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Science News Archive 2003


Page 41 of 108

Honeybee gene find ends 150-year search

Researchers isolated a honeybee gene called csd, revealing that female bees have two different versions of the gene that form an active protein triggering female development. This discovery explains how male and female bees develop from fertilized and unfertilized eggs, respectively.

Early detection of lung cancer possible with CAT and PET scans

Researchers found that a combination of low-dose spiral CT and selective use of PET can effectively detect early-stage lung cancer in high-risk individuals. The study showed that lesions up to 5mm can be safely followed up after 12 months without major risks of progression.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Tides control flow of Antarctic ice streams

Researchers found a clear association between ocean tides and ice stream motion in West Antarctica. The study discovered that a one-meter tide variation can cause an ice stream to halt and then accelerate rapidly.

Newly found gene resistant to economically crippling wheat disease

A newly discovered gene, Stb8, has been found in bread wheat species to be resistant to Septoria tritici leaf blotch, a fungus causing significant yield losses worldwide. The gene's longer duration of effectiveness compared to previous genes may make it a valuable addition to breeding programs.

How AIDS destroys immunity

Researchers found that the HIV vpr gene exploits the normal repair process of cells to stop vital white blood cells from replicating, thus disabling the immune system. The study suggests a possible treatment for AIDS-related immune-system damage using medicines that prevent the human ATR gene from being activated by HIV's vpr gene.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

'MicroRNAs' control plant shape and structure

Researchers have discovered microRNA JAW that controls the development of flat leaves, a key characteristic in capturing sunlight and energy. The study reveals the importance of microRNA regulation in plant morphology, paving the way for new avenues in agricultural advancements.

Genes that paint fly derrieres hint at convergence

Researchers found a common gene, Bric-a-brac2, responsible for diverse pattern and color pigmentation across 13 fruit fly species. The study suggests that similar genetic mechanisms govern body plans in related animals.

Tipping the balance of prion infectivity

Studies with yeast prions show that small mutations can cause transmission barriers, potentially explaining species barriers for mammalian prions. The findings suggest a new approach to treating disorders like Alzheimer's by influencing toxic protein folding.

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.

Scientists map signaling molecule crucial to survival, disease

Researchers have mapped the location of a dominant signaling molecule on proteins, which causes cancer and diabetes when it goes awry. The discovery allows scientists to block aberrant binding and treat diseases by designing drugs that target specific phosphate bonding patterns.

Textbook case of tectonic movement is wrong, says new study

A new study has found that mobile magma plumes, rather than stationary hotspots, are responsible for the formation of islands and subsurface mountains in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery challenges traditional theories of tectonic movement and sheds light on climate changes recorded in ancient rocks.

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.

Salk News: Social behavior genes

A study at the Salk Institute found that children with Williams syndrome exhibit unique social behavior patterns, including high scores on tests measuring social interactions. Genetic screening revealed that one gene may be responsible for this hyper-sociability in some individuals, suggesting a potential genetic link to the disorder.

Deadly 'Drug Corner' moves to your computer

A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 53% of computer searches for 'no prescription codeine' lead to illegal opiate sales sites. The sites often require minimal information and can be accessed from outside the US, posing a significant risk to public health.

Bechtel Foundation donates $300,000 for Atomic Testing Museum

The Bechtel Foundation has donated $300,000 to support the development of an atomic testing museum at the Desert Research Institute's Frank H. Rogers Building. The museum will feature exhibits on the Cold War role of the Nevada Test Site and traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution.

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.

Ketogenic diet raises cholesterol, lipid levels in children

A study published in JAMA found that children on the ketogenic diet for six months had significantly elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but these levels often normalized after treatment cessation. The researchers suggest that the diet should remain a treatment option despite short-term lipids elevation.

Borneo elephants: A high priority for conservation

Research reveals Borneo's elephants are genetically distinct from other Asian elephants, suggesting they may have parted ways 300,000 years ago. This classification changes the focus of their conservation, as their habitats are increasingly disrupted by human expansion.

Physicians and patients rarely discuss costs

A study found that physicians often fail to discuss out-of-pocket costs with patients, leading to financial burden and skipped medication. Discussing costs can make a difference, enabling physicians to seek less expensive alternatives.

Other highlights in the August 20 issue of JNCI

Researchers found that postmenopausal women with a higher body mass index have an increased risk of breast cancer due to elevated estrogen levels. In contrast, heavier men under age 60 or those with family history of prostate cancer may experience lower risks of developing the disease.

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.

New study rebuts claims about Icelandic genetic heterogeneity

Researchers from deCODE Genetics and the University of Oxford found that genetic drift, not admixture, has shaped Iceland's gene pool. The study suggests that small effective population size and relative isolation have contributed to Iceland's unique genetic characteristics.

Disease-causing genetic mutations in sperm increase with men's age

Researchers found that older men's sperm contain more disease-causing genetic mutations, which surprisingly increase the chances of fertilization. The mutations may confer a competitive advantage to the sperm, contributing to the increased incidence of rare genetic diseases in children born to older fathers.

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 examines limited-field radiation for early breast cancer

A study examined whether limited-field radiation therapy could be an effective alternative to whole-breast radiation therapy for patients at low risk of recurrence. The results showed no significant difference in local recurrence rates or overall survival between the two groups after five years of follow-up.

St. Jude Medical announces publication of results of its ADOPT-A trial

The ADOPT-A trial demonstrates the effectiveness of the AF Suppression algorithm in reducing symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) burden. The study found a significant 25% reduction in symptomatic AF episodes in patients using the algorithm compared to those with standard pacemaker indications.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UCI researchers identify link between infant seizures

Researchers found prolonged fever-induced seizures increase brain's production of endocannabinoids, leading to long-term modifications in neural receptors linked to them. This can result in an increased susceptibility to seizures until adulthood.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Promising West Nile virus vaccine protects monkeys

A live but weakened virus is being tested as a potential West Nile virus vaccine, with promising results showing high levels of protective antibodies in monkeys. The vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing the disease-causing virus while triggering a strong immune response.

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.

Wake Forest to assist seven UNC schools with technology commercialization

Seed Stage Associates LLC will provide education, assistance, training and advice to establish tech transfer offices, while aiding established offices in evaluation, marketing and licensing of new technologies. The company will leverage resources of western North Carolina schools for collaboration.

Global analysis finds a large portion of the earth is still wilderness

A global analysis reveals that 44% of the Earth's land surface consists of 24 wilderness areas, but they are occupied by only 3% of the world's population. These high-biodiversity wilderness areas face significant threats from human activities, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect them.

Purdue researchers expose 'Docking Bay' for viral attack

Researchers at Purdue University have captured the clearest image yet of the T4 virus's docking bay, a complex structure that allows it to infect its host. This breakthrough could lead to new strategies for stopping viral infections and developing novel antibiotics.

Toxic protein could explain Alzheimer's and lead to breakthroughs

Researchers have found small, soluble aggregated proteins called ADDLs in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, up to 70 times more than in normal individuals. These proteins may be reversibly blocking memory function, providing a potential target for new therapeutic drugs.

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.

Unfair treatment means African Americans prefer same-race doctors

A study by a UC assistant professor of sociology found that African Americans are twice as likely to prefer African American doctors and nurses if they or a family member experienced unfair treatment. The study analyzed national phone survey data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 1999.

Threatened juvenile salmon get scientific assistance

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed a culvert test bed to assess hydraulic conditions and fish behavior in various culvert designs. The system enables controlled experiments to address ESA issues and inform improved stream crossing designs, benefiting the well-being of fish runs in Washington State.

New Alzheimer projections add urgency to search for prevention, cure

Researchers estimate that by mid-century, up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's disease, with significant increases in prevalence among the oldest age group. Increasing funding for research is critical to prevent the disease or delay its onset and avoid devastating economic costs.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Weather extremes shed light on prairie's past and environment's future

A team of researchers from the Illinois State Water Survey and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that frequent droughts, lightning strikes, and fires are critical factors for the plains. Long-term data gathered since 1890 suggests that these extremes are key issues in addressing global climate change.

New tool helps researchers bone up on osteoporosis

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new tool using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to accurately determine bone mineral density in hens. The study found that more calcium resulted in greater bone mineral density and stronger bones, leading to potential improvements in egg production.

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, August 19, 2003

Research reveals that obese individuals are more likely to develop symptoms of acute mountain sickness at high altitudes, with lower blood oxygen levels. In contrast, smoking marijuana or taking synthetic cannabinoids in HIV patients did not affect key treatment indicators, according to a new study. A no-fault medical malpractice syste...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Severity of ADHD in children increases risk of drug use in adolescence

A study found that children with severe attention problems in childhood are more likely to develop substance abuse issues, particularly alcohol and marijuana problems. The researchers suggest that early identification and treatment of ADHD can help prevent these issues by targeting the root cause of inattention symptoms.

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.

Element 110 is named darmstadtium

Element 110, darmstadtium, has been named by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry after its discovery in Darmstadt, Germany. The element was synthesized through a fusion-evaporation experiment using a 62Ni beam on an isotopically enriched 208Pb target.

Sociologist proposes disaster scale to facilitate recovery and research

A sociologist has developed a 10-category scale to measure disasters and terrorism events, helping researchers and practitioners distinguish between appropriate mitigating efforts. The scale assesses the degree of social disruption resulting from an actual or potential disaster, with categories ranging from everyday emergencies to anni...

Small subset of cells has big role in controlling immunity, study finds

Researchers have identified a small subset of dendritic cells that can suppress T-cell responses, potentially treating tumors and autoimmune diseases. Experimental immunosuppressive agents are being explored for their ability to target this subset, offering new hope for patients with transplanted organs and autoimmune conditions.