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Science News Archive July 2003


Page 1 of 9

Designer proteins

Researchers at Duke University have successfully redesigned sensor proteins that can detect a range of molecules, including explosives like TNT and neurotransmitters. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies for monitoring diabetes and locating underwater robots.

Nitric oxide may change basic understanding of cellular machinery

The study reveals that nitric oxide alters protein interactions, leading to new insights into the underlying causes of disease and potential new therapies. The findings suggest that NO regulates a broad spectrum of cellular reactions, potentially underlining some disease symptoms.

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Study compares three weekly regimens of chemotherapy for lung cancer

A new study has found that a weekly regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin is well-tolerated and effective in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment resulted in a response rate of 32% and median survival time of 49 weeks, with fewer side effects compared to standard regimens.

Haemophilia carriers have a reduced risk of ischaemic heart disease

A study by Frits Rosendaal and colleagues found that haemophilia carriers have a significantly lower risk of ischaemic heart disease, with a 36% decrease in overall mortality. This reduction in blood clotting may offer protection against heart attacks and has implications for future prevention strategies.

Stem cell death gives clue to brain cell survival

Researchers at UGA have identified a lipid-protein duo causing massive stem cell death during brain development, but also hinting at potential recovery mechanisms for devastating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study reveals that this 'deadly couple' leads to the survival of cells destined to form neurons.

Risk of Hepatitis E from consumption of deer?

A study in Japan found that consuming raw Japanese deer meat may transmit Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a rare liver disease. The infected deer meat tested positive for HEV RNA, suggesting an animal route of transmission. This discovery adds the Sika deer to the list of foods with a risk of transmitting HEV.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Waiter, there's a shark in my soup

Researchers have developed a DNA-based test to accurately distinguish great white sharks from other species, even when only dried fins or meat are available. This new test will help conservationists and fisheries managers better regulate and protect great whites, a species that has declined by up to 79% in the northwestern Atlantic.

How old mice get bright again

Max Planck researchers found that reducing SK3 channel production in the hippocampus of aged mice prevented learning and memory deficits. The study provides new insight into the mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline and suggests a potential therapeutic approach.

Salk news: Understanding gene function

The Salk Institute's latest study, led by Joseph Ecker, provides a detailed map of Arabidopsis genes and their functions. The team has also identified key molecular pathways involved in ethylene gas signaling, which is crucial for plant growth, yield, and drought tolerance.

Congress is not so easily 'bought'

A study published by the American Sociological Association finds that campaign contributions and lobbying have limited impact on policy, with party lines and ideology playing a greater role. The average PAC donation to candidates is $1,700, which is not enough to win significant influence.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Emory University researchers find clue to Huntington's disease mechanism

Researchers discover that the HAP1 protein plays a crucial role in brain damage caused by Huntington's disease. The protein's interaction with mutant huntingtin leads to apoptosis in neurons, particularly in the hypothalamus. This finding offers new hope for therapeutic strategies aimed at bolstering HAP1 function.

New 'knockout' map helps study gene functions in model plant

Scientists have inactivated almost three-quarters of all genes in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana, creating a public database of genome-wide gene mutations. The study provides significant new information on the function of individual and groups of genes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Ground-breaking work in understanding of time

Peter Lynds' paper challenges assumptions about determined instantaneous physical magnitude and time, proposing a necessary trade-off between precisely determined physical values and continuity through time. He addresses long-standing issues in physics, including cosmology and the role of imaginary time.

Is science stuck in the middle ages?

Innovation in biomedical research is being stifled by pharmaceutical companies' increased risk aversion. Small biotech firms, often spun off from universities, are taking on more risk to develop new drugs.

Researchers solve structure of key drug target

A research team led by H. Ronald Kaback solved the three-dimensional structure of the bacterial membrane transport protein lacose permease (LacY), shedding light on its mechanism and function. The resulting structure revealed intricate interactions between amino acids, sugars, and protons, providing crucial insights into membrane trans...

Lengthening achilles tendon reduces recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers

A study published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that lengthening the Achilles tendon can reduce the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers by up to 75% after seven months. The procedure, which involves stretching the tendon and immobilizing the foot for six weeks, also requires caution to prevent increased stress on the heel.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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'Knockout' research eases study of plant gene functions

Researchers can now study specific gene function in Arabidopsis by quickly searching for and ordering genetically modified plants with knocked-out genes. Over 21,700 genes were identified as having been turned off using insertional mutagenesis, representing a significant advancement in understanding plant genome functions.

Anthony Hyman receives EMBO Gold Medal 2003

Anthony Hyman, group leader at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, wins prestigious EMBO Gold Medal. His research focuses on microtubules' role in cell division, shedding light on their dynamics and functions.

Severe sentences no deterrence, say criminologists

A report by U of T professors Anthony Doob and Cheryl Webster finds that harsher sentences do not reduce crime, citing the likelihood of apprehension as a key factor. The researchers argue that more resources are needed for social and educational programs to help children and youth thrive in school and prevent crime.

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New mechanism for gene silencing identified

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a new mechanism for gene silencing that involves multiple enzymes and histone modifications. This discovery could lead to the development of new cancer therapies by re-silencing inappropriately activated genes.

Folic acid may have no immediate impact on Down Syndrome

A study by Dr. Joel Ray found that folic acid fortification has no immediate effect on the incidence of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) in Canada. Research suggests that genetic mutations may occur before fetal development, making folic acid supplementation less effective in preventing the condition.

First structure of transporter enzyme family is solved

Researchers from Imperial College London and UCLA have visualized the structure of lactose permease, an enzyme in E. coli that pumps lactose into cells. The structure data reveals a possible mechanism of action for this protein family, which plays critical roles in depression, stroke, and diabetes.

Battle lasers

The US Navy is developing a powerful free-electron laser that can transmit infrared light for use in ship-defense systems. The laser has the capability of generating extremely short pulses, sub-picosecond pulses, and breaking records for tunable high-average power lasers.

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.

Traffic navigation systems linked to accident risk: Study

Researchers found that in-car traffic guidance systems cause a temporary increase in accident risk after drivers are informed of traffic congestion and change their routes. However, the accident risk drops significantly when safety measures such as route selection criteria are added to the system.

Eating peanuts helps keep heart healthy without weight gain

Research by Richard Mattes and Corinna Alper found that regular peanut consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease without causing significant weight gain. The study involved three trials where participants added peanuts to their diet, with no increase in body weight detected despite adding 500 calories a day.

Dengue infection more serious for elderly persons

A recent CDC study reveals that elderly individuals are at a higher risk of severe complications from dengue infection, including hospitalization and hemorrhagic fever. Clinicians must conduct thorough clinical examinations to avoid delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to further complications.

Hygiene is most potent force in tackling deadly diseases

A study by James Lloyd-Smith and colleagues found that hospital-wide infection controls are crucial in preventing disease transmission. The research highlights the importance of general infection control measures over specific precautions for known cases, particularly in developing countries where resources may be limited.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

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Enhancing the nutritional value of soybeans

Researchers have successfully expressed a variant of the maize anthranilate synthase (AS) gene in soybean seeds to increase tryptophan content. The modifications aim to improve the nutritional value of soybeans, but further testing is needed to confirm results.

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

Recent studies highlight the importance of addressing weight concerns without stigmatizing obese patients. The American Thoracic Society Journal reports on innovative approaches to weight loss treatment and sheds light on previously unexplored phenomena such as chimerism in human lung tissue after stem cell transplantation.

Museum mammal collection network to aid conservation and research

MaNIS improves access to natural history specimen data, facilitating conservation hotspot identification, ecosystem change monitoring, disease tracking, invasive species management, and biodiversity studies. The distributed database network provides researchers with millions of specimens' information online.

Hostility, depression may boost heart disease protein level

Researchers found a strong association between increased hostility and depressive symptoms and elevated IL-6 levels in healthy men. These findings suggest that psychological factors may contribute to the development of heart disease through inflammation. Further studies are underway to investigate this relationship in women.

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.

UCI resarchers create first living model to exhibit

Researchers have created a triple-transgenic mouse that exhibits both plaque and tangle lesions, allowing them to study the relationship between the two and develop drugs targeting both. This model could lead to a single class of drugs for treating both inherited and sporadic forms of Alzheimer's disease.

'Twinning' phenomenon found in nanocrystalline aluminum

Johns Hopkins researchers found deformation twinning in nanocrystalline aluminum, explaining how it deforms under high loads. This discovery will help build models to predict the performance of these materials in real-world devices.

Physics tip sheet #36 - July 30, 2003

Researchers at UCLA created a 30-cm diameter plasma laser by applying a nonuniform magnetic field. Meanwhile, scientists have made rapid advances in detecting dark matter using weak gravitational lensing experiments. A paper also examines the emerging behavior of complex systems in electronic bidding on online auction sites like eBay.

Protein: Getting to the meat of this essential element

The Binding Interface Database is an extensive, searchable internet site that brings together all known information on protein interactions. The database currently contains 245 interacting protein pairs and over 1,500 key interaction areas, providing a valuable resource for researchers to study complex biological systems.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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Coping: Plant adaptability to stress discovered

Researchers have identified a system in a mutant arabidopsis that signals cells to pause during stressful situations, allowing plants to regulate themselves and adjust before growth resumes. This discovery may lead to breeding plants with improved stress handling techniques and enhanced drought tolerance.

Newer vitamin D formulation appears to help dialysis patients live longer

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that paricalcitol, a newer vitamin D formulation, has a significant impact on improving survival rates among dialysis patients. The study showed a 16% better survival rate for patients taking paricalcitol compared to those taking calcitriol.

Gene helps regulate longevity in flies, and perhaps humans

A recent study by North Carolina State University researchers found that a gene variant in the Dopa decarboxylase enzyme is associated with variation in fruit fly lifespan. The study's results suggest that this genetic variation may also play a role in human longevity, with potential implications for pharmacological interventions to im...

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.

Adding more outside directors may worsen corporate fraud, deception

Researchers found that top managers skillfully manipulate director selection to create an image of board independence while retaining a supportive board that seldom challenges their decisions. The study suggests giving stockholders more direct representation on boards to prevent corporate fraud and deception.

Drug for bone loss triggers first known case of drug-induced osteopetrosis

A boy was diagnosed with acquired osteopetrosis after being given high doses of bisphosphonates to treat weak, painful bones. The condition results from excessive bone formation and can lead to fractures., Researchers emphasize the importance of carefully monitoring medications like bisphosphonates, especially in children.

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 enzyme helps guard against Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have found that the enzyme Pin1 plays a crucial role in protecting neurons from age-related degeneration and tangle formation in Alzheimer's patients. By understanding how Pin1 works, scientists hope to develop new therapies to prevent or slow down neurodegenerative processes.

Swimming can contribute to rebuilding bone strength

A study by Taiwanese researchers found that swimming exercises can improve bone density and mechanical properties in growing rats, similar to weight-bearing exercise. However, the benefits of non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming on long bone biomechanical properties were not significant.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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College smokers report feeling 'invulnerable' to tobacco's effects

A study of college smokers found that many reported feeling 'invulnerable' to the negative health effects of smoking, despite recognizing general risks. The survey also revealed that these smokers often underestimate their own personal risk and may not associate certain respiratory problems with smoking.