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Science News for April 24, 2002


Research shows school system still 'old boys club'

A recent study by University of Toronto professor Cecilia Reynolds found that women are underrepresented in school leadership positions and often face limited opportunities for advancement. Women who do become principals are frequently assigned to challenging schools, perpetuating gender imbalances in the education system.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·DateApr 24, 2002

Study shows digestive, liver woes cost nation $85.5 billion annually

A study published in Gastroenterology reveals the top gastrointestinal and liver diseases causing financial burden, with GERD being the most expensive at $9.3 billion annually. The study estimates a total of $36 billion in direct costs and $22.8 billion in indirect costs, affecting millions of Americans.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateApr 24, 2002

Research yields new insights into molecular control of addiction

Researchers have made significant discoveries about the molecular mechanisms underlying addiction, memory formation, and brain plasticity. A key molecule called AP1 has been found to play a crucial role in controlling synaptic changes, which are more extensive than previously thought and resemble those induced by real experience.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalNature·DateApr 24, 2002
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Kids getting a steady diet of fast food on the tube

A study analyzing US commercials aired during children's shows found a surge in fast-food portion sizes since the 1970s. Researchers suggest this could contribute to childhood obesity and heart disease if combined with decreased physical activity.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002

Much ado about nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes have been shown to exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, enabling the creation of high-speed electronic devices. The breakthrough could lead to the development of hand-held DNA detectors, superfast optical detectors, and computer chip speeds faster than current Pentium processors.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateApr 24, 2002

Genetic 'bar codes' predict effect of statins

Researchers analyzed participants' CETP genes to find genetic markers for heart disease. They discovered a pattern of gene variations called haplotype, which showed a significant association with the person's response to statin therapy.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002
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.

Green roofs cool for summer, environmentalist says

A preliminary study at the University of Toronto found that green roofs were better at protecting roof membranes from extreme temperatures than conventional roofs. Green roofs also reduced storm water run-off and kept summer temperatures inside structures lower due to vegetation cooling effect.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·DateApr 24, 2002

Tropical scientists find fewer species than expected

Researchers estimated that New Guinea's plant community is dominated by clusters of closely related plant species, which are fed upon by a greater number of insects. This discovery leads to revised estimates of total world species numbers, with the range being between 4.8 million and 6 million.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature·DateApr 24, 2002

Firstborn: First risk for heart disease?

Researchers found that 46.7% of coronary heart disease patients were firstborn, with lower rates of cigarette smoking and similar risk factors compared to younger siblings. The study suggests primogeniture as an independent predisposing determinant of CHD, which should be taken into account when assessing global patient risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002

Triggers for sudden cardiac death differ by gender

A study of 122 men and women who suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrests found that women were more likely to report psychological stressors as triggers before their arrest, while men were more likely to report physical exertion. The study suggests that emotional triggers may play a role in sudden cardiac death for women.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002
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.

Doctor-patient collaboration necessary to change unhealthy behavior

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force emphasizes the importance of personalized advice from doctors to motivate patients to change unhealthy behaviors. Effective methods include engaging patients in self-management practices and shared decision-making, prioritizing patient autonomy and choice.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 24, 2002

Teen habitual smokers more receptive to cigarette ads, think they can quit anytime

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that teen habitual smokers who believed they could quit anytime had a higher risk of progressing to established smoking. Teenagers who were highly receptive to tobacco advertising also had a higher risk, with 70% more likely to have progressed to established smoking.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 24, 2002

Navy's new 'gunk-o-lyzer'?

The LaserNet Fines instrument uses algorithms based on neural networking to analyze particulate matter, making accurate predictions with 97% accuracy. This technology has immense potential for improving the Navy's safety and readiness while reducing costs in multiple industries, including railroad, trucking, and construction.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateApr 24, 2002

Link found between low birth weight and DNA from mothers

Researchers have discovered a significant link between low birth weight and mitochondrial DNA passed from mothers to offspring. This finding suggests that genetics play a substantial role in determining birth weight, and may also contribute to adult illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Primatology·DateApr 24, 2002
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

High-dose interferon beta-1b for multiple sclerosis patients

A 2-year study found that high-dose interferon beta-1b significantly reduced relapse rates and new brain lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis compared to interferon beta-1a. The treatment also showed a strong association between MS and type-1 diabetes in the Sardinian population.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 24, 2002

Biodiversity crucial to Earth's ecosystems

Researchers found that losing species initially leads to reduced productivity, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in complex ecosystems. The study used a larger food web system, revealing a more dramatic effect than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 24, 2002

More evidence of possible link between hearing loss and CVD

A study found that women with a history of heart attack were 2.7 times more likely to have impaired cochlear function than those without, highlighting a potential link between CVD and age-related hearing loss. The research used a new technology to test cochlear function in over 1,600 participants aged 52-97.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002

Picky eaters rare among tropical insects

A new study estimates 3.7 to 5.9 million insects worldwide, down from Erwin's initial estimate of 30 million. The research suggests that specialist herbivores are rare, and genera rather than species are the preferred unit for biodiversity calculations.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalNature·DateApr 24, 2002

Tired and angry? Both emotions may predict heart attacks

A new study found that tiredness, frustration, and fatigue can increase the risk of heart attacks. Researchers analyzed data from over 12,000 participants, aged 45-64, to determine if psychological factors such as anger, vital exhaustion, and chronic fatigue could predict long-term heart attack risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002
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.

Mirror fibers could create novel fabrics

MIT scientists develop polymer fibers with a 'perfect mirror' structure, enabling reflection of light across various wavelengths and potential applications in optical textiles. The breakthrough utilizes dielectric materials to control the fiber's optical properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2002

Study highlights need for hepatitis C vaccine

A recent study found that people previously infected with HCV are 12 times less likely to develop persistent infection than those infected for the first time. This suggests that immunity can be acquired to protect against viral persistence, making vaccines a potential solution to reduce medical consequences of HCV infection.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 24, 2002

Cancer center study shows state's workplace smoking laws are effective

A study by the University of California, San Diego Cancer Center found that the percentage of smoke-free workplaces increased from 35% to over 93%, while nearly half of adult smokers lived in smoke-free homes. The study highlights the effectiveness of clean air legislation and education in reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 24, 2002
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.

Bat sonar and anti-submarine warfare

Researchers aim to mimic bat echolocation using synthetic aperture sonar, allowing for more accurate detection of submarines and mines. By duplicating bats' ability to differentiate between echoes, naval sonars can identify objects separated by the width of a human hair.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateApr 24, 2002

New oral medication halts blindness in AIDS patients

A new oral medication, valganciclovir, has been shown to be as effective as traditional intravenous treatment for CMV retinitis in AIDS patients. The pill form reduces the need for permanent catheters and improves patient convenience.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 24, 2002

Salamanders change spots: Was it environmental stress?

Researchers found salamanders with unusual, asymmetrical spots in a pond on an Ithaca golf course, suggesting environmental stress. The study compared 60-year-old samples with contemporary ones, showing a significant change in spot symmetry.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Herpetology·DateApr 24, 2002
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Mercury ups heart disease risk

A study found that Finnish men with high mercury levels in their hair had a 60% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 70% increased risk of coronary heart disease. The study suggests that avoiding regular consumption of old, large predatory fish is key to reducing the risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2002