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Science News Archive February 2003


Page 9 of 9

HAART and heart disease

Researchers found that HIV protease inhibitors directly promote atherosclerosis in mice by inducing changes in macrophages. A commentary article proposes a mechanism and suggests ways to disrupt this process. The study has significant implications for the long-term use of these drugs in managing chronic HIV infection.

Vaccine shortage study exposes nation’s 'patchwork' system

A study found that many doctors' offices struggled to consistently obtain enough Prevnar vaccine, with over half reporting they had run out completely in the past year. The nation's 'patchwork' system of vaccination, driven by varying state practices and private insurance, contributed to these inconsistencies.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Other highlights of the February 5 JNCI

Researchers found that selenium supplements reduced DNA damage in elderly male dogs' prostates, potentially benefiting aging prostate health. A separate study suggests a new retinoid treatment may prevent lung cancer in former smokers by restoring RAR-ß expression and reducing squamous metaplasia.

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.

Sex, flounder and donuts

Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully produced all-female cultured stocks of Southern flounder using controlled-breeding methods and warm water temperature manipulation. This method has significant economic potential, as female flounder can grow up to two times larger than males within two years.

BRCA2 mutations may be associated with some hereditary pancreatic cancers

Researchers identified BRCA2 germline mutations in 19% of families with familial pancreatic cancer. The presence of specific frameshift mutations was found in 12% of the families studied. These findings suggest an important role for BRCA2 mutations in a subpopulation of families with familial pancreatic cancer.

Artemis: a little bit is not enough

Individuals with reduced functional Artemis protein are prone to mild immunodeficiency and increased risk of developing lymphomas. This finding suggests that mutations in Artemis or other DNA repair genes may be responsible for immune deficiency and/or lymphoma cases.

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.

American Civil War newspapers subject of new scholarship

The new Civil War Newspapers website will feature scanned documents of selected newspapers from both North and South, providing detailed indexes and a comprehensive master index. This project aims to provide a valuable resource for historians, allowing them to access a vast amount of information on various topics related to the era.

Undersea diving found safe for older divers

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that older divers remain healthy enough to dive safely as long as they do not have any underlying lung or heart conditions. The study used hyperbaric chambers to measure the effects of carbon dioxide retention on older and younger divers.

Stanford researcher studies newly discovered 'good' cholesterol gene

Researchers have identified a new gene, endothelial lipase (LIPG), that regulates HDL cholesterol levels and impacts the risk of developing heart disease. By altering LIPG expression in genetic models, scientists found an inverse relationship between HDL cholesterol and EL expression.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Depression related to poor health after bypass surgery

Researchers found depression before surgery significantly increased hospitalization for cardiac reasons six months post-operative, with patients experiencing prolonged surgical pain and failure to return to normal activities. Depression also persisted post-surgery, often unrecognized and untreated.

Women soldiers viewed as 'problematic', new report reveals

A new report by Newcastle University and Sunderland University found that many male soldiers and officers still struggle with adjusting to the presence of women in the organization. Women are often portrayed as a disruption or sexualized in media images, influencing Army perceptions and policies.

Psychotherapy for HIV-related pain may have limited appeal

A study of 61 patients with HIV-related peripheral neuropathy found that psychotherapy reduced pain intensity and improved daily life functions. However, high dropout rates and short attendance periods made it challenging to assess the treatment's effectiveness.

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.

Study shows faceguards, safety balls cut number of Little League injuries

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that faceguards reduced facial injuries by 35% and safety balls cut ball-related injuries by 29%. The research analyzed over 6.7 million player-seasons of Little League participation, making it the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind.

Hurry up and wait

A study examining ambulance transport data in Toronto found that diversion can cause important delays for critically ill patients. The researchers used data from 3609 patients with chest pain in 1997 and 1999 to show a 28.4% increase in transport intervals during periods of high overcrowding.

Family friendly work policies may need to be refocused

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that family-friendly policies should prioritize protecting work from disruptions and fostering productivity. The study suggests that learning opportunities at work can be applied at home, providing a more beneficial balance between work and family life.

Poor sleep linked to earlier death in older adults

Research suggests that lying awake for long periods and having disrupted sleep patterns increase the risk of death among older adults. Interventions aiming to improve sleep quality may also prolong life and enhance overall well-being in this age group.

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.

More evidence that wealth equals health

A Canadian study analyzing 47,000 Ontario patients reveals a strong correlation between wealth and access to angiography procedures. The findings suggest that disparities in healthcare are unlikely to be resolved by increasing the overall availability of these procedures.

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, February 4, 2003

A study examining ephedra's effects found it was more likely to cause negative side effects than other herbs; sale of ephedra as a supplement should be restricted or banned due to increased risk. A hospital discharge period is also deemed dangerous for patients, with one in five experiencing adverse events after going home.

High sugar blood levels linked to poor memory

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found an association between impaired glucose regulation and reduced hippocampal volume, leading to poorer memory performance. This suggests that improving glucose tolerance may have significant treatment implications for age-related cognitive decline.

Primary care in the United States in crisis

The article highlights the critical state of primary care in the United States, citing organizational and financial pressures that threaten its viability. The UCSF-led report proposes seven principles for reconstructing primary care, focusing on patient-centered care, adequate reimbursement, and improved education.

Restriction or ban of ephedra supported by first comparative herbal study

A comparative herbal study found that ephedra is hundreds of times riskier than other commonly used herbs, posing a risk 200 times greater than all other herbal supplements combined. The study's findings prompted calls for more stringent regulation or banning of the substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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.

'LabWrite' site boosts college students’ lab-report skills

The LabWrite Web site provides step-by-step instruction on writing lab reports, including goal-setting, data organization, and visualization. Students using the tool showed statistically significant improvement in lab-report scores and attitudes toward lab reports.

Purdue researchers connect life's blueprints with its energy source

Purdue University researchers have discovered how RNA molecules bind energy-bearing ATP molecule, enabling physical work and potential applications in nanotechnology. The discovery sheds light on RNA's role in creation of living things and may unlock new methods for delivering therapeutic molecules.

Bringing students back from Web to scholarly sources

A Cornell University library sciences study found that instructors setting minimal bibliographic guidelines for research led to a return of citation levels to pre-Internet era. Students now obtain references from original sources like government papers and legal documents more easily online.

Sepsis on the rise in the United States

Researchers found a 6.9% annual increase in complex severe sepsis cases and a slight increase in ICU admissions. Despite this, sepsis-related mortality decreased by approximately 4% over the seven-year period.

The dollars and sense of protecting the ocean

Groundbreaking studies show that marine protected areas can help maintain migratory species populations and increase fish catches, while also providing economic benefits for society. However, the optimal MPA size varies depending on specific situations, with estimates suggesting sizes of 25-70% of the total area.

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.

A shift to home death?

In Nova Scotia, a 52% increase in out-of-hospital cancer deaths between 1992 and 1997 was observed. This trend poses challenges for the healthcare system, particularly palliative care.

Genetic heterogeneity of Icelanders

A recent study reveals that Icelanders are more genetically diverse than previously thought, with higher rates of nucleotide differences and population admixture. This contradicts earlier claims of genetic homogeneity, which were largely based on flawed data and errors in publicly accessible databases.

News for every parent: Ways to protect your infant from sudden death

African-American infants are disproportionately affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to sleeping on non-crib surfaces or sharing a bed with adults. The study highlights the need for public awareness campaigns to address this racial disparity and promotes the use of cribs as the only safe places for sleeping babies.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Children's use of stimulant medications vary widely by state

A study by Express Scripts found that stimulant prescription claims for school-age children are concentrated in the South and Midwest, with higher-income communities also showing higher usage. States like Louisiana had a rate of 6.5 stimulant prescriptions per 100 eligible, while the District of Columbia had a much lower rate of 1.6.

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.

First step along possible new avenue of cancer research reported

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that malfunctioning beta-spectrin genes cause defects in embryonic development and interfere with TGF-beta functions, which are crucial for growth and cancer progression. This discovery has important implications for human disease research and treatment.

Using RNA interference to tune gene activity in stem cells

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory develop a new method to set the level of gene activity in stem cells using RNA interference, revealing distinct forms of lymphoma based on p53 levels. The study establishes RNAi as a convenient alternative to traditional gene knockout strategies.

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.