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Science News for April 17, 2003


Process triggered by some anti-cancer drugs causes tumors in mice, study finds

Researchers found that hypomethylation, a process triggered by some anti-cancer drugs, can cause tumors in mice. The study suggests that these drugs may do harm as well as good, and highlights the need for further research into the effects of hypomethylation on cancer development in different tissues.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2003

Key to hepatitis virus persistence found

Researchers identify viral protease NS3/4A as a key player in evading the immune system, leading to new avenues for clinical and basic research on hepatitis C. Inhibiting this protease restores the host's immune response, reducing viral levels to nearly undetectable levels.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fast changing gene drives species split

Researchers studied a gene called Hybrid male rescue in fruit flies and found it altered at an unprecedented rate, speeding up the formation of new species. The work suggests that genetic changes can occur rapidly, driving species divergence.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2003

Emerging stronger from the China crisis

The editorial highlights China's slow information-gathering from rural districts and secretive attitude to national health statistics as major challenges. A concerted effort to compile accurate statistics on HIV/AIDS prevalence could demonstrate China's ability to learn from its mistakes and acknowledge global responsibilities.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 17, 2003

Report urges Congress to increase medical research

The report, endorsed by national not-for-profit research organizations, urges a 10% increase in the NIH budget to address Alzheimer's, diabetes, and arthritis. This investment could lead to major medical advances and alleviate suffering from aging-related diseases.

SourceAlliance for Aging Research·DateApr 17, 2003
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.

Novel method identifies 'hidden' genes

A novel computational method, MiRscan, has been developed to estimate the total number of miRNA genes in different animals. The researchers used this tool to identify 88 miRNA genes in C. elegans and estimated that miRNA genes comprise nearly one percent of the human genome.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalGenes & Development·DateApr 17, 2003

Study highlights value of nurses for identifying adverse drug reactions

A recent study highlights the importance of nurses in reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The research found that the proportion and quality of reports received from nurses were similar to those from doctors. This suggests that nurses can play a valuable part in enhancing pharmacovigilance within the UK.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 17, 2003

New drugs restore immune response blocked by hepatitis C virus in human cells

Researchers discovered that a new class of protease inhibitors can prevent the hepatitis C virus from blocking the innate immune response, restoring it in human cells. This finding suggests that these drugs will have dual efficacy and could become an important addition to existing treatments for hepatitis C.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2003

Laughing gas - A fashionable recreational drug?

A study of 1782 first-year university students in Auckland found a high prevalence of recreational nitrous oxide use. The survey revealed that many students were unaware of the potential health risks associated with this substance.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 17, 2003
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.

An unexplored genomic terrain in a handful of dirt

The study reveals a vast array of genomic diversity among the ten newly isolated phages, with varying genome lengths and unexpected similarities to bacterial genomes. This discovery challenges traditional classification systems and raises questions about the role of bacteriophages in evolution.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateApr 17, 2003

Dartmouth engineers closer to mass-producing therapeutic proteins

Researchers at Dartmouth College have made a breakthrough in producing human therapeutics using a yeast-based protein expression system. By genetically engineering the yeast P. pastoris, they can now produce fully-humanized proteins with complex glycosylation structures.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2003

Roads pave the way for weed invasions

Researchers found that improved roads convert natural habitats to roadside areas, allowing non-native weeds to spread into adjacent ecosystems. In contrast, native plants thrive closer to roads with typical grassland soils.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalConservation Biology·DateApr 17, 2003
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.

Sloppy repair helps TB bug resist drugs

Researchers discovered TB bacteria use an error-prone DNA polymerase, DnaE2, to introduce mutations and increase drug resistance. The enzyme plays a key role in the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalCell·DateApr 17, 2003

White noise delays auditory organization in brain

Research suggests that exposure to constant white noise delays auditory organization in the brain of rats, which may have implications for human language development. The study found that the brains of noise-exposed rats took longer to develop and mature than those raised in normal conditions.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2003

Molecular machine shuffles beads on a DNA string

Researchers discovered that Rad54 and Rad51 proteins form a molecular machine that can repair DNA damage by moving nucleosomes along the strand and stitching new DNA into place. This process becomes more efficient with the addition of Rad51, which binds to single strands of DNA.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateApr 17, 2003

Continental roots go deep, but not as deep as some people thought

A team of UC Berkeley scientists resolves a long-standing puzzle in earth science by clarifying the depth of the continental lithosphere. By re-examining earthquake-generated seismic waves, they determine that the boundary between the lithosphere and asthenosphere lies at 200-250 kilometers.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateApr 17, 2003
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.

Salk News: Researchers find obesity receptor

A study published in Cell identified the function of PPARd, a key receptor that regulates how fat is used. The receptor was found to regulate adaptive thermogenesis, a physiological defense against obesity.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateApr 17, 2003