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Science News for July 15, 2003


First descriptions of Indiana bat maternity roosts in the southern US

Researchers from USDA Forest Service and Tennessee Technological University provide the first descriptions of Indiana bat maternity habitats in the southeastern United States. The study reveals that female bats form colonies under coniferous trees, expanding the known habitat range of the endangered species.

SourceUSDA Forest Service ‑ Southern Research Station·DateJul 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.

Other highlights of the July 16 JNCI

Research highlights the link between high animal fat intake and increased breast cancer risk, as well as the benefits of gynecologic surgeries in reducing ovarian cancer risk. Protein overexpression is also linked to esophageal cancer development, suggesting a potential target for prevention.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 15, 2003

Polymorphisms may contribute to variations in PSA levels

Research identifies three SNPs in PSA gene promoter that increase serum PSA levels, suggesting genotyping may improve prostate cancer detection sensitivity. The findings suggest a lower cutoff value for PSA testing for men with reduced PSA promoter genotype.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 15, 2003

Study suggests HPV16 can skirt the immune system

Researchers found that HPV16 is less associated with immune status than other HPV types, suggesting it can skirt the immune system. This discovery raises hypotheses about why cervical cancer rates are only moderately increased in HIV/AIDS-affected women.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 15, 2003
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.

An aspirin a day keeps Staphylococcus aureus away

Treatment with salicylic acid (SAL) induces activation of the S. aureus stress response gene sigB, downregulating virulence factors and reducing ability to adhere to host cells. This finding represents a new prospect for using aspirin as an adjunct therapy to combat Staphylococcus aureus infections.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 15, 2003

Epitope plays a key role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis

A study by Yamamoto and colleagues found that the SLAYGLR sequence of osteopontin facilitates monocyte migration to arthritic joints, leading to inflammation and arthritis suppression. The findings support a critical role for osteopontin in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 15, 2003

Rutgers scientists post a genetic road map to sources of disease

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a genetic road map that identifies sources of disease by analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The map, which is the first of its kind, provides detailed information on gene interactions and will enable scientists to conduct large-scale genotyping with greater efficiency.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJul 15, 2003

JCI table of contents, July 15, 2003

Salicylic acid has been shown to downregulate two key genes in Staphylococcus aureus, leading to reduced virulence and ability to adhere to host cells. Meanwhile, osteopontin has been found to play a critical role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis by facilitating cell adhesion and immune response modulation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 15, 2003

Anti-HIV statisticians win $1.125 million NIH Merit Award

NC State statisticians Drs. Anastasios Tsiatis, Marie Davidian and Marc Genton have won a $1.125 million NIH MERIT Award for their work on statistical methodology in designing complex HIV clinical trials. Their research aims to develop sophisticated designs that can handle the variability of patients' responses to treatment.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateJul 15, 2003
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.

Obese mice provide clues to a natural system that puts brakes on obesity

Researchers have identified a gene called Foxa-2 that is switched on only in the fat cells of obese mice. This gene acts as a brake to slow down further fat production and storage. In pre-adipocytes, Foxa-2 activates genes important for insulin sensitivity, providing an ideal combination for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 15, 2003

Emory scientists find anti-tumor compounds in magnolia cones

Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center have identified honokiol, a compound found in magnolia cones, as a potent inhibitor of tumor growth. Honokiol reduces endothelial cell growth and inhibits angiogenesis, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 15, 2003
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Attitudes to cannabis are more tolerant

A recent study found that while opinions on cannabis are more liberal, attitudes towards other drugs like heroin and ecstasy remain strong. Most people support prescribing cannabis for medical purposes, but strict laws still apply to these substances.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJul 15, 2003

Researchers zero in on new drug combination strategy

Scientists identify several novel pairings with significant therapeutic promise, including a combination that kills drug-resistant yeast while harming human cells. The approach uses high-throughput screens to rapidly identify synergistic combinations that produce desired therapeutic effects.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 15, 2003

Genetics a factor in PSA levels

A new study identified three genetic variants associated with a 30% increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The discovery could lead to more accurate testing and fewer unnecessary biopsies, particularly for black men who are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 15, 2003

Rethinking how the brain sees visual features

Duke University researchers found that individual clusters in the visual cortex do not specialize in recognizing specific combinations of stimulus features. Instead, they respond to a broad range of stimulus combinations predicted by spatial and temporal properties of the visual stimulus.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateJul 15, 2003

Australian cyber soldiers to boost British defence forces

A University of Melbourne postdoctoral student will develop computer software agents for Britain's Ministry of Defence to model real human behaviour. The agents will aim to inject life-like behaviour into computer-generated forces, improving training and analysis.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·DateJul 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.

Icebound Antarctic telescope delivers first neutrino sky map

The AMANDA II Telescope has produced the first neutrino sky map, revealing tantalizing glimpses of high-energy neutrinos and their potential origins. The preliminary map represents one year of data, with future analysis expected to define the structure of the sky and confirm or disprove signals.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·DateJul 15, 2003

Yale researchers identify two types of childhood reading disability

The study reveals that compensated poor readers have disrupted neural systems for reading, while persistently poor readers have intact but underactivated circuitry. Early interventions aimed at stimulating word-sound and word-meaning skills may benefit disadvantaged children.

SourceYale University·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 15, 2003

Stem cells found to home toward the injured liver

Researchers have discovered that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) migrate selectively to injured liver tissue through the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4. This selective homing mechanism may serve as a target for future therapeutic protocols to improve liver regeneration and transplantation outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 15, 2003

UCSD researchers find brain overgrowth during first year of life in autism

Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine and Children's Hospital found rapid brain growth in infants with autism, linked to early diagnosis and improved outcomes. The study identified a window of abnormal brain development, predicting the severity of autism, and suggests earlier interventions could improve treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA·DateJul 15, 2003

'Video Doctor,' personalized feedback device, is always in

The video doctor program uses a computer-based multimedia approach to provide personalized advice on reducing smoking and alcohol use. Patients who interacted with the video doctor showed positive responses, but still preferred consultation with real doctors.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalHealth Promotion Practice·DateJul 15, 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.

Black holes and galaxies -- Missing link discovered in our own backyard

A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery linking black hole growth to galaxy evolution. The study found that more than 20,000 galaxies contain growing black holes, mostly in massive galaxies with recent star formation. As the rate of black hole growth increases, so does the amount of recent star formation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·DateJul 15, 2003