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Science News for January 22, 2003


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.

Help for inner city kids

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality found that compost can reduce lead levels in contaminated soil by 20-38%. This approach has been implemented in pilot programs in Baltimore and East St. Louis, showing promising initial results.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJan 22, 2003

Iron supplements help anemic children even if they have colds

A study found that iron supplements improved iron status and reduced sick days in anemic children, regardless of the presence of upper respiratory tract infections. The research showed no increase in gastrointestinal side effects from supplementation.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 22, 2003

APS announces its 2003 Distinguished Lectureships

The American Physiological Society recognized 12 prominent researchers with its 2003 Distinguished Lectureships, honoring their groundbreaking contributions to physiology. The awardees delivered lectures on April 11-14, 2003, at the Experimental Biology meeting.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateJan 22, 2003

Domestic violence levels high in rural Uganda

A study in rural Uganda found that domestic violence affects nearly half of women, with those whose partners consume alcohol facing a higher risk. The research highlights the connection between domestic violence and HIV risk, suggesting that addressing domestic violence may be crucial to preventing HIV transmission.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateJan 22, 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.

Scientists discover how to grow cells that suppress immune responses

Researchers at WashU Medicine have successfully grown cells known as Tr1 cells in the laboratory, which can suppress immune responses. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as provide insights into infectious diseases like measles and meningitis.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 22, 2003

Mail reminders help patients stick to antidepressant meds

Research found that mail reminders significantly improved adherence rates among patients taking antidepressants, particularly those on SSRIs. The study suggests that the $30,000 spent on this intervention could be cost-effective compared to the estimated cost of lost productivity in depressed workers.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateJan 22, 2003

Multiple factors affect flight power curves among species

Researchers found that cockatiels and turtledoves generate more power in linear flight than magpies, attributed to their tail and wing structure. The study provides insight into how muscles are used to produce power for flight at different speeds.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 22, 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.

Researchers find link between improved memory and the use of neurofeedback

Researchers have found a link between improved memory and the use of neurofeedback, with volunteers showing a significant increase in recall from 70.6% to 81.6%. Neurofeedback allows individuals to watch their brain activity and learn to control it, leading to improved cognitive performance.

SourceImperial College London·JournalInternational Journal of Psychophysiology·DateJan 22, 2003

Columbia research reveals that Gulf Stream is not responsible for mild winters in Europe

The study found that ocean circulation plays a less significant role in climate change, while atmospheric circulation has a major impact on temperature differences between Europe and North America. The Rocky Mountains contribute significantly to the temperature contrast by creating a persistent wave in winds downstream.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateJan 22, 2003

New center will probe links between diet, genes and disease

The Nutrigenomics Center will investigate how different foods interact with genes to increase the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The center aims to identify genes controlled by naturally occurring chemicals in food to improve health management for individuals based on their unique genetic makeup.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateJan 22, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Food fortification spurred by military purchases

Researchers found that food producers responded positively to fortified products after government-led advertising campaigns, leading to widespread compliance. The study highlights the importance of governments as large food purchasers influencing industry behavior.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEconomic Development and Cultural Change·DateJan 22, 2003

Talk of the town leads straight to discovery

Archaeologist Walberg uncovers Late Bronze-Age tomb in Bamboula, yielding over 200 artifacts, including a rare jar containing unburnt human bones. The findings also shed light on the presence of dogs in ancient Greek society.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateJan 22, 2003

Digital X-ray microtomography yields stunning views of limb regeneration

Researchers have discovered that bone formation in a regenerated forelimb combines elements of embryonic development and adult wound healing. MicroCT imaging reveals that bone formation does not occur in the same order as previously thought, but rather follows a pattern similar to normal fracture recovery.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalDevelopmental Dynamics·DateJan 22, 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.

Monkeys show sophisticated learning abilities

Researchers found that monkeys learned and applied strategies to distinguish order in image sequences with high accuracy. The study revealed two distinctive properties: distance effects and magnitude effects, which mimic human responses to memory tasks and number discrimination tasks.

SourceDuke University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 22, 2003

Unbalanced newspaper coverage of homicide

Researchers found that a minority of homicides are reported in national newspapers, with a substantial bias towards covering untypical cases. The report highlights the need for responsible reporting to showcase real dangers and avoid manufacturing fears.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJan 22, 2003

Columbia University research sheds light on Lake Vostak and tectonic activity

New mapping data reveals dramatic changes in Earth's crust beneath Lake Vostok, indicating a faultline and supporting the idea that thermal energy comes from tectonic processes. The lake's unique ecosystem may contain microorganisms with distinct adaptations to extreme environments.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJan 22, 2003
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Crop producers go high-tech with GPS technology

Researchers found that variable rate technology (VRT) with GPS and zone soil sampling reduces lime need by 60% and improves soil pH variability. The study suggests a combination of these technologies provides reasonable and efficient management of soil acidity and lime application.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateJan 22, 2003

New mobile lab aims to bolster bioscience education

The MdBioLab offers state-of-the-art facilities and online access to resources, reaching up to 20,000 students and 100s of science teachers annually. The mobile lab will inspire interest in bioscience and expose students to cutting-edge technology.

SourceThe Institute for Genomic Research·DateJan 22, 2003
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.