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Science News for January 10, 2002


The SMART way to fight AIDS

The SMART trial aims to find a balance between aggressive HIV treatment and minimizing adverse side effects. The study will compare two distinct treatment approaches over an average of seven years, providing valuable insights into the optimal use of antiviral therapy.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJan 10, 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.

Astronomers discover gold in ancient star

Scientists have discovered gold in an ancient star located 2,500 light years from Earth, providing significant insights into the formation of elements and the age of the Milky Way galaxy. The discovery was made using the Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Telescope, revealing the presence of other elements including thorium and uranium.

SourceMichigan State University·DateJan 10, 2002

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for January (First Issue)

A study on preterm birth found that premature infants' lungs develop under different conditions after birth, affecting lung function. Leukotriene antagonists improved treatment for moderate to severe asthma by increasing pulmonary function and reducing symptoms. A personalized oral appliance also showed significant improvement in child...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 10, 2002

Canis Majoris has sand and whiskers in its eyes

Researchers using the European Space Agency's Infrared Space Observatory have found that VY Canis Majoris' smoky shroud consists of tiny particles made up of iron whiskers and amorphous silicates. The study provides new insights into the star's massive outflow, which is driven by intense pressure from its light output.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 10, 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.

Fly cells on the move may reveal clues to cancer metastases

Researchers used genetic tricks with fruit flies to identify the key signal allowing stationary cells in the ovary to travel. They found a protein called Unpaired that activates these cells, which may help clarify how human cancer cells invade distant tissues.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell·DateJan 10, 2002

Astronomers determine color of the universe

Researchers used data from thousands of galaxies to assess theories of star formation and stellar population dynamics. The cosmic spectrum shows a predominantly greenish hue due to the large numbers of old red stars and young blue stars in the universe.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJan 10, 2002

There's more to ice ages than main theory explains

Scientists have tracked sea level changes and volumes of glacial ice using fossil corals. The study found that sea levels rose too early to be consistent with Milankovitch's orbital forcing, implying other factors can override glacial cycles.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2002

Over 40,000 lives lost worldwide every year

A new study strengthens evidence that aspirin prevents heart attacks and strokes in patients with high-risk conditions like angina and diabetes. Researchers estimate an extra 40,000 lives could be saved annually if more people with these conditions receive aspirin.

SourceClinical Trial Service Unit, Oxford University·DateJan 10, 2002

Sudan - a war against the people

Child malnutrition rates are 50% in some conflict areas, while vaccine-preventable diseases persist due to the ongoing war. Militia groups regularly direct armed raids against Dinka villages, resulting in deaths and disappearances of family members, particularly children under 5 years old.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2002
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Physicists see once-in-a-trillion event — again!

Researchers confirm rare kaon decay through 6 trillion decays, shedding light on fundamental forces and building blocks of the universe. The discovery is a significant confirmation of earlier findings and paves the way for further study of exotic aspects of the Standard Model.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 10, 2002

Brain protein tied to sleep and feeding also involved in bodily sensations

A brain protein linked to narcolepsy helps regulate bodily sensations and modulate sensory input from the body. Hypocretin-2 was found to inhibit activity of neurons associated with pain and temperature sensation, suggesting a potential mechanism connecting wakefulness and sensory modulation.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateJan 10, 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.

Staff workload risk factor for infant death intensive care

A comprehensive UK study highlights the risk factor of high staff workload on infant mortality in intensive care units. After adjusting for initial clinical risk and illness severity, patient volume and staffing provision did not influence mortality or cerebral-damage outcomes.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2002

Minority patients face barriers to optimum end-of-life care

A review article highlights ethnic differences in access to medical services, particularly end-of-life care, among minority groups. Cultural mistrust and lack of awareness about individual patient preferences also hinder effective care.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 10, 2002

Researchers find gene involved in pain relief

A genetic mechanism involved in pain modulation has been discovered, which could lead to an entirely new approach to pain control. Genetically engineered mice lacking the DREAM gene showed dramatic loss of pain sensitivity compared to those with the gene.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCell·DateJan 10, 2002

Abstaining smokers fare better after surgery

A study found that preoperative smoking intervention significantly reduces postoperative complications in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement. Smoking cessation or reduction leads to fewer wound-related and cardiovascular complications, with a significant decrease in hospital stay duration.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2002
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.

HIV-1-positive women at increased risk of genital cancer

A prospective population study found that HIV-1-positive women are 16 times more likely to develop vulvovaginal or perianal lesions than HIV-1-negative women. The study suggests that HIV-1-positive women should have a thorough inspection of the vulva and perianal region during gynaecological examination.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 10, 2002

Study adds to the understanding of musical pitch perception

A new study reveals that specific subdivisions of the auditory cortex play a crucial role in identifying fine distinctions in pitch. The research found that subtle manipulations in the brain's response to complex tones can significantly impact our perception of musical nuances.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Neurophysiology·DateJan 10, 2002

The influence of disturbance on tropical rain forest biodiversity: End of a controversy in sight

Researchers found that moderately intense disturbances contribute to high tree species diversity in tropical rain forests. The study challenges previous findings, which suggested no effect of disturbance on diversity, and instead supports the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. The presence of heliophilous trees indicates recent canop...

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2002

Scientific bias helping cause mass extinction

The use of biased conservation lists is exacerbating the rate of species extinctions, according to Associate Professor Mark Burgman. The lists focus on large, spectacular species, neglecting lesser-studied groups that are more vulnerable to extinction.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalAustralian Journal of Botany·DateJan 10, 2002
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New research may lead to more effective treatment of asthmatic attacks

Researchers developed a new technique, electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA), to produce monodisperse droplets of defined size for inhalation therapy. EHDA produced corticosteroid aerosols in quantities high enough for patient administration, showing promising results for more effective asthma treatment.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateJan 10, 2002