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Science News for December 1, 2003


Brain study shows some animals crave exercise

A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mice denied access to a running wheel showed higher levels of neuronal stimulation in certain brain regions, indicating motivation to run. This suggests that some animals may have an addictive nature towards exercise.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateDec 1, 2003

MRI shows back trouble may begin before puberty

A recent MRI study found degenerative changes in the spine as early as childhood, contradicting previous assumptions about when back trouble begins. The research suggests proactive steps should start early in life to prevent future issues.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003

Gastric bypass surgery is riskiest for those who need it most

A study found that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery carries a high risk of complications, including suture tears, leaks, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and infection. Patients who undergo the procedure are at high risk due to co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes and cardiopulmonary problems.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003

Annual CT detects early-stage lung cancer, saves lives

A study of annual CT screenings found that 80% of diagnosed Stage I lung cancers were curable. Long-term follow-up showed a high cure rate for patients with screen-diagnosed lung cancer who underwent surgery. The findings support the use of widespread annual low-dose CT screening in high-risk smokers to detect early-stage lung cancer.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, December 2, 2003

A study found that a waist measurement greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Another study discovered that patients rated their doctors' care higher when both were of the same race, leading to longer matched-race visits.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 1, 2003

New standard proposed for coronary artery calcium screening

A new standard has been proposed for coronary artery calcium screening, which aims to improve accuracy and comparability of results. The new system uses a calibrated scoring method and reduces radiation doses for small and medium-sized patients.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003

UIC researchers create tissue-engineered joint from stem cells

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have successfully created a human-shaped articular condyle using adult stem cells. The tissue-engineered structure retained both bone-like tissue underneath and cartilage-like tissue on top, similar to a natural articular condyle.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateDec 1, 2003

Meteor likely caused Earth's greatest extinction event

A research team led by Luann Becker found evidence of a large impact at the end-Permian boundary in Antarctica, suggesting it triggered the Great Dying, a time of mass extinctions. The team discovered shocked quartz, metallic grains, and breccia layers with similar characteristics to other mass extinction sites.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateDec 1, 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.

Variations in state laws affect elder abuse documentation

The study found that states with mandatory reporting and tracking of domestic elder abuse reports have higher investigation rates than those without. States that track reports had more investigations and nearly three times as many substantiated cases as those that don't.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 1, 2003

Female smokers are twice as likely as male smokers to develop lung cancer

A recent study published by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) found that female smokers are twice as likely to develop lung cancer as male smokers, regardless of smoking habits, age, or nodule size. The study also revealed that increased smoking and aging significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003

Northeastern University physicists become first to demonstrate flat lens imaging

Researchers at Northeastern University have successfully demonstrated flat lens imaging using negative refraction, enabling sub-wavelength imaging and ultra-high sensitive phase shifters. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new components in optical and microwave telecommunications equipment.

SourceNortheastern University·JournalNature·DateDec 1, 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.

Technique kills cancerous cells, leaves healthy cells intact

A new compound has been found to selectively kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy white blood cells intact. The compound, called 13-D, induces apoptosis in cancer cells by activating caspase-3 and causing cell shrinkage, a desirable outcome as it reduces the risk of side effects.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 1, 2003

New ultrafast MRI benefits stroke patients

Researchers found that a three-minute head scan is comparable to the traditional 20-minute version in terms of image quality and diagnostic results. The new protocol eliminated complications from patient movement, resulting in better image quality and accurate blockage identification for clot-busting drugs.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003

Gastric bypass surgery riskiest for those who need it most

A study of 335 patients found that gastric bypass surgery is associated with complications such as suture tears, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia. The procedure should only be considered for patients who have tried other weight loss methods and are at risk of life-threatening complications due to their obesity.

SourceUniversity Hospitals of Cleveland·DateDec 1, 2003
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Obesity risks add to complications of gastric bypass

A study of patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass found significant complications and increased risk of obesity-related health issues. The procedure requires major lifestyle changes and can be fraught with complications, highlighting the importance of weighing risks and benefits before surgery.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateDec 1, 2003

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for December 2003 (first issue)

A study of pregnant women with asthma found that a female fetus can reduce fetal growth if the mother isn't treated with inhaled glucocorticoids. Incomplete arousal processes were linked to SIDS deaths, and active smoking impaired corticosteroid treatment efficacy for asthmatic patients

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 1, 2003

New look at layered material lends insight to silicon

Researchers have viewed an unprecedentedly perfect interface between layers of semiconductor materials germanium and silicon dioxide. This 'atomically sharp' interface could be used to boost the speed of computer chips. The discovery may aid in the design of other devices, including medical implants.

SourceOhio State University·DateDec 1, 2003
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.

Computer-assisted breast imaging systems help find and characterize cancers

Researchers at Michigan Medicine developed computer-assisted breast imaging systems that improve the accuracy of interpretation of digital mammograms and breast ultrasound images. The systems were shown to improve the ability of highly experienced radiologists to detect cancerous tumors, potentially sparing women from unnecessary biops...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateDec 1, 2003
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Communication is key to successful U.S. SARS quarantine

A report from the University of Louisville's Institute for Bioethics, Health Policy and Law highlights the importance of effective communication in successful SARS quarantines, with key findings including the need for a single spokesperson and regular channels to boost compliance.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateDec 1, 2003

Vitamins help treat depression

Researchers found a positive association between high vitamin B12 levels and effective treatment of major depressive disorder. Patients with higher vitamin B12 concentrations responded better to treatment, even when other factors were controlled for.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateDec 1, 2003

Study finds that fungus farming by snails causes marsh grasses to wither

Researchers observed that snails scrape and fertilize grass tissue, stimulating fungal growth. The result is an infestation of fungi, slowing marsh grass growth. This study establishes the mechanism behind snail-mediated fungus farming in marine environments.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2003

Hip cartilage is newest achilles heel for golfers

Labral tears in hip cartilage have been identified as a common injury among professional golfers, with MRI scans revealing significant damage. Eight pro golfers underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair labral injuries, marking a significant shift towards earlier diagnosis and treatment of hip pain.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2003