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Science News for January 15, 2003


Vitamins may protect against heart disease

Research suggests that taking dietary supplements of L-arginine and antioxidants like vitamins C and E may lower the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The treatment reduced inflammation and increased production of eNOS, a molecule that prevents blood clots.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2003

Walking sticks lost wings, then re-evolved them

A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found that walking stick species re-evolved wings after losing them 50 million years earlier. The discovery raises questions about the basics of evolutionary theory and suggests that complexity can be maintained over tens of millions of years.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2003
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Lightning really does strike more than twice

A NASA study found that lightning strikes in multiple locations, with 35% of recorded flashes striking the ground in two or more places. On average, each cloud-to-ground flash struck the ground in 1.45 separate places, increasing the risk of being struck by 45%.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 15, 2003

UMass study reconsiders formation of Antarctic ice sheet

A UMass study suggests that greenhouse gases were the primary driver behind the rapid formation of Antarctica's ice sheet, contradicting a long-held theory on plate tectonics. The researchers used computer simulations to recreate the world 34 million years ago and found that a drop in carbon dioxide levels triggered the glaciation.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2003

NASA scientists take first 'full-body scan' of evolving thunderstorm

Researchers gather data from an unusual storm over the Amazon rainforest to analyze the storm's inner workings, revealing a two-phase process where both precipitation forms at lower altitudes and higher in the atmosphere. The study provides new insight into storm intensity and hazards, which should be avoided by aircraft.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 15, 2003

Is remote sensing the answer to today's agriculture problems?

Scientists at North Carolina State University developed a remote sensing technique to accurately time nitrogen fertilizer applications in wheat, resulting in an 86% success rate across various environmental conditions. This technology allows growers to make informed decisions that balance profitability and environmental stewardship.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateJan 15, 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.

Human lymph disease could tail off thanks to gecko

Researchers studying the common Australian gecko Christinus marmoratus have found a protein growth factor that contributes to its ability to quickly regenerate its tail after losing it. This discovery is encouraging for treating human lymphoedema, but more research is needed.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 15, 2003

Medical devices safe, but could be safer with better regulation

A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that medical devices used in procedures like bronchoalveolar lavage can pose a risk of contamination, leading to infections and even fatalities. The study suggests implementing federal standards for recall notices sent to physicians who use the devices.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 15, 2003

Blood banking systems improving in China, more progress needed

China's blood banking system is fragmenting due to rural-urban differences and has a scarcity of volunteer donors, leading to paid donations and illegal activities. Improvements are needed to adopt a volunteer-donor-only system, increasing education and training for those involved in blood collection and transfusion.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 15, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Growing human antibodies in algae

Researchers create a new, cost-effective way to produce human therapeutic proteins using algae. They can now make large quantities of antibodies and other proteins much cheaper than traditional methods.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2003

Iron overload gene tied to colon cancer increased risk

Research found that people with a specific iron overload gene mutation are at higher risk of developing colon cancer, especially with increasing age and iron intake. The study analyzed DNA samples from over 1,300 adults and found a significant association between HFE gene mutations and an increased risk of colon cancer.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 15, 2003

More women quit smoking during pregnancy, but not before and after

A study analyzing data from 115,000 women found that smoking rates among pregnant women rose during the study period, but not before or after. The number of quitters increased by 9 percentage points, while 60% resumed smoking within six months post-delivery.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 15, 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.

Presence of certain tumor markers for melanoma could signal best results for vaccine

A recent study by the American Association for Cancer Research found that patients with advanced melanoma expressing higher levels of melanoma-associated antigens (MAAs) experienced significantly improved survival outcomes. The study suggests that these tumors may be more responsive to immunotherapy, such as vaccines against melanoma.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 15, 2003
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.

Dogs on fatty diet may give clues to human disease development

A study by Purdue University scientists found that dogs on fatty diets exhibited reduced growth, bone formation, and immune function. The research suggests that oxidized fats in the diet can contribute to aging and disease development in humans, particularly children during critical stages of growth.

SourcePurdue University·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateJan 15, 2003