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Science News for October 1, 2002


Landcover changes may rival greenhouse gases as cause of climate change

A new NASA-funded study reveals that human-caused land-use changes significantly contribute to climate change, potentially more so than greenhouse gas emissions. The research proposes a method for comparing different climate change factors, highlighting the importance of land surface changes in redistributing heat and affecting regiona...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London·DateOct 1, 2002

UC Berkeley study indicates promise of Chinese herbal medicine in treatment of chronic hepatitis B

A UC Berkeley study analyzed 27 clinical trials and found that combining Chinese herbal treatments with interferon alfa was 1.5-2 times more effective in reducing viral load than using interferon alfa alone. The most promising results came from patients using a combination of bufotoxin and kurorinone with interferon alfa.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 1, 2002

Exercise helps diabetics control heart-related problems

Regular aerobic and weight-lifting activities can help diabetics control blood sugar and lower blood pressure, also providing cardiovascular benefits. Exercise training reduces total and abdominal fat, leading to improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and blood vessel function.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateOct 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.

Antioxidant reduces brain damage in stroke model

Researchers found that a synthetic antioxidant, AEOL 10150, significantly reduced brain tissue destruction and neurological deficits in mice after stroke. The compound protected potentially salvageable tissue surrounding the damaged cells.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·DateOct 1, 2002

MIT model predicts birthplace of defect in a material

The MIT model provides predictive capabilities for understanding defect nucleation and growth, crucial for nanotechnology. It explains how defects like cracks or dislocations develop from waves in four stages, providing a key finding for materials science.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2002

Neural stem cells improve motor function in brain injuries

Researchers have found that neural stem cell transplants in mice improve specific components of motor function, but not cognitive abilities. The study suggests that neural stem cells could be a promising therapy for humans with traumatic brain injuries.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeurosurgery·DateOct 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.

Needle-free blood and tissue measurements

Dr. Babs Soller's team is working on a sensor system that can measure blood and tissue chemistry without the need for blood draws or incisions, providing accurate readings unaffected by skin color or body fat. The device has potential applications in space medicine, emergency rooms, ambulances, and exercise training.

SourceNational Space Biomedical Research Institute·DateOct 1, 2002

Minority children more likely to be evaluated for physical abuse

Researchers found that minority children are over five times more likely to have their accidental injuries evaluated for child abuse compared to Caucasian children. However, when adjusted for likelihood of abuse, minority children were significantly more likely to receive a skeletal survey and be reported to child welfare authorities.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA·DateOct 1, 2002

ADHD in girls can be serious but is often overlooked, UC Berkeley study shows

A recent UC Berkeley study contradicts earlier findings on girls with ADHD, revealing they are severely impaired academically and socially. The study, conducted over six weeks, found these girls have difficulty making friends, exhibiting aggressive behavior, and displaying social isolation.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateOct 1, 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.

JAMA study looks at role of pharmacist in health care

A JAMA study found that pharmacist interventions significantly improved peak flow rates for patients with asthma, but not those who received standard care. The study also showed a notable decrease in breathing-related emergency department or hospital visits among the intervention group.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJAMA·DateOct 1, 2002

GlaxoSmithKline Drug Discovery and Development Award 2002

Researchers Irwin Chaiken, Nouri Neamati, Alan C. Sartorelli, Nan-Sook Lee, Elias Lolis, and Min Lu received awards for their work on preventing HIV from infecting host cells, developing integrase inhibitors, and making current drugs more effective. The $500,000 award aims to encourage new approaches in HIV/AIDS therapy research.

SourcePublic Communications Inc.·DateOct 1, 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.

Other highlights in the October 2 issue of JNCI

Researchers found that patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with zoledronic acid experienced fewer bone complications and less pain compared to those who received a placebo. Additionally, tumors in patients treated with the HuMV833 antiangiogenic antibody showed marked differences in antibody uptake, distribution, and clearance.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 1, 2002

Selling a kidney does not benefit the seller

A study in southern India found that selling a kidney led to a decline in economic and health status for the seller, with only 14% experiencing no negative effects. The findings contradict arguments in favor of financial incentives, suggesting they may deter organ donations instead.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJAMA·DateOct 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.

Researchers devise ways to reduce noise, improve sleep in nursing homes

Researchers have developed several low-cost environmental interventions to reduce noise in nursing homes, resulting in a 16-fold reduction in noise levels. These interventions include sound-absorbing panels, reducing TV noise by moving speakers to bed headboards, and experimenting with tiny speakers embedded in bed pillows.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·DateOct 1, 2002

Study estimates cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening strategies

A study found that visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and HPV DNA testing are less expensive alternatives to traditional Pap smear screening for cervical cancer in developing countries. VIA, performed every 5 years in women ages 35-55, was the least expensive approach and saved the most lives.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 1, 2002

Study finds no evidence that teaching breast self-examination saves lives

A randomized trial of breast self-examination (BSE) in Shanghai found no difference in breast cancer mortality between BSE and control groups. However, women taught BSE had more benign breast lesions detected during every year of the trial.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 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.