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Science News for May 31, 2002


Genetic fingerprint of lung cancer predicts treatment outcome

Researchers discovered unique genetic differences between lung cancer patients that correlated with cancer relapse rates. A 22-gene cluster was identified as a key predictor of treatment outcome, providing unprecedented insight into individual lung tumors.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCancer Research·DateMay 31, 2002

Penn State engineers boost hydrogen production from fermentation

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to increase hydrogen production from fermentation by 43%, utilizing industrial wastewater as feedstock. This approach can potentially make hydrogen a cheaper fuel alternative to gasoline, while also reducing costs for wastewater treatment plants.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 31, 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.

MIT's biorubber ushers in new possibilities in tissue engineering

Researchers at MIT have created a biodegradable polymer called biorubber that can stretch and snap back into shape, mimicking the elasticity of human organs. This breakthrough material has potential applications in tissue engineering, including heart tissue, blood vessels, and whole organs for transplantation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMay 31, 2002

Fit seniors better able to react when quick thinking needed, study says

Researchers at University of Illinois found that physically active older adults perform better in executive control tasks, which require more conscious effort. The study suggests increased physical activity is beneficial for older adults, improving their cognitive functioning and reaction time.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateMay 31, 2002

Rainforest wildlife surprisingly sensitive to landscape changes

A long-term study found that habitat fragmentation has a far-reaching impact on rainforests, increasing local extinction rates and altering species richness. To maintain diversity and dynamics, Amazonian nature reserves will need to be very large to withstand human disturbances.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalConservation Biology·DateMay 31, 2002

Making embryos male

Researchers identify DHH as key player in fetal Leydig cell differentiation, enabling testosterone production. The discovery provides insights into human reproductive disorders resulting from faulty sex determination pathways.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 31, 2002

NASA sensors find pollution hiding in the SHADOZ

NASA's SHADOZ project has solved a decade-old mystery about the source of Atlantic ozone, revealing a 'wave-one pattern' that is predominantly in the troposphere. The data also show that the tropical tropopause is not a sharp boundary but a 2-mile thick transition layer.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 31, 2002
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Mouse model of alopecia

Researchers created genetically engineered mice lacking keratin 17, a structural protein found in hair follicles, to investigate its role in hair growth. The results show that K17 knockout mice display temporary baldness due to hair fragility and premature cell death, but eventually regrow fur at around three weeks old.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 31, 2002

UF researchers discover blood stem cells

Researchers have discovered that adult blood stem cells can function to make blood vessels, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for circulatory diseases. The discovery was made using genetically engineered mice with green glowing stem cells, which were able to form new capillary beds in the eyes.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 31, 2002

Study finds half of rape survivors do not receive recommended medical treatment

A recent study found that 42% of sexual assault survivors did not receive testing for sexually transmitted diseases or prophylactic medications. The study also showed that survivors over 18 were more likely to be screened, but only 34% received medication recommended by the CDC.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMay 31, 2002

Gene found that controls stomatal cell growth in plants

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a gene that controls the growth of stomatal cells in plants, which could lead to enhanced crop plant development. The TMM gene is involved in the formation and distribution of stomatal cells on leaf surfaces, and its discovery may provide new insights into stem cell biology.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience·DateMay 31, 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.

Inert gas may help stop damaged nerve cells from dying

Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that xenon can block the effects of a glutamate receptor implicated in nerve cell death, potentially preventing damage. The findings have led to clinical trials and the formation of a spin-out company to develop treatments for neurological injuries.

SourceImperial College London·JournalAnesthesiology·DateMay 31, 2002

U-M study finds new target in war against graft-versus-host disease

Researchers at U-M have discovered that inflammatory cytokines are the primary cause of graft-versus-host disease, which can be prevented by neutralizing these proteins. The study's findings offer new hope for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants, with human clinical trials currently underway.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 31, 2002

New drug shows promise in common and lethal form of leukemia

Researchers have developed a new drug, CEP-701, that targets the genetic error causing a type of leukemia. The drug has shown promising results in clinical trials, interfering with the signal of the altered gene and leading to leukemia cell death.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBlood·DateMay 31, 2002

Study examines issues faced by teen-agers who move to the U.S.

A study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reveals that adolescent immigrants from Korea, Mexico, and Poland face distinct issues in the US. The research highlights how sports promote assimilation and materialism among these young immigrants, with varying degrees of emphasis depending on their cultural background.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateMay 31, 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.