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Science News Archive August 2002


Page 4 of 8

Ginkgo fails important memory test, according to study in JAMA

A recent study published in JAMA found that ginkgo biloba provides no measurable benefit in memory, attention, or concentration in healthy older adults. The study, conducted by researchers at Williams College, tested the effects of ginkgo on memory and cognitive function in 230 volunteers over 60.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Satellites to profile weather, improve forecasts through GPS

The COSMIC satellite network will collect a global, 3-D data set, improving analyses of both weather and climate change. The satellites will probe the atmosphere using radio occultation to track temperature in the upper atmosphere and measure high-altitude electron density.

Brain damage in infants not always tied to delivery

A study of nearly 22,000 infants found that only one case of seizures was linked to a low Apgar score and high umbilical cord acid levels. Seizures were common in babies born weighing less than 3.3 pounds, affecting 6% of those cases.

Researchers discover how herpes tricks the immune system

Scientists found that herpes virus uses regulators of complement activation (RCA) to evade the immune system. The study reveals that complement plays a crucial role in controlling persistent and latent infection, contradicting previous assumptions.

Researchers aim to control treatment-resistant head lice

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts have developed a way to grow colonies of mutated head lice in a laboratory setting. This allows them to examine the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of resistance and monitor the frequency of mutations that cause resistance.

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.

Herbal dietary supplement alters metabolism of chemotherapy drug

A study found that St. John's wort significantly lowers blood levels of irinotecan's active metabolite SN-38 by 42%, decreasing detoxification and reducing overall antitumor activity. Patients receiving chemotherapeutic treatments with St. John's wort may need to increase drug dosage.

Study finds childhood health is directly related to social class

A new study published in Ambulatory Pediatrics found a strong correlation between social class and childhood health, with lower-income children experiencing greater symptoms of physical and mental illness. In contrast, higher-income children exhibited better risk-avoidance behaviors.

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.

LECs may be future of flat panel color displays

Scientists at Penn State have developed a voltage-controlled, two-color bipolar LEC that can produce yellow and red light, paving the way for efficient and stable full-color displays. The technology has high luminance intensity, efficiency, fast response time, and long-term stability, making it suitable for flat-panel applications.

Researchers pinpoint pain responses in newborns

Newborn infants exhibit increased pain response after repeated painful procedures, learning to anticipate pain. The study supports efforts to decrease pain in infants undergoing medical procedures.

Athletes' wives cope with stress through 'control work'

The study found that athletes' wives develop 'control work' as a coping mechanism, focusing on fulfilling their husbands' emotional needs, managing the family, or demonstrating domestic mastery. This helps them feel loved, needed, or validated.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Researchers link red wine to 'good cholesterol'

A new study found that moderate red wine consumption is associated with higher levels of HDL cholesterol in regular drinkers. The researchers discovered that the fatty acid composition of these HDL particles may play a beneficial role in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Other highlights in the August 21 issue of JNCI

The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma declined sharply in the mid-1990s, mainly due to AIDS treatment improvements. However, non-AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence has continued to rise.

'Jolly fat' hypothesis doesn’t carry weight

Researchers found no association between obesity and better mental health, contradicting the 'jolly fat' hypothesis. The study examined eight indicators of mental health in 1,739 participants over a decade, suggesting further research on nutrition's impact on mental state.

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.

Promising multi-strain HIV vaccine candidate emerges

A new HIV vaccine candidate has shown promising results, targeting a shared characteristic of all HIV strains and generating antibodies that neutralize a wide range of isolates. The complex could serve as a useful model for HIV vaccine development, bringing researchers closer to their goal of developing an effective vaccine.

Annals of Internal Medicine Aug. 20 tip sheet

A new study found that flu vaccines can benefit healthy working adults aged 18-50 by avoiding lost work time and treatment costs. Hormone replacement therapy does not prevent or reduce the rate of developing heart disease, contrary to earlier studies.

New AIDS drug discoveries to battle drug-resistant HIV strains

Two new drugs, Dapivirine and R165335, have shown great promise in Phase I and II clinical trials against drug-resistant HIV strains. These compounds are derived from the dianilinopyrimidine family and have been tested as a viable candidate for treating AIDS in developing countries.

Ending at square 1: Does order of good & bad events matter to consumers?

Researchers found that consumers' psychological state changes even if their economic state doesn't, with the magnitude of this 'order effect' increasing over time. The study has practical implications for marketers and regulators, who can influence consumer perceptions by altering the sequence of information presentation.

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.

Something to write home about: Journaling can help after trauma

A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that journaling about both thoughts and emotions after a traumatic event can lead to increased awareness of benefits, such as improved relationships and personal strength. In contrast, focusing solely on emotional aspects may not produce similar benefits.

Pediatric autopsies

A new study analyzing over 7,000 pediatric autopsies found that nearly 60 specimens suggested diagnoses of metabolic disorders as the underlying cause of infant and child deaths. The most commonly detected disorders were medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and glutaric acidemia type I and II deficiencies.

New Geocentrifuge Research Laboratory coming online

The new Geocentrifuge Research Laboratory enables researchers to study complex processes at high speeds, accelerating environmental cleanup and geotechnical engineering advancements. Researchers will explore topics such as contaminant transport mechanisms and fluid flow in soil and rock.

$1.2 million grant backs study of environmental stress, cancer origins

Researchers at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute are studying cellular responses to environmental stress to better understand how it contributes to cancer development. The team aims to characterize networks of systems that operate during exposure to DNA-damaging events, with a focus on DNA repair and damage tolerance pathways.

High levels of C-reactive protein indicate early heart disease

A study of 321 participants found that higher CRP levels are associated with increased coronary calcium and atherosclerosis, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors. The findings suggest a potential new link between inflammation and heart disease.

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.

Cancer revealed: New $10M grant establishes cancer imaging center

The Center for Molecular Imaging will combine cutting-edge imaging technologies with new knowledge about genes and proteins to develop ways of seeing cancer as it begins, grows, and is killed. The laboratory discoveries made by its scientists could accelerate everything from diagnosis to the development of future medications.

Obstacles fall to feasibility of hybrid fuel cell vehicle

Researchers at Penn State have developed a system to remove hydrogen odorant using adsorbers, enabling the use of pure hydrogen in fuel cells. The system also addresses hydrogen storage concerns by utilizing a metal hydride system based on magnesium, which is stable up to 554 degrees Fahrenheit.

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.

Food irradiation is focus of two-day symposium, Aug. 19-20

A two-day symposium on food irradiation will examine the effects on meat flavor, antioxidant levels in fruit juices, and packaging material migration into food products. Researchers will also investigate irradiation's impact on astronaut meals and items sent through the mail.

Honey fights cholesterol as well as some fruits and vegetables

A study by Nicki Engeseth found that honey improves antioxidant levels in human blood, suggesting a mild protective effect against heart disease. The research also showed that darker honeys have higher antioxidant levels, which may inhibit the growth of oral pathogenic bacteria.

Would 'race' disappear if the United States officially stopped measuring it?

The American Sociological Association asserts that measuring race is essential for understanding its role in shaping social definitions, power relationships, and institutional practices. Despite biological research questioning its utility, sociologists argue that racial categories persist and influence daily life.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

'Why test?'—study assesses student intelligence testing

A recent study examines racial divisions in assessment test scores and student outcomes, revealing that current practices are unfair to both black and white students. Using high-school class rank instead of test score yields fairer race and gender outcomes when assessing students for college admissions.

New broccoli compound appears promising against breast cancer

A synthetic compound called oxomate has been developed to target breast cancer, with promising results in animal tests and potential for a once-a-day pill or vitamin component. If confirmed, oxomate could offer an alternative to current treatments and provide benefits to those at high risk of cancer

ASA president discusses how to do research on social inequalities

The American Sociological Association's President emphasizes the need to study mechanisms driving social inequalities in the workplace. Researchers should focus on organizational and societal-level factors, such as design of work and promotions, to understand how ascriptive characteristics affect inequality.

Gene trigger for pancreas formation identified

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered a gene, PTF1p48, that plays a crucial role in the development of the pancreas. The study found that p48 is required for the formation of both exocrine and endocrine cells, which could lead to the production of insulin-secreting cells from embryonic or other stem cells.

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.

Easier monitoring of diabetes is focus of symposium, Aug. 18

Researchers are developing innovative devices that promise to simplify blood glucose monitoring, reducing the risk of complications such as blindness and kidney disease. A symposium will showcase advancements in noninvasive and minimally invasive blood glucose monitoring, including a 'smart tattoo' that glows to reveal glucose levels.

Workfare adults, working poor face economic roulette

The study found that many low-income single parents experience close to full-time jobs with brief periods of lay-off or lower hours. They often struggle to make ends meet due to limited benefits from their employers, leading to a weaker safety net for children.

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.

When moms smoke, certain kids are more vulnerable

Children with a common genetic variant exposed to maternal cigarette smoke in utero are more likely to experience respiratory problems, including asthma and wheezing. Researchers identified a link between the GSTM1 null genotype and increased risk of respiratory symptoms.

Alcohol use, thrill-seeking prove bad mix for HIV-positive men

A study by Seth C. Kalichman found that HIV-positive men who were sensation seekers were more likely to have unprotected sex, regardless of alcohol use. Alcohol also predicted unsafe sex, independent of sensation seeking. The study suggests cognitive approaches can help improve risk reduction interventions for HIV-positive men.

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.

Discovery could bring widespread uses for 'nanocrystals'

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a process to produce metal nanocrystals in large quantities at low cost, containing valuable nanocrystals in common machining processes. The discovery could lead to widespread uses of nanocrystals in various industries, including automotive and electronics.