Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 1, 2003


1st successful national CQI intervention in medicine reported

A low-intensity CQI intervention successfully increased the use of preoperative beta-blocker therapy and IMA grafting in elderly patients, achieving significant overall effect and positive trends. The study demonstrates a Medical Specialty Society CQI Platform as a model for rapid translation of evidence into practice.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJAMA·DateJul 1, 2003

Chemotherapy may suppress breast cancer risk in Hodgkin’s survivors

Women treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy had a 61% lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who received only radiation. The authors suggest that ovarian hormones play a role in promoting tumor growth after radiation, which may explain the increased breast cancer risk in young women exposed to radiation.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 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.

JCI table of contents, July 1 2003

A study published in JCI finds that PlGF-1 prevents oxygen-induced retinal vascular degeneration in retinopathy of prematurity, suggesting a potential therapeutic agent for the condition. Additionally, researchers identify Fgl2/fibroleukin as a critical prothrombinase involved in the pathophysiology of viral hepatitis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 1, 2003

Credit-conscious college students tend to own most cards

A study by Penn State researchers found that high-credit-consciousness college students owned more credit cards, carrying an average balance of $686 per month. These students also showed lower levels of personal responsibility, blaming external factors for their lives instead of taking control.

SourcePenn State·DateJul 1, 2003

UCLA-led study challenges bipolar depression treatment guidelines

A UCLA-led study found that individuals with bipolar depression who continued taking antidepressants in conjunction with mood stabilizer medication after remission had a lower risk of depression relapse. The study's lead author, Dr. Lori Altshuler, suggests guidelines similar to those for unipolar depression may be more effective.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 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.

Gene mutation predicts outcome for lung cancer patients

Researchers found that the p53 gene plays a crucial role in distinguishing which lung cancer patients are most likely to survive four years or more. The study identified a sub-group of early-stage lung cancer patients without p53 mutations who had a significantly higher survival rate, providing hope for a new treatment approach.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 1, 2003

Muslims embrace brave new world of IVF

IVF adoption is more accessible in Middle Eastern Muslim countries due to Islamic fatwa declarations. Shi'ite Muslims are permitted to use donor egg and sperm technologies, whereas Sunni Muslims are restricted, leading some men to reassess their marriages.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 1, 2003

Salk scientists identify pathway that determines when plants flower

Researchers discovered a specific protein, PFT1, that triggers flowering in Arabidopsis plants under suboptimal light conditions. The study's findings have implications for improving crop yield and addressing world hunger, particularly in regions where malnutrition is prevalent.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 1, 2003

Air dried sperm could allow home storage

A new air-drying technique allows stored sperm to be transported without special equipment, relieving laboratories of sperm care. This method also reduces the risk of HIV transmission and gives owners more control over disposal decisions.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 1, 2003
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.

NASA experiments validate 50-year-old hypothesis

Researchers used NASA's Electrostatic Levitator to prove a 50-year-old hypothesis on nucleation, a process crucial for materials and biological systems. The study showed that liquid metals resist turning into solids due to an atomic 'nucleation barrier', a fundamental mismatch in atom arrangement.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center News Center·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 1, 2003

Mediterranean fishery recovers, thanks to manmade pollutants

The Egyptian Mediterranean Sea fishery has recovered due to increased phosphorus and nitrogen in urban waste water, changing the ecosystem's productive engine. This shift has important consequences for lower food web structure and larval fish.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalAMBIO·DateJul 1, 2003

First steps to EMBO research awards agreed by the EMBC

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and EMBO have agreed on a framework for cooperation, paving the way for formal agreements among member states. This development is expected to strengthen bioscience research in Europe, with the aim of supporting innovative projects and promoting collaboration.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·DateJul 1, 2003

Translate this!

Researchers at USC's Information Sciences Institute built a state-of-the-art machine translation system for Hindi in less than a month, achieving all aspects of the DARPA's 'Surprise Language' project. The system uses statistical models to find the most likely translations and can query Hindi databases using English questions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateJul 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.

Fibroleukin at fault in viral hepatitis

Researchers found that fibroleukin is a prothrombinase that contributes to the development of thrombosis in viral hepatitis. The study suggests a potential link between fibroleukin and the progression of viral hepatitis, highlighting the importance of further investigation into this area.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 1, 2003

Prophylactic surgery greatly reduces cancer risk, but by how much is unclear

Studies on prophylactic surgery for women with BRCA1/2 mutations show a significant reduction in breast and ovarian cancer risk. However, potential biases in study designs, such as confounding by indication and familial-event bias, may lead to underestimation of risk reduction.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 1, 2003

Standard depression treatments found effective for low-income minority women

Researchers at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Georgetown University Medical Center found medication and cognitive behavioral therapy effective in treating depression among low-income minority women. Sixty percent of participants were at or below federal poverty guidelines, with many experiencing abuse and domestic violence.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJAMA·DateJul 1, 2003

Risk of ectopic pregnancies after IVF declines with age in women with tubal disease

A study by Elizabeth Asung found that the risk of ectopic pregnancies after IVF-ET decreases with age in women with tubal disease. This is a surprising finding, as the risk typically increases with age in the general population. The study analyzed data from 97,240 women aged 18-50 who underwent IVF between 1991 and 1999.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 1, 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.

Seed dormancy may hold the key to fighting weeds

Scientists investigate rice genome for clues on seed dormancy, a key trait to fight preharvest sprouting. They develop populations segregating for dormancy and identify genetic attributes associated with heritability.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJul 1, 2003

Cancer researchers describe new class of angiogenesis proteins

Scientists have identified a new class of proteins that promote angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. Del-1 protein, discovered four years ago, has been found to be stable and continually stimulate angiogenesis. The researchers hope to use this knowledge to develop therapies that can inhibit angiogenesis in cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 1, 2003

Circadian influence in plants more widespread than previously thought

Researchers found new regions of the genome under circadian control using a technique called gene trapping, contradicting accepted dogma. The study suggests that clock-controlled mRNA synthesis may be more common than previously estimated, potentially leading to improved crop productivity and resistance to stressful conditions.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateJul 1, 2003

Protecting vessel loss in the eyes of premature infants

Researchers discover PlGF-1 stabilizes vessel growth in premature infants, preventing retinal detachment and blindness. The study suggests a promising therapeutic agent to prevent oxygen-induced vascular degeneration in ROP.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 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.

NIMH awards $22.6 million for Center for Collaborative Research on Mental Disorders

The NIMH has awarded $22.6 million to a new Center for Collaborative Research on Mental Disorders, aiming to advance understanding of genetic origins of mental health conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. The center will facilitate data sharing and analysis to accelerate gene discovery and develop novel therapeutic targets.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateJul 1, 2003

Other highlights of the July 2 JNCI

Researchers found that high zinc intake was associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer, but not with lower doses. The studies also failed to find evidence of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma samples.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 1, 2003

Standard depression treatments found effective for low-income minority women

Researchers found that medication and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) treatments significantly alleviated symptoms of depression in young Latinas and African-American women. The study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, confirmed that standard treatments can be effective for low-income minority women.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateJul 1, 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.

Medication and psychotherapy treat depression

A new study finds that pairing medication with intensive outreach and encouragement significantly reduces depressive symptoms and improves daily functioning among low-income, minority women. The treatment approach was most effective for this population compared to traditional care.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalJAMA·DateJul 1, 2003