equivalency Development (GED) certification instead of passing Regents courses. This trend is serving as a pressure release on the system, with students enrolled in GED programs being reported as transfers and not high school dropouts.

Gene expression profiles predict survival of lymphoma patients after chemotherpy

Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles from thousands of lymphoma biopsy samples to identify predictive genes that can predict patient response to treatment and survival rates. The study found that a formula created from 17 key genes could accurately classify patients into four groups with varying five-year survival rates.

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.

Discovery could lead to faster, smaller, cheaper computer chips

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method for printing ultrasmall patterns in silicon wafers, which could increase transistor density on chips by 100-fold. This breakthrough, called Laser-Assisted Direct Imprint, eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming etching processes.

Image of the Year announced by Society of Nuclear Medicine

The Society of Nuclear Medicine announced its Image of the Year, showcasing an innovative PET scan for detecting lung cancer in a patient with dermatomyositis. The image also highlights a groundbreaking study on dopamine transporters in mouse brains using ultra-high resolution SPECT.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Androgen therapy boosts muscle strength for older men

A study by E. Todd Schroeder and colleagues found that androgen therapy increased muscle mass, strength, and power in older men, improving their ability to perform daily activities. The findings suggest that supplemental androgen therapy might benefit older men prone to losing muscle mass due to sarcopenia.

Colloidal inks form self-supporting scaffolds through robocasting

Researchers develop concentrated colloidal inks that form self-supporting features through a robotic deposition process, allowing for complex shapes and chemical composition variations. The technique enables the creation of fine-scale structures with features as small as 100 microns.

Humanity's din could be blocking whales' courtship songs

Researchers discovered that fin whales sing low-frequency songs during krill feasts, which could be hampered by human-made noise. The study suggests that human activities like sonar and shipping may interfere with whale communication and reproduction, threatening population recovery.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New method for 'visualizing' proteins

A new technique uses ESR to measure distances between atoms in proteins, revealing the overall structure of a molecule. This method is particularly useful for studying larger protein assemblies and membrane-embedded proteins, which are challenging to study using traditional methods.

Chemists make first boron nanowhiskers

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully made boron nanowhiskers, the world's first crystalline nanowires, exhibiting semiconducting behavior and potential as key materials in nanoelectronics. The discovery could lead to the development of more reliable conductors, solving limitations faced by carbon nanotubes.

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.

New study sheds light on frog malformations

Researchers found that increasing UVB levels in wetlands are associated with an increased frequency of frog malformations. The study suggests that UV radiation may be a significant contributor to the decline of amphibian populations, particularly in areas where ozone depletion and climate change reduce natural UV protection.

Botox proving successful at preventing headaches

A study by Troost found Botox to be an effective preventive therapy for headache treatment, with 92% of patients experiencing improvement after four treatments. This alternative approach can reduce medication use and side effects, offering a promising solution for debilitating headaches.

Early statin use refined

A new analysis suggests that early statin use after a heart attack is only effective in patients with high cholesterol levels above the recommended guidelines. The study found no difference in mortality rates between those who received early statins and those who did not.

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.

Breast cancer mortality may be tied to prolonged exposure to low dose radiation

A study of female radiologic technologists found that prolonged exposure to low dose radiation is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer mortality. Women who started working as radiologic technologists before 1940 were nearly three times more likely to die from breast cancer than those who began working in 1960 or later.

Other highlights in the June 19 issue of JNCI

A study found that the GSTP1 polymorphism was associated with increased survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Meanwhile, research on human herpesvirus-8 suggested that the K1 gene may play a role in malignant transformation.

Molecular 'stop signs' may hold secret of nerve regeneration

Scientists have identified brain chemicals that can stimulate nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury, providing a potential new target for intervention. By understanding how these chemicals interact with inhibitors, researchers hope to develop treatments to repair damaged nerve cells and improve outcomes for patients.

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.

Genetic manifestation of melanoma linked to geographic location

A study found that genetic mutation penetrance for melanoma varies by geographic location, with higher risks in countries like the US and Australia. Researchers suggest environmental factors contribute to this variation, contradicting previous assumptions about gene mutations and their impact on disease expression.

'Sloppy genes' behave like their neighbours

Researchers found over 200 groups of adjacent and similarly expressed genes in Drosophila melanogaster, accounting for approximately 20% of the genome. The 'sloppy' regulation may reflect chromatin's packaging and influence gene expression more by accident than design.

Tomato packs more cancer-fighting punch

Researchers at Purdue University and the USDA have developed tomatoes with significantly higher levels of lycopene, a key cancer-fighting antioxidant. The genetically modified tomatoes contain up to 3.5 times more lycopene than conventional varieties, which may help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New model to help engineers improve heat-resistant coatings

A new computational model developed at Purdue University accurately predicts the performance of thermal-barrier coatings, allowing designers to predict the properties of various mixtures. The model has been shown to be over 90% accurate and promises to save time and money by ruling out ineffective mixtures.

Fungi help some trees weather acid rain, not all

Researchers found that certain fungi can supply calcium to trees in acidic soils, reducing the loss of essential nutrients. However, not all tree species have beneficial fungal associations, and other factors like soil acidity can still hinder plant growth.

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.

Ecological risks of GMOs come in unexpected ways, model shows

A computer model reveals that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can lead to the extinction of natural populations in as few as 20 generations. The research also identifies an 'invasion risk' where introduced genes spread through the population without reducing overall size.

Dartmouth/VA researchers examine news coverage of breast cancer prevention

A study by Dartmouth/VA researchers found that major US news media favored routine use of screening mammography and urged caution about tamoxifen, with greater emphasis on the negative aspects of the latter. The coverage of these issues highlights the need for balanced media reporting to focus on science rather than emotions or politics.

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 insight into origin of superconductivity in magnesium diboride

Researchers used two techniques to examine the electronic structure of magnesium diboride, revealing interactions between electron holes that contribute to its superconductivity. The findings provide new insight into the material's properties and may lead to improved magnetic resonance imaging and electric power transmission.

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.

HPET & CT image fusion study reveals limitations for radiotherapy planning

The study found that while the CT and HPET images could be co-registered within 2mm in centrally located tumor inserts, tumor inserts on the peripheral were only 8-10mm due to distortion and resolution loss of HPET images. This made it difficult for a therapist to refine treatment volume using the co-registered HPET/CT images.

PET/CT may identify 'vulnerable' aortic plaque

A study using PET/CT scans found that 58.8% of patients had at least one positive focus of FDG uptake in the thoracic aortic wall, which may indicate 'vulnerable' plaque. This could lead to future cardiovascular events if left untreated.

FDG PET predicts outcome in osteosarcomas

The study found that higher initial FDG uptake in tumor was associated with poorer prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. Patients identified as having high FDG uptake could be treated more aggressively to improve outcomes.

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.

Experience alters how we perceive emotion

A recent study by Seth Pollak found that children who have experienced physical abuse categorize facial expressions differently than non-abused children. Abused children identified more faces as being 'angry' rather than fearful or sad. This suggests that experience can shape how people perceive and understand emotions.

Exploring the genetic commonality of alcohol and tobacco abuse

Researchers found that male and female rats selectively bred for high and low sensitivity to alcohol also exhibited differences in their response to nicotine. The study suggests that genetic factors may contribute to the co-occurrence of these two substances in individuals, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.

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.

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, June 18, 2002

A study found contaminated E. coli bacteria in hot sauces from popular tourist restaurants in Mexico and Texas, increasing the risk of travelers' diarrhea. A simple test can detect peripheral arterial disease by comparing blood pressure in the arm and lower leg.

Membrane filters offer options for cleaner water

University of Houston researchers are studying novel filtration membranes that can remove up to 90% of natural organic material from water. Their goal is to design better large-scale filtration systems to improve the quality of drinking water supplies, particularly in areas with contaminated or dirty water sources.

Cardiac differences in infants born to HIV-positive mothers may persist

A long-term pediatric AIDS study of over 500 children reveals that cardiac abnormalities may persist in infants born to HIV-positive mothers. The study found that both infected and uninfected children had higher left ventricle mass and lower contractility, but differences dissipated over time.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New radioimmunotherapy cancer treatment

Researchers have developed a new radioimmunotherapy cancer treatment that has shown significant promise in treating mantle cell lymphoma. The study found that high-dose therapy resulted in complete remission for seven of eight patients, compared to only one of four with low-dose therapy.

New cellular evolution theory rejects Darwinian assumptions

A new cellular evolution theory challenges Darwinian assumptions by emphasizing horizontal gene transfer as the driving force behind cellular life's evolution. This process allowed for the acquisition of alien cellular components, including genes and proteins, to promote evolutionary change.

Few women regret sterilization procedures

A recent study published by the NIH found that approximately 6-7% of women experience regret after tubal sterilization, with a higher risk for those who have experienced conflict with their husbands. The study also discovered that only 2% of women request reversal of either procedure.