Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for August 29, 2002


Scientists zero in on Arctic, hemisphere-wide climate swings

Climate researchers have made significant progress in understanding Arctic climate change, revealing a seesaw pattern called the Arctic Oscillation that affects global temperatures. The study highlights the importance of accounting for this phenomenon in climate models to accurately predict future changes.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateAug 29, 2002

MIT team probes arsenic and old lakes

A study by MIT researchers found that nitrate pollution has a mitigating effect on arsenic release in polluted lakes. The discovery sheds light on the complex dynamics of water quality management and has implications for other pollutants, including phosphate and toxic metals.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateAug 29, 2002

Smithies wins top award from Massry Foundation

Smithies' groundbreaking work on gene targeting has led to thousands of mouse models simulating human diseases, enabling rapid advances in diagnosis and treatment. His research using genetically altered mice has also shed light on high blood pressure, a major human problem.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·DateAug 29, 2002
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Transplants in HIV patients should proceed, but drug interactions a concern

Researchers found that transplant outcomes for HIV patients are similar to those without HIV, but managing anti-rejection drugs and HAART therapy poses a challenge due to potential drug interactions. Studies showed that HIV viral loads remain undetectable in most patients after transplantation.

SourceTransplantation Society·JournalTransplantation·DateAug 29, 2002

Study finds diet did not affect PSA levels

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that a healthy diet does not significantly affect Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels over a relatively short period. The researchers believe that longer-term dietary effects on prostate cancer are still unknown.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 29, 2002

Plant compound kills brain tumor cells

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute found that a plant compound called cyclopamine effectively killed cultured mouse medulloblastoma cells and human tumors. The study showed promising results, with all seven tested human medulloblastomas responding dramatically to the treatment.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 29, 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.

Pill-splitting can yield cost savings on common prescription drugs, Stanford researchers find

Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have confirmed that pill-splitting can be a safe and viable cost-saving strategy for certain medications. By splitting higher-strength pills to achieve desired dosages, patients can reduce medication costs by up to 50%. However, the practice must be implemented with careful controls and...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateAug 29, 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.

Researchers develop 'fingerprinting' for biological agents

A new detection method uses gold nanoparticles and DNA probes to quickly identify multiple diseases, surpassing conventional methods in sensitivity, selectivity, and speed. This technique has the potential to be inexpensive and widely available.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateAug 29, 2002

New possibilities for deadly childhood brain cancer

Scientists have discovered a new hedgehog blocker that stops medulloblastoma tumor growth and kills cancer cells in mice and human patients. The study provides hope for the development of new treatments for this deadly childhood brain cancer.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateAug 29, 2002

Rainforest researchers hit pay dirt

Researchers have discovered that indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon improved the soil, rather than degrading it. The ability to reproduce this super-fertile soil could enable intensive agriculture in hot regions, making a significant impact on food production.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalScience·DateAug 29, 2002
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.

New overview adds more evidence for safety of third generation Pill

Recent studies consistently demonstrate the increasing safety of third-generation oral contraceptives, particularly in reducing heart attack risks. The aggregated findings of seven studies involving nearly 6,500 women suggest that all current oral contraceptives are safe when used according to their regulatory labels.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateAug 29, 2002

OSU faculty design drug education web program for NCAA

The 'Choices in Sports' website provides a comprehensive resource for student-athletes, coaches, trainers, and crew chiefs on substance abuse prevention. The site offers information on banned substances, psychology-based assessment tools, and strategies for promoting long-term success.

SourceOregon State University·DateAug 29, 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.