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Science News for January 24, 2002


Jaguar conservation spotty

A recent study assesses the jaguar's long-term survival prospects and identifies priority areas for conservation. The researchers found that the big cats are likely to survive in 70% of their current range, with the Amazon Basin being a key region for protection.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJan 24, 2002

Preventing overload in the brain

The study found that interneurons inhibit pyramidal cells in two ways, allowing the brain to remain alert without becoming overloaded. This mechanism is crucial in preventing epilepsy, where the brain becomes disorganized and overwhelmed.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJan 24, 2002
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Microchip gives blind chance of sight

Researchers from the Office of Naval Research have developed a retinal microchip to restore vision in the blind. The chip electronically stimulates healthy retina cells, transmitting signals to the brain to recognize faces and read large text.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateJan 24, 2002

Moderate alcohol consumption could reduce risk of dementia

A Dutch study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of dementia among older individuals. The research found a significant association between light-to-moderate alcohol intake and a lower risk of developing dementia, as well as vascular dementia.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 24, 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.

Protein may be target for new cancer drugs

Researchers found that the Hrs protein regulates cell proliferation by tagging receptors for degradation through a process called endocytosis. This finding could lead to new cancer treatments targeting the Hrs protein.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJan 24, 2002

Navy medics going digital

NavMedWatch enables healthcare professionals to track medical assets, anticipate future needs, and provide alerts for transportation to other facilities. The next version will include a history function to track individual patient care throughout the Naval medical system.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateJan 24, 2002

Scientists to manipulate the 'super-size boson'

Researchers Eric Cornell, Carl Wieman, and Wolfgang Ketterle create a super-size boson by manipulating Bose-Einstein Condensates. They achieved this feat using optical and magnetic trapping techniques, demonstrating the wave nature of matter.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateJan 24, 2002
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.

Chemical industry helped by small invisible tube

Researchers from Utrecht have discovered that carbon nanofibres can effectively replace active carbon as a carrier for catalysts, enhancing the efficiency of hydrogenation reactions. The new material allows for the reuse of catalysts and has shown promise in the industrial-scale production of compounds like cinnamon alcohol.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJan 24, 2002

Race could influence outcome after liver transplantation

A recent study found that liver transplant patients from African American and Asian backgrounds experience lower two-year and five-year survival rates compared to their white American and Hispanic counterparts. The study suggests a need for further research into the reasons behind these disparities in patient outcomes.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 24, 2002

Outside-in conservation: What's around an area

Research shows that ant diversity near forest fragments is higher in shade than sun coffee farms, and salamander abundance is higher in disturbed streams confluent with undisturbed ones. Conservation efforts may focus on making surrounding areas more conservation-friendly rather than connecting fragments.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJan 24, 2002
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.

Darwin and the world’s first ecological experiment

Researchers have discovered an experiment conducted by George Sinclair, head gardener to the Duke of Bedford, in a garden at Woburn Abbey in South East England. The study investigated the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, which is currently a hot topic in ecology. The findings push back the link between commu...

SourceImperial College London·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2002

Fragmentation can make seedlings wimpy

Research in tropical dry forests reveals that fragmentation decreases seedling quality, with reduced germination rates and smaller leaves. Despite the negative effects, isolated trees can still serve as genetic stepping stones for pollinating moths and gene flow between populations.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJan 24, 2002

Race influences outcome of liver transplants, according to Hopkins study

A Hopkins-led study found that African Americans and Asians have poorer graft rejection and survival rates after liver transplantation compared to white Americans and Hispanics. The study's lead author suggests that more research is needed to determine the causes of these disparities, with preliminary data suggesting socioeconomic fact...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 24, 2002

What remains to be discovered in Central American forests

A new report identifies knowledge gaps in Central American flora, particularly among fungi and mosses. The Mesoamerican and Caribbean Herbarium Network, which holds over one million plant specimens, is a key resource for future discovery.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·DateJan 24, 2002
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.

Research shows way to boost morphine's pain-killing benefits

UCSF scientists have demonstrated in animals how morphine's potent painkilling powers can be sustained without increasing dosages. By pairing morphine with an opioid that facilitates endocytosis, they showed that the natural cellular process can arrest the pattern of tolerance to morphine.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateJan 24, 2002

High survival rate for stem cell transplants to treat (SCID)

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that stem cell transplants performed within the first 28 days of life have a 95 percent success rate in treating newborn babies with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The early transplants also stimulate a more robust and effective immune system, with reduced stresses on the th...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalBlood·DateJan 24, 2002

Climate change following collapse of the Maya empire

A team of paleoecologists from Amsterdam used pollen grains to accurately recreate the local climate in Southern Mexico and Northern Guatemala around 1000 AD. The study suggests that the collapse of the well-organised Maya empire led to widespread destruction of wildlife and agricultural areas, resulting in a drier climate.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJan 24, 2002

Gene for neat repair of DNA discovered

Scientists have identified a key gene, Rad54, involved in neat DNA repair, preventing mutations and potentially improving cancer treatment. The study found that patients with an inactive Rad54 gene are more susceptible to radiotherapy side effects, leading to the idea of milder treatments.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJan 24, 2002

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for January (second issue)

A study of 63 young persons found that children who started wheezing between ages 2 to 5 were highly likely to continue wheezing in adulthood. Researchers also developed a brief questionnaire to predict future asthma-related healthcare utilization. Additionally, sleep disordered breathing was linked to obesity and craniofacial abnormal...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 24, 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.

Surf against surface: tortured water ripples at contact

Scientists have successfully pinned down water at a hydrophobic surface, revealing capillary waves that ripple against the surface. This finding may aid in understanding structure of water films near patchy hydrophilic-hydrophobic surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2002

Condoms and education dramatically reduce HIV spread in Thailand

A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that condom use and education can dramatically reduce the transmission of HIV in Thailand. The study also highlights the increasing role of injection drug use in spreading the disease, particularly among young men.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateJan 24, 2002
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Adsorption on clay accounts for organic-rich rocks

The study found a clear relationship between organic carbon and smectite clay minerals, suggesting that dissolved organic molecules are drawn into the crystal lattice where they are protected from oxidation. This process, known as adsorption, plays a crucial role in maintaining habitable conditions in the biosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2002

US ecology dramatically altered by fertilizers and acid rain

A NASA-funded study reveals that ancient South American forests hold the key to understanding US ecosystems before the industrial revolution. The study finds complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems, contradicting previous beliefs about inorganic nitrogen.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateJan 24, 2002

Protecting waterbirds from watercraft

Research by James Rodgers and Stephen Schwikert found that flush distances for motorboats were greater than those for personal watercraft (PWC), allowing for more effective protection of waterbirds. The study recommends customized buffer zones to protect vulnerable species, such as great white herons.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJan 24, 2002
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.

Mountain climbers vulnerable to subclinical lung disorder

A study of 262 climbers found that three out of four healthy, recreational climbers have mild subclinical HAPE shortly after a modest climb. This suggests a significant risk of the disorder among climbers, highlighting the need for better markers and methods to identify individuals at risk.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 24, 2002