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Science News Archive 2003


Page 15 of 108

Researchers pinpoint enzyme involved in arthritis onset

The study found that inhibiting PKR prevents the production and activation of enzymes that break down connective tissue and the release of proteoglycan from cartilage. This suggests that PKR is involved in the molecular pathways that contribute to arthritis progression.

Growth factor grows stem cells that help heal hearts

Researchers discovered that a growth factor, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), can increase the number of stem cells in the heart, which may help repair damaged heart tissue. After six weeks, patients showed significant improvements in heart function and metabolic recovery.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study finds new mothers are resistant to stress

A study by Rutgers University researchers found that female rats during the postpartum period are less anxious and more resistant to stress than females without offspring. This unique response may be linked to the high incidence of mental illness in new mothers, including depression and anxiety.

A little electrical boost may help many heart failure patients

A new implantable device called OPTIMIZER II has shown promise in treating heart failure by strengthening the heart's contraction using an electrical signal. The study enrolled 25 patients with moderately severe heart failure and found a statistically significant improvement in ejection fraction and quality of life.

System halts computer viruses, worms, before end-user stage

Researchers developed a hardware platform called FPX that scans for malware signatures in parallel, allowing it to scan every byte of network traffic at an unprecedented rate. This technology can quarantine viruses and worms within sub-networks, protecting thousands of users with just a few devices.

Air pollution, even at 'safe' levels, is bad for the heart

A study found a significant positive association between cardiovascular disease deaths and air pollutants in Athens, Greece, with a 10-mg/m3 increase in black smoke linked to a 4% increase in CVD deaths. High carbon monoxide levels also showed a strong correlation with increased heart disease risk.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Defibrillators may improve survival in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

The DEFINITE study found that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death and improve overall survival in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. The study, which followed 458 participants for two years, showed a statistically significant reduction in arrhythmic deaths and all-cause mortality.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Nicotine metabolite may improve memory, protect against disease

New animal studies suggest that nicotine exposure during development can disrupt normal emotional learning in adulthood. Researchers have identified a novel brain circuit where changes occur, leading to altered behavior. The findings indicate potential use of pure nicotine-like compounds as medications for treating human disorders.

New mothers protected from stress, have heightened reward, smell

Pregnant women exhibit enhanced odor sensitivity and unpleasantness, which may help protect against stress. A study also found that brain areas mediating 'reward' are stimulated by pup suckling in rat mothers, suggesting a potential link between smell, reward, and maternal bonding.

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.

Poor neighborhood linked to poor heart attack survival

A new study found that patients living in neighborhoods with high poverty rates had a 30% higher death rate after a heart attack. Researchers analyzed data from the Worcester Heart Attack Study, which included 2,539 confirmed cases of heart attack collected between 1995 and 1999.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Drug proven to benefit heart attack victims vastly underused

A study analyzing data from over 56,000 U.S. patients found that almost two out of three received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors within the first 24 hours, resulting in a 2.7% in-hospital death rate compared to 4.7%. The researchers emphasized the importance of aggressive treatment protocols and adherence to established guidelines.

Repetitive work tasks linked to bone damage

A study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that repetitive work tasks can cause pathological overloading of upper extremity bones in rats. The researchers observed tissue damage and inflammation within 3-6 weeks, suggesting the potential for early intervention to prevent further harm.

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.

Men’s social isolation linked to higher heart disease risk

A study examining factors that influence successful aging found a link between social isolation and increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers in men's blood. The study suggests that social relationships may influence health through biological processes, with implications for heart disease risk.

Emory scientists find oral tetrahydrobiopterin can reduce high blood pressure

Researchers at the Emory Heart Center found that oral tetrahydrobiopterin can significantly lower blood pressure in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. The study showed a significant reduction in blood pressure after just three weeks of therapy, likely due to increased availability of nitric oxide and enhanced vasodilation.

News tips for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003

Researchers develop new approach to treating extreme artery blockages using G-CSF treatment. Insurance disparities are found in diabetic minorities with a lack of coverage driving disparities in preventive care.

INFORMS names Fellow Award Winners

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has recognized 2003 Fellow Award winners for their significant contributions to the field of operations research and management science. The recipients include prominent academics, practitioners, and educators in various fields.

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.

Studies show beneficial effects of bilingual learning

Researchers found bilingual children outperform monolingual peers in cognitive tasks and show significant improvement in reading skills with just a few months of practice. This suggests that bilingualism can provide a cognitive edge and may lead to more effective therapies for speech and language disorders.

Thanksgiving: A time for healthful eating?

Recent research findings highlight the health benefits of traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as cranberries, which can aid recovery from stroke, and may protect brain cells. Antioxidant-rich foods like hot cocoa tops both red wine and tea in cancer-fighting compounds.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A heart-strengthening pace: brisk but comfortable

A recent study by the American Heart Association recommends regular brisk but comfortable walking to boost cardiovascular fitness. Middle-aged obese adults walked at a self-selected pace and achieved recommended levels of exercise intensity.

Post-9/11 surveillance crosses borders, affects 'ordinary people'

A $1.9 million grant will study the impact of personal data flow on society, exploring how individuals and organizations collect, share, and use personal information across borders. The project aims to generate informed debate and positive change in global policies around handling personal data.

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.

Some re-established elk herds lack genetic diversity of ancestors

Research at Purdue University found that re-established elk herds in Pennsylvania and California have lost significant amounts of genetic diversity due to poor management and small reintroduction numbers. This loss can make them more vulnerable to environmental changes, highlighting the importance of effective herd management.

Bone marrow stem cells build new circulation to lungs

Researchers used endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrow to repair damaged blood vessels in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), reducing systolic pressure and improving microcirculation. The study suggests a regenerative approach that could lead to a new clinical therapy for this devastating disease.

IU fruit fly scientists capture $20 million grant

The Indiana University-led FlyBase team will develop and maintain the public interface of the database, while the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center will provide prized Drosophila mutants crucial to various scientific fields. Over 12,000 scientists worldwide have authored papers about Drosophila in the past.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Male flesh flies high-speed pursuit of females

Researchers found that male flesh flies radically move their heads while chasing females, but don't necessarily use the high-definition parts of their compound eyes. This unique visual guidance system could help engineers develop better detection systems for aircraft and artillery.

Studies describe heart disease following smallpox vaccination

A recent study has found a link between smallpox vaccination and rare heart diseases, including pericarditis and myocarditis. Twenty-four cases of these conditions were identified among 37,876 US civilian healthcare workers who received the vaccine as part of a bioterrorism readiness program.

PET: An effective method to predict breast cancer survival?

Researchers found decreased tumor blood flow correlated significantly with survival in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study suggests tumor biology should be an important factor in considering patient response to treatment.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Experts use technology to research the past

A new three-year project makes 500 mid-Victorian wood engraved illustrations available as a searchable digital web database. The database will include books published in 1862, featuring significant authors like Trollope, and provide insights into 19th-century cultural history and artistic styles.

Enzyme revealed that is key to fungus's ability to breach immune system

A study by Duke University researchers found that a fungus's ability to breach the immune system is linked to an enzyme called flavohemoglobin. The team discovered that this enzyme plays a crucial role in defending against nitric oxide produced by the immune system, and that disabling it can significantly reduce fungal virulence.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

News tips for Monday, Nov. 10, 2003

Researchers found that women with coronary artery disease and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator have a lower rate of sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation compared to men. Additionally, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in health clubs reversed sudden cardiac death in six out of eight victims, supporting the ...

Study predicts loss of monarch winter refuges

A study predicts that monarch butterfly winter refuges in central Mexico will continue to decline due to increased storms and wet conditions. Human activities such as deforestation and logging further exacerbate the problem, threatening the survival of these iconic butterflies.

Scientists find brain areas affected by lack of sleep

Research reveals that sleep deprivation impairs certain brain areas, including the cerebral cortex, but also activates others, such as the cerebellum. This study sheds light on the complex role of sleep in cellular function and suggests new possibilities for treating sleep disorders.

A bird in a tree for biodiversity

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences documents harm caused by habitat fragmentation to a tree species native to Tanzania. The research found that birds that disperse seeds for the tree are rare or absent in fragmented areas, leading to poor seed regeneration and threatening the tree's survival.

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.

Similar outcomes for atrrial fibrillationi patients with congestive heart failure

A study by Duke University Medical Center cardiologists found that patients with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure have similar mortality rates when treated with drugs controlling the heart's rhythm compared to those controlling the heart's rate. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,000 patients, also found no diff...

Human senses not distinct, but interact in many ways, studies show

A recent study on sensory interaction found that the brain amplifies information from sight and smell when they fit together well, leading to a stronger perception of odors. Additionally, research on blind individuals revealed that their sense of touch is not inferior to sighted people's, contrary to popular belief.