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Science News Archive July 2003


Page 9 of 9

Embryonic hope for damaged spines

Researchers have successfully treated rats with spinal cord injuries using embryonic stem cells, which can potentially treat paralysis and degenerative nerve diseases. The treated rats regained ability to walk after nine weeks, with analysis revealing new myelin sheaths and growth factors that stimulated neuron formation.

Invading species have tough time cracking diverse neighborhood

Researchers found that introduced plants from different guilds struggled to establish themselves in plots with high species richness. The presence of warm-season grasses had a strong inhibitory effect on invaders from all four guilds, suggesting they offer stiff competition for resources.

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.

Kids' gardens grow interest in science, nutrition

A recent study by Texas Cooperative Extension found that kids' gardening programs increase a child's interest in science and nutrition. The program, Junior Master Gardener (JMG), was developed to teach horticulture skills while promoting healthy eating habits.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

New technique helps solve mystery of ancient figurines

Researchers at University of Illinois used PIMA technology to identify source and meaning of 'spectacular late prehistoric' figurines found in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The artifacts were likely produced by Cahokia's artisans during an artistic explosion in the 12th century.

Europe’s healthcare systems supports trend for quality and quantity in ART

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology report shows a trend of increasing availability and efficacy of ART treatments in Europe, with Denmark leading the way in terms of fertility treatment accessibility. The report also highlights declining numbers of embryos transferred per cycle, reducing multiple pregnancies.

Leaf fall in ancient polar forests still a mystery

Researchers tested ancient tree species to disprove the carbon loss hypothesis, which suggested deciduous trees had an advantage in polar forests. The study found that deciduous trees actually lose more carbon than evergreen trees, challenging the long-held theory.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Electric vehicles promise economic benefits in the billions

A recent study by Rochester Institute of Technology finds that electric vehicles could generate a GDP impact of around $40 billion annually, reducing trade deficits and increasing labor productivity. The study predicts a future transportation sector dominated by electric drive vehicles, leading to significant economic benefits.

Human genes can predict AIDS progression rate

A new study published in Nature Medicine has found that certain human genes can predict the progression rate of AIDS in infected individuals. The researchers analyzed data from a large group of homosexual men with HIV and found that those with specific HLA protein types were more likely to succumb to the disease quickly.

U. Iowa study adds to understanding of salt-taste

Researchers at U. Iowa identified two ion channel genes that detect low salt concentrations in fruit flies, a model organism for studying human salt-sensing mechanisms. Disrupting these genes impaired the ability of young flies to detect low salt, highlighting their role in the detection of salt.

Habitat loss and reserve network selection

A novel method integrates habitat modelling and spatial population dynamics in reserve-network design to consider the impact of habitat loss on species survival. This approach represents a step towards more realistic consideration of species survival when selecting reserve networks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.