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Science News Archive April 2002


Page 9 of 10

Austin chemist wins American Chemical Society’s Priestley Medal

Bard has made significant contributions to the field of chemistry, including work on scanning electrochemistry microscopy and its applications in studying chemical reactions and biological functions. He is also a dedicated teacher and mentor, having mentored over 200 graduate students and thousands of undergraduate chemistry students.

Roll out of unique device to steer balloons in flight

The StratoSail system uses a wing suspended below the balloon to steer it through wind, enabling maneuvering towards desired regions or away from unfavorable conditions. With NASA funding, this technology aims to increase science observation strategies, safety, and payload recovery for stratospheric balloons.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study links single molecule to body’s healing process

Researchers found that lung injuries among mice lacking CD44 receptors developed inflammation that persisted until the receptors were restored. The study suggests a vital link between the CD44 receptor and the body's healing process.

Violence against women

The Lancet series highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence worldwide, which accounts for as much death and ill-health in women aged 15-44 years as cancer. The World Bank reports that violence against women is a greater cause of ill-health than malaria and traffic accidents combined.

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.

Childhood sexual abuse proves top predictor for HIV infection in women

A recent study found that childhood sexual abuse is a top predictor for HIV infection in women, with those who suffered abuse at age 18 being seven times more likely to engage in high-risk unprotected sex. Women who experienced trauma also faced greater economic and social challenges, making them more vulnerable to further exploitation.

Dow vice president wins national award for research management

Kurt W. Swogger, Dow vice president of research and development, received the American Chemical Society's Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management. The award recognizes his innovative approach to developing customer-specific plastics using molecular architecture, which has led to increased efficiency and suc...

Princeton chemist wins national award for molecular beams

Giacinto Scoles receives Peter Debye Award in Physical Chemistry for inventing new methods of creating controlled molecular beams, allowing study of chemical reactions in unprecedented detail. These techniques also contribute to the development of better semiconductors with improved performance.

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.

Michigan State scientists identify chemical come-on of sea lamprey

Researchers have discovered a new method to isolate and understand the chemicals released by male sea lampreys to lure females. The study reveals that males release pheromones, not females, to initiate mating, offering potential new strategies for controlling sea lamprey populations.

Tucson chemist wins national award for work with students

Dr. Doyle, a prominent chemist, has received the ACS George C. Pimentel Award for his contributions to chemical education. His most notable contribution is a study of 136 schools from 1986-2000 that found only 25% of published papers had student authors.

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for April (first issue)

Two new studies found a relationship between high cat allergen concentrations in the home and increased asthma symptoms among sensitized women. Researchers also discovered common delays in TB diagnosis and treatment, as well as abnormal pulmonary function linked to bacterial infection in cystic fibrosis patients.

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.

Chicago chemist wins national award for encouraging students

Chicago chemist James P. Shoffner has been honored with the American Chemical Society's Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences. Through initiatives like Project SEED, he provides opportunities for young students from inner cities to gain laboratory experience and connect with role models.

Microscopic hydrogel chambers facilitate drug screenings

Researchers developed a 3D biochip with tiny chemical reactor chambers and microfluidic delivery systems for growing cells and delivering chemicals. This technology enables high-throughput screening of hundreds of thousands of molecules while minimizing toxicity testing on animal models.

Survival benefit for rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate

A recent study published in The Lancet found that methotrexate treatment significantly improves survival rates among rheumatoid arthritis patients. By reducing cardiovascular mortality, methotrexate may provide a substantial survival benefit, setting a standard for future disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

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.

Minneapolis chemist wins national award for unique separations

A Minneapolis chemist has won a national award for his work on separating molecules using membranes, which can improve efficiency in distillation processes. His unique approach has also been applied to separate oxygen from water, as demonstrated by an experiment with a dog named Muggins.

Birmingham chemistry teacher wins national award for classroom innovations

Theresa Corley, a Birmingham chemistry teacher, has won the ACS James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching for her innovative approach to teaching high school chemistry. Her method incorporates real-life scenarios, history, and guest presentations to foster a sense of inquiry among her students.

Tallahassee chemist wins national award for 'weighing' mixtures

Marshall's work with mass spectrometry has enabled the analysis of complex mixtures such as blood and crude oil, identifying thousands of molecules and creating unique identifiers for oil sources. His techniques have been widely adopted in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and forensic science.

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.

Chicago chemist wins national award for new research methods

Bipin V. Vora has developed more efficient ways to make chemicals from petroleum, reducing environmental harm. His work on linear alkylbenzenes has improved the manufacture of environmentally-friendly detergents, making them safer for water and wildlife.

Carbon nanotubes grow up, out, and in all three dimensions

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers have developed a method to grow carbon nanotubes up, out, and in all three dimensions, providing unprecedented control over their growth. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of Lilliputian devices and complex networks comprised of molecular units.

Anti-inflammatory drug fails to prevent a hereditary colon cancer

Researchers found no statistical difference between sulindac and placebo groups in preventing polyp development or colon cancer, contradicting previous evidence. Sulindac may be ineffective at preventing polyps in newly diagnosed FAP patients, suggesting a need for alternative treatments.

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.

Rare fossilized tube feet suggest functional shift through time

Scientists have discovered a rare fossil of a brittle star with preserved fleshy tube feet, providing evidence of an ecological shift through time. The findings challenge traditional understanding of soft tissue preservation and offer new insights into the evolutionary history of starfishes.

Low-voltage MEMS switch developed for high-speed electronics

A new low-voltage microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch has been developed for integration with existing technologies in high-speed electronics. The switch boasts a tiny metal pad that can move up or down in under 25 microseconds, providing a very low insertion loss of less than 0.1 dB.

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.

Sandstone formation study may help petroleum industry

Researchers studied sandstone formation in Pennsylvanian time period to understand climate, environment, and grain influences on diagenesis. They found quartz cement played a significant role in storing silica-rich fluids, potentially leading to discoveries of oil, gas, or water.

Antioxidant vitamins may help transplant patients

A new study suggests that taking supplements of both vitamins C and E can significantly reduce coronary arteriosclerosis in heart transplant patients. After one year, the group receiving antioxidants showed little to no thickening and narrowing of their coronary arteries, while those receiving a placebo experienced significant changes.

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.

More patients would refuse treatment if the outcome were impaired quality of life

Researchers found that when treatment outcomes were impaired quality of life, such as severe functional or cognitive impairment, a significant number of patients (74.4% and 88.8%) lost their willingness to receive treatment. In contrast, the impact on preferences was more nuanced with mortality, where only when the likelihood increased...

NASA pinpoints where rain comes from and where it goes

The new model traces water vapor from its source in the atmosphere to where it falls back to Earth, providing a clearer picture of how water moves. This allows for more accurate weather forecasts by identifying regional sources of atmospheric moisture.

Novel gene therapy approach in 1st human trials

A novel gene therapy approach has been successfully tested on a 33-year-old cystic fibrosis patient, using a patented DNA compaction technology. The treatment aims to deliver healthy genes into cells to produce normal proteins needed by patients with the disease.

Engineers make strong, environmentally friendly plastic foams

Researchers at Ohio State University developed a dense plastic foam material reinforced with tiny clay particles, increasing its density and strength. The new technology aims to replace solid plastics in structural applications, making products lighter while maintaining their appearance.

Chemical messenger controls bone growth in embryos, study finds

Researchers have discovered a chemical messenger called fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF 18) that regulates bone development in growing embryos. FGF 18 appears to coordinate both the lengthening and hardening of bones, which may lead to new understanding of diseases such as achondroplasia and osteoporosis.

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.

Leptin linked to obesity and blood clots

Scientists at Michigan Medicine have discovered that leptin is linked to blood clot formation, particularly in obese individuals. Knowing how to block this interaction could help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Other highlights in the April 3 issue of JNCI

Researchers have identified new markers for prostate and colon cancers, as well as a potential tumor suppressor gene. TIG1 was found to be expressed in normal prostate tissue but not malignant tumors, suggesting it may play a role in cancer progression.

Japanese government agency awards Nakamura multi-million dollar grant

The University of California, Santa Barbara's Nakamura is awarded a multi-million dollar ERATO grant to develop gallium nitride bulk crystals, crucial for commercial use in lasers and transistors. The research aims to explore inhomogeneity in nitride crystals and enable the tuning of energy levels.

High Hep C levels found among young low-income women

A UCSF study found high levels of HCV infection among young low-income women in San Francisco, with injection drug use and HSV-2 co-infection contributing to transmission. The study also highlights the need for public health efforts beyond needle exchange programs to address non-needle drug use and sexually transmitted diseases.

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.

U-M scientists find new genetic marker for prostate cancer

Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a gene, AMACR, which triggers production of a specific enzyme involved in fat metabolism. The protein is detected in over 95% of localized prostate cancer cells and shows high sensitivity and selectivity ratings for diagnostic purposes.

Cellular link between sleep apnea and atherosclerosis found

A study led by Dr. Lena Lavie found that sleep apnea patients have increased adhesion molecules and free radicals on their white blood cells, which contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Effective treatment with CPAP may not reverse this process, highlighting the need for further research.

Gene alteration spurs growth of colon cancer

Researchers identified a novel gene alteration that contributes to colon cancer growth, suggesting a new target for diagnosis and treatment. The discovery also hints at the possibility of reversing methylation-based tumor progression, potentially leading to a non-invasive diagnostic test.

Genetic variants put some patients at risk for particular drug reactions

A study by Dr. David Veenstra at the University of Washington identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of severe bleeding incidents in patients taking warfarin. Patients with these variants required longer time to achieve stable dosing, suggesting potential for dose adjustment and closer monitoring.

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.

Study links gene to success of a treatment for high blood pressure

A genetic variant in the adducin gene has been found to be associated with a significant reduction in heart attack and stroke risk when patients take low-dose diuretics. The study found that individuals with this variant were twice as likely to avoid cardiovascular events when treated with diuretics.

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.

The Lancet Oncology and The Lancet Infectious Diseases

A recent report highlights nuclear fallout in the US from Cold War testing, which increases cancer incidence and affects global populations. The editorial also critiques South Africa's delay in providing antiretroviral treatment to pregnant women with HIV.

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, April 2, 2002

A study of 643 women found that C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk in people with no signs of heart disease. Regular exercise has been shown to decrease blood pressure in all groups of people, regardless of their weight or ethnicity.

Progress in the genetics of autism

Studies reveal connections between the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 and autism, as well as a potential link between the glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6) gene and the syndrome. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the genetic underpinnings of autism.

New method used to transfer genes into mouse

University of Minnesota researchers successfully genetically modify a mouse by injecting a transposon containing the gene for yellow coat color, utilizing the Sleeping Beauty transposase enzyme. This breakthrough technology has far-reaching implications for treating diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders, including hemophilia an...