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Science News for June 17, 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.

New insight into origin of superconductivity in magnesium diboride

Researchers used two techniques to examine the electronic structure of magnesium diboride, revealing interactions between electron holes that contribute to its superconductivity. The findings provide new insight into the material's properties and may lead to improved magnetic resonance imaging and electric power transmission.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 2002

HPET & CT image fusion study reveals limitations for radiotherapy planning

The study found that while the CT and HPET images could be co-registered within 2mm in centrally located tumor inserts, tumor inserts on the peripheral were only 8-10mm due to distortion and resolution loss of HPET images. This made it difficult for a therapist to refine treatment volume using the co-registered HPET/CT images.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 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.

PET/CT may identify 'vulnerable' aortic plaque

A study using PET/CT scans found that 58.8% of patients had at least one positive focus of FDG uptake in the thoracic aortic wall, which may indicate 'vulnerable' plaque. This could lead to future cardiovascular events if left untreated.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 2002

FDG PET predicts outcome in osteosarcomas

The study found that higher initial FDG uptake in tumor was associated with poorer prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. Patients identified as having high FDG uptake could be treated more aggressively to improve outcomes.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 2002

Experience alters how we perceive emotion

A recent study by Seth Pollak found that children who have experienced physical abuse categorize facial expressions differently than non-abused children. Abused children identified more faces as being 'angry' rather than fearful or sad. This suggests that experience can shape how people perceive and understand emotions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2002

Exploring the genetic commonality of alcohol and tobacco abuse

Researchers found that male and female rats selectively bred for high and low sensitivity to alcohol also exhibited differences in their response to nicotine. The study suggests that genetic factors may contribute to the co-occurrence of these two substances in individuals, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateJun 17, 2002

UNC study: Americans getting obese earlier, ethnic groups put on weight at different rates

A new UNC study finds that Hispanic men become obese 2.5 times faster than U.S. men of European ancestry, while black women become obese more than twice as fast as white women. The study also shows that the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults doubled over 40 years, with 61% now classified as obese or overweight.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 17, 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.

SPECT identifies 'silent' cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients

A study found that nearly 56% of diabetic patients have stress-induced ischemic defects revealed by SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging, regardless of age or sex. These defects were more prevalent in asymptomatic patients than those with a history of chest pain.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 2002

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, June 18, 2002

A study found contaminated E. coli bacteria in hot sauces from popular tourist restaurants in Mexico and Texas, increasing the risk of travelers' diarrhea. A simple test can detect peripheral arterial disease by comparing blood pressure in the arm and lower leg.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 17, 2002

Membrane filters offer options for cleaner water

University of Houston researchers are studying novel filtration membranes that can remove up to 90% of natural organic material from water. Their goal is to design better large-scale filtration systems to improve the quality of drinking water supplies, particularly in areas with contaminated or dirty water sources.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateJun 17, 2002

Common bacteria kills elkhorn coral off Florida keys, says UGA research team

A UGA research team has identified a common bacterium as the cause of white pox disease, killing over 98% of elkhorn coral on some reefs near Key West. The disease is highly contagious and spreads rapidly between reefs, highlighting the impact of environmental changes on marine ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2002
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cardiac differences in infants born to HIV-positive mothers may persist

A long-term pediatric AIDS study of over 500 children reveals that cardiac abnormalities may persist in infants born to HIV-positive mothers. The study found that both infected and uninfected children had higher left ventricle mass and lower contractility, but differences dissipated over time.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 17, 2002

New radioimmunotherapy cancer treatment

Researchers have developed a new radioimmunotherapy cancer treatment that has shown significant promise in treating mantle cell lymphoma. The study found that high-dose therapy resulted in complete remission for seven of eight patients, compared to only one of four with low-dose therapy.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 2002

New cellular evolution theory rejects Darwinian assumptions

A new cellular evolution theory challenges Darwinian assumptions by emphasizing horizontal gene transfer as the driving force behind cellular life's evolution. This process allowed for the acquisition of alien cellular components, including genes and proteins, to promote evolutionary change.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2002

Few women regret sterilization procedures

A recent study published by the NIH found that approximately 6-7% of women experience regret after tubal sterilization, with a higher risk for those who have experienced conflict with their husbands. The study also discovered that only 2% of women request reversal of either procedure.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 17, 2002

PET reveals early coronary damage in young smokers

A PET scan study found impaired endothelium-dependent coronary artery vasodilator function in healthy young smokers, indicating increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The study suggests that smoking begins to cause damage much earlier than previously thought, even in those without apparent coronary disease.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 2002
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Novel use of radiotracer reveals extent of mycoardial infarction damage

A new imaging procedure using a radiotracer has revealed the extent of myocardial tissue injury after a heart attack, even in patients who have been successfully revascularized. The study found that 81% of patients showed persistent cellular damage and 90% had perfusion defects.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJun 17, 2002

Studies of spider's silk reveal unusual strength

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara study spider dragline silk's mechanical properties, revealing its elastic and strong nature. The protein unfolds into a modular structure with sacrificial bonds that reform under load, making it a promising material for bulletproof vests, armor, and tethers.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2002
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.

Improving water use in growing corn possible, study shows

Researchers developed a formula to accurately determine water-use efficiency in typical soils, showing that no-till techniques can improve crop yields while reducing runoff and drainage losses. Soils with higher clay content and greater capacity to retain water produce better results, highlighting the importance of soil type management.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateJun 17, 2002