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Science News for May 1, 2002


Depressed brains get better on placebo!

A study found that depressed patients who responded to a placebo treatment showed similar brain changes as those who received an antidepressant, but with additional changes in the brainstem and hippocampus. The researchers suggest that these changes may be necessary for long-term recovery.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 1, 2002

Working in Britain in 2000

A survey of nearly 2,500 employed people in Britain found that employees express declining loyalty to their organisations, working harder and longer. However, a growing proportion of the workforce needs advanced information technology skills, with most occupational groups indicating these skills are essential for their work.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 1, 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.

Study finds a huge child care workforce waiting to be trained

A new study reveals that two-thirds of the nation's 2.3 million child care workers lack college training, highlighting the need for a massive national investment to train millions of caregivers. The study also found that early learning is crucial and requires qualified caregivers for toddlers aged 18-36 months.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateMay 1, 2002

Male/female health differences during life's final season

A study of older brother/sister twin pairs found that men and women had similar numbers of illnesses, with the exception of very life-threatening conditions. Women reported more total health problems and physical symptoms, while men had more cardiovascular conditions.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 1, 2002

Placebo, antidepressant may lift depression via common mechanism

A team of researchers found that both placebo and antidepressant responders showed increased activity in the cortex, accompanied by decreased activity in limbic regions. Patients who responded to fluoxetine also experienced unique changes in lower brain areas thought to confer additional advantage in sustaining the response.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 1, 2002
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.

Vitamin C transporter gene discovery in mice

A study published in Nature Medicine found that mice without a functional vitamin C transporter gene died shortly after birth due to severe health problems. The research suggests that vitamin C plays a crucial role in fetal lung development, which could have implications for premature infants and pregnant women.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 1, 2002

New treatment for spinal disorder proves effective in UCSF study

A UCSF study shows that 80% of patients taking etanercept experience significant relief from ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. The drug reduces spinal inflammation and slows disease progression, offering a new therapeutic option for the chronic inflammatory arthritis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 1, 2002

New language learning linked to early language experience

A landmark study published in Nature reveals that deaf and hearing adults who experienced language in early life perform similarly well in learning a new language later in life. Deaf adults with little language experience show low levels of performance, whereas those with early experience demonstrate high proficiency.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2002
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tungsten photonic lattice changes heat to light

Researchers have developed a tungsten photonic lattice that can convert most of the wasted infrared energy into visible light, increasing the efficiency of incandescent bulbs from 5% to over 60%. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental damage caused by inefficient lighting.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2002

Black raspberries a potentially powerful agent in fight against colon cancer

A recent study found that rats fed a diet rich in black raspberries had 80 percent fewer malignant tumors compared to those without berries. The antioxidants in black raspberries, such as anthocyanins and phenols, were also shown to have a significant impact on reducing tumor size and oxidative damage.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNutrition and Cancer·DateMay 1, 2002

Drug breaks for HIV-infected individuals may put certain immune cells at risk

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that taking drug breaks during HIV treatment can lead to increased infections of CD4 cells, hastening their destruction and disease progression. This can ultimately give rise to full-blown AIDS, highlighting the importance of ongoing antiviral therapy.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2002

Rice physicists observe new 'atom wave' phenomena

Researchers create atomic soliton trains with up to 15 bundles of waves that maintain a constant shape as they propagate without spreading. The techniques developed could lead to extremely precise measurements and new forms of atom lasers.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2002
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New grant supports research to reduce greenhouse gases

The Kansas State University-led consortium aims to develop carbon sequestration strategies for U.S. agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas accumulation. The project will provide tools and information for farmers to implement soil carbon sequestration programs, improving the nation's farmlands and agricultural economy.

SourceKansas State University·DateMay 1, 2002

New hope for treating or avoiding heart failure after cancer drugs

Researchers found that elevated troponin I levels may predict future heart failure in cancer patients, even if the heart appears to be functioning normally. ACE inhibitors have shown promise in restoring cardiac function and preventing cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateMay 1, 2002

HIV selectively suppresses anti-HIV defense cells

Researchers found that HIV preferentially infects HIV-specific CD4+ T cells, which are essential for directing the immune system's response to pathogens. This phenomenon highlights the vulnerability of these cells to viral infection and suggests ways to design a more effective HIV vaccine.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2002

New x-ray resource for examining biomolecular structures

The new NE-CAT resource will provide urgently needed access to synchrotron radiation for probing biomolecular structures. This will lead to a deeper understanding of how proteins function and interact, ultimately informing the design of new therapeutics for human disease.

SourceNIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)·DateMay 1, 2002

A new 'atom wave' phenomenon

Researchers at Rice University have successfully created atomic solitons, a type of 'atom wave' that can propagate without dispersing, in a narrow beam of light. This breakthrough has potential applications in ultra-high speed optical communication networks and extremely precise measurements using atom lasers.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateMay 1, 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.

Study quantifies cost-benefit of family interventions to prevent teen alcohol use

A NIH-funded study found that family-based interventions can save an average of $119,633 in avoided costs for society per case prevented. The Iowa Strengthening Families Program and Preparing for the Drug Free Years intervention programs were effective in reducing adolescent alcohol use.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol·DateMay 1, 2002

MelTec GmbH characterizes protein networks involved in T-cell invasion

Researchers analyzed muscle biopsies from patients with polymyositis and sarcoid myopathy to identify key cell surface receptors involved in T-cell adhesion and migration. The study used MelTec's MELK technology to map protein networks in whole, intact cells, providing new insights into disease mechanisms.

SourceNoonan/Russo Communications·JournalJournal of Theoretical Medicine·DateMay 1, 2002

The Lancet Oncology (TLO) and The Lancet Infectious Diseases (TLID)

Chernobyl exposure linked to increased thyroid cancer in children, while HRT use may increase breast-cancer risk with long-term use. The Lancet Oncology reviews these findings and highlights the need for prospective trials. Increasing age is associated with rising cancer incidence, making geriatric oncology crucial.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMay 1, 2002

Anti-depression drug beats nicotine therapy in helping women quit

A new study found that an anti-depression medication called bupropion (Zyban) is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy in helping women quit smoking. Women who took bupropion were more likely to stay smoke-free compared to those on nicotine replacement, with similar success rates after a full year of treatment.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 1, 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.