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Science News Archive December 2002


Page 2 of 7

Smaller high schools achieve big results

Researchers found that smaller schools with strong teacher-student relationships, personalized curricula, and graduation requirements led to improved attendance, grades, and college readiness. The Coalition Campus Schools Project demonstrated potential in helping youth achieve academically.

Orthodontic and regenerative therapy work together

A 49-year-old patient with chronic periodontitis was treated with a combination of orthodontic and regenerative therapy to address a furcation defect. The treatment proved successful after nine months, demonstrating the potential for regenerative periodontal tissues to adapt to orthodontic movement.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Do Asian American faculty face a glass ceiling in higher education?

A study by Professor Sharon M. Lee found that Asian American faculty have fewer paths to increase earnings and experience smaller benefits from certain characteristics compared to White faculty. The research highlights the need for policymaking to address issues of racial and ethnic diversity in higher education.

Rain will take greater toll on reindeer, climate change model shows

Rain-on-snow events are projected to affect reindeer herds in northern regions, causing food shortages and potentially devastating impacts. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and duration of these events, with a 40% increase in land area affected by 2080-89.

Stem cells put to the test in UNC studies

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine successfully transdifferentiated rat stem cells into functional new tissue, including platelets, red blood cells, and heart muscle cells. This breakthrough finding may provide clues to the therapeutic potential of human adult stem cells for tissue repair.

Hospital length of stay may not affect a newborn's health

The Harvard Medical School study found that hospital length of stay does not significantly impact newborn health, contradicting popular assumptions. The study also showed that introducing a state law guaranteeing minimum postpartum stays actually led to less frequent follow-up care for newborns.

PNNL expands blood serum protein library

Researchers at PNNL have identified nearly twice as many proteins in human blood serum as previously known, including low-abundance proteins that play crucial roles in cell signaling. The study provides a significant advance in understanding the proteome of blood serum and its potential applications in disease diagnosis.

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.

Discovery of giant X-ray disk sheds light on elliptical galaxies

Researchers at Ohio University have discovered a massive X-ray disk in an elliptical galaxy, revealing complex dynamics and challenging previous assumptions about galaxy formation. The giant disk is 90,000 light years wide and spinning through the galaxy, suggesting that elliptical galaxies may not be as simple as previously thought.

Preemies’ temperaments shift in first year of life

Preterm infants exhibit intense moods, withdrawal to new stimuli, and irregular bodily functions at 6 weeks, but these challenges resolve by six months and 12 months as they adapt to full-term infant-like behavior, according to a study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Computers in churches, laundromats may bridge digital divide

A study of two Georgia cities reveals that basic IT literacy has only marginal success in helping underserved groups access economic opportunities. Most disadvantaged social groups face difficulties sustaining their use of technology beyond initial classroom training, leading to frustration and limited benefits.

An unlikely new weapon against a deadly bacteria in oysters: A virus

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a novel approach to curing mice of Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacteria that causes flu-like symptoms and can be fatal. The treatment involves using a virus to attack the bacterial source, showing promise as an alternative to antibiotics for treating this disease.

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.

Researchers reveal new secrets of the brain

A study by Karel Svoboda's team found that new connections form and dissolve in the adult brain as mice take in sensory information. The total number of synapses stayed relatively constant, but individual connections often changed, with some sticking around for only a few days.

Other highlights of the December 18 JNCI

Researchers investigated the association between alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk, finding no statistically significant link. The Journal of National Cancer Institute also published studies on body surface area-based dosing for anticancer drugs and carbohydrate binding protein's potential to inhibit tumor growth.

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.

PPPL researchers Yamada and Ji awarded by American Physical Society

Researchers Masaaki Yamada and Hantao Ji at PPPL have received an award from the American Physical Society for their groundbreaking research on magnetic reconnection. Their work has elucidated a fundamental problem in plasmas, relevant to fusion energy and astrophysical phenomena.

The ritual qualities of texting

A team of researchers found that young people use texting to widen their social networks and cope with demands from friends and parents. The report also highlights the 'gift-giving' properties of text messaging and its impact on industry plans for future mobile features.

Clinicians’ personal theories influence diagnoses of mental disorders

A study found that clinicians' personal theories significantly impact diagnoses of mental disorders, with central symptoms leading to more accurate diagnoses. The researchers suggest that expert theorizing can be idiosyncratic and lead to conflicting diagnoses due to a lack of understanding of the underlying causes of mental disorders.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Less-expensive diuretics found superior in treatment of hypertension

The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) revealed that diuretic chlorthalidone is more effective in controlling hypertension than other drugs. The study, involving over 33,000 participants, showed that patients require multiple medications to manage blood pressure effectively.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Body language, conversation and environment key to communication

A new perspective on communication emphasizes the need to consider all aspects, including nonverbal cues, spoken words, and environmental factors. Successful turn-taking communication is crucial, and physical touch requires verbal clarification. Video analysis can help improve communication skills.

Cancer specialists in disagreement about purpose of clinical trials

A survey of 1,120 cancer physicians reveals substantial differences in views about the purpose of clinical trials. Pediatric oncologists are more likely to enroll patients in trials for state-of-the-art treatment, while other specialties prioritize scientific advancement and future patient care.

Increased bone mass in a calcitonin knockout mouse full of surprises

Researchers discovered that calcitonin knockout mice have greater bone mass and increased bone formation, suggesting a novel function for the calcitonin gene product. This finding has implications for preventing bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency, potentially leading to new treatments for post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Chicken pox vaccine OK for children with kidney disease

A new study has found that chicken pox vaccine is safe and effective for children with chronic kidney disease. The study shows that vaccination can prevent severe complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation in these patients.

Older people & lifelong learning

Research highlights the importance of lifelong learning for older adults, with formal classes often being supplemented by informal activities. Informal learners reported engaging in daily routines like reading and watching documentaries as an integral part of their lives.

JCI table of contents, December 15, 2002

Research reveals that mice without the calcitonin gene exhibit greater bone mass and formation, suggesting a novel function for this hormone. This discovery opens up new avenues for preventing bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency.

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.

Gene responsible for anemia (type CDA-1) discovered

Researchers discovered a gene, CDAN1, associated with CDA-1, a rare form of anemia. The study, involving 45 Bedouin patients, suggests the gene's protein plays a crucial role in blood cell maturation and may lead to new treatments.

Novel gene therapy approach shows promise

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have developed a novel gene therapy approach that repairs messenger RNA, which could lead to effective treatments for inherited diseases. The method uses ribozymes to correct defective genes and has shown promising results in animal models.

Researchers explain how the brain integrates head position and acoustics

Researchers discovered that fusiform cells in the cochlear nucleus integrate acoustic information with head and ear position information to pinpoint sound sources. The study found that synapses transmitting acoustic information are stable, while those carrying head and ear position information exhibit plasticity.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Sandia 'be there now' hardware enhances long-distance collaborations

The Sandia hardware allows large data sets to be viewed and manipulated interactively without needing to send copies to separate locations. The technology, which leverages advances in 3D commercial rendering, enables users to experience sitting at a supercomputer from thousands of miles away.

Light shed on vision and hearing disorders

Researchers have identified three genes, Myosin VIIa, Harmonin, and Cadherin 23, that cooperate to shape the sensory hair cell bundle. These findings provide new insights into Usher syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting vision and hearing.

Purdue research hints that birds could spread Ebola virus

Researchers found a biochemical structure similarity between the Ebola virus outer protein shell and retroviruses carried by birds, suggesting possible bird transmission. This discovery raises health concerns for humans and encourages officials to be vigilant.

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.

Dancing molecules on the make

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research successfully observed the formation and dynamics of coordination compounds on a copper surface. They directly imaged single molecules and monitored their movements, revealing how rotating molecules act as dynamic atom traps for individual Cu atoms.

Patients' lives at risk from needless lung scans

A recent study found that injecting contrast material before a CT scan can increase lung tissue volume in critically ill patients with ALI. This increase is attributed to fluid accumulation in the lungs, making breathing harder for these patients. The authors recommend avoiding this procedure in critically ill patients.

Serotonergic dysfunction doesn’t cause suicide

Researchers found no significant differences in TPH protein level or 5HT2A receptor density between suicide victims and controls. The A218C polymorphism of the TPH gene was shown to alter TPH protein level, suggesting its role in serotonergic function rather than biological suicidality.

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.

Drinks of the father

Researchers found that a father's maximum number of drinks consumed in 24 hours is associated with disruptive behavior disorders, early substance-use initiation, and early substance-related disorders in his children. The study suggests that this 'phenotype' could supplement diagnostic categories for alcohol dependence.

Antarctic ice seals life's fate

Researchers find liquid lake beneath 62 feet of ice, containing seven times the saltiness of normal seawater. The isolated brine is believed to harbor life due to its chemical composition, with microbes returning to life after gradual melting.

Study suggests inflammatory protein is strongly associated with heart disease

A new study suggests that high levels of inflammatory protein CRP are strongly associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease. The research found that patients taking beta blockers and statins had less inflammation, indicating that treating inflammation may play a crucial role in preventing heart disease.

Designing a robot that can sense human emotion

Researchers at Vanderbilt University are developing a robot that can detect and respond to human emotions. They use physiological signals such as heart rate, skin conductance, and facial muscle activity to analyze a person's psychological state. The robot is programmed to recognize specific patterns and provide supportive responses.

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.

Biodegradable gelatin particles show promise for delivering therapeutic genes

Researchers at Ohio State University successfully tested micro-sized gelatin particles that may deliver therapeutic genes to the glomerulus in the kidneys. The biodegradable particles dissolved quickly enough to pass through the glomerulus within 10 hours, suggesting they could be useful in transferring genes to tissues.

Prenatal exposure to alcohol may cause temporal processing deficits

Researchers examined two groups of children ages five to 10 years with prenatal alcohol exposure and found impaired ability to perceive and utilize temporal information. Alcohol-exposed children demonstrated slower and less efficient responses, particularly those with lower IQs.

Common cancer gene controls blood vessel growth

Researchers discovered that the Id1 gene regulates angiogenesis in melanoma, breast, head and neck, brain, cervical, prostate, pancreatic, and testicular cancers by reducing thrombospondin-1 production. This reduction leads to increased tumor blood vessel formation.

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.

Purdue works to transform Ebola virus from killer to healer

Researchers at Purdue University have simplified the outer shell of the Ebola virus, making it easier to produce in a lab and delivering genes to defective cells. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for diseases like cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.