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Science News for June 18, 2003


Hybrid SUV takes second place in FutureTruck competition

The UC Davis entry, 'Yosemite', a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, achieved fuel economy of about 30 miles per gallon with similar performance to a standard Ford Explorer SUV. The team won the competition in 2001 and subsequent awards for Best Dynamic Handling and telematics.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateJun 18, 2003

How plants get made in the shade

Researchers at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies identified a distinct shade-avoidance syndrome signaling pathway in plants. This discovery could lead to improved crop yields by delaying premature flowering under shaded conditions.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 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.

Artificial organ research findings presented by University of Pittsburgh researchers

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine have made significant strides in growing functioning liver tissue in a bioreactor, keeping patients with liver failure alive until donor organs become available. Additionally, studies on tissue-engineered materials show promise as a treatment for ...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·DateJun 18, 2003

Berkeley lab physicist challenges speed of gravity claim

A scientist at Berkeley Lab has re-examined the 2002 experiment claiming to measure the speed of gravity and found that it was based on a flawed assumption. The correct formula yields effects significantly smaller than initially thought, making measurement with current technology impractical.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 18, 2003

Adolescents are neurologically more vulnerable to addictions

Researchers at Yale University found that adolescents are more vulnerable to addictions due to brain development changes. Brain circuits involved in motivation and addiction undergo rapid changes during adolescence, leading to impulsive behaviors and increased risk of substance abuse.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJun 18, 2003
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Making nanodots useful for chemistry

Germanium nanoclusters can now be coated with polymers, making them stable enough to be processed as plastics. This innovation expands the possible uses of semiconductor nanoparticles, including potential applications in displays and tiny building blocks.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateJun 18, 2003

Cosmological gamma-ray bursts and hypernovae conclusively linked

The ESO team has provided conclusive evidence linking cosmological gamma-ray bursts to hypernova explosions, suggesting a direct connection between the two events. The study uses unprecedented spectral data from the VLT KUEYEN telescope to determine the distance of the burst as approximately 2,650 million light-years.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 2003

First-ever images of developing dengue virus obtained at Purdue

Researchers at Purdue University have obtained the first-ever images of a developing dengue virus, revealing a complex developmental process that could lead to the discovery of new antiviral medicines. The immature particle is covered with protein spikes that flatten out as it matures into the infectious dengue virus.

SourcePurdue University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJun 18, 2003

Experts bristle at toothbrush misuse

A recent study found that increasing brushing time and pressure beyond a certain point does not improve plaque removal, but may increase the risk of oral health issues. The researchers emphasize the importance of proper technique and accurate pressure application to avoid harm.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateJun 18, 2003

World's largest solar adaptive optics system developed in New Mexico

The new AO76 system, developed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in New Mexico, produces sharper images under worse seeing conditions than the previous AO24 system. This allows existing solar telescopes to produce higher resolution images and greatly improve their scientific output.

SourceNational Optical Astronomy Observatory·DateJun 18, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Movement brings computer images to life

Researchers have developed a new method called kinetic visualization that uses colored dots and motion to present three-dimensional scientific or medical data. This technique allows computers to display data in a different way, providing shape information and attracting attention to important areas.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateJun 18, 2003

UCI biologist proposes trimming some branches

Francisco Ayala and Camilo J. Cela-Conde propose trimming the human evolutionary tree from seven branches to four, including a new branch Praeanthropus. This simplification aims to provide a clearer overview of human evolution.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2003

DNA unwinding protein runs on two motors

Researchers have discovered that the DNA unwinding protein RecBCD uses two motors to move along the DNA, one from 3' to 5' and another from 5' to 3'. This allows the complex to travel long distances before stopping or getting derailed.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 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.

Experimental imaging technique details spread of prostate cancer

A new experimental imaging technique has been developed to detect prostate cancer metastases in abdominal lymph nodes. The technique uses advanced high-resolution MR imaging, computerized image analysis, and a novel contrast agent to identify malignant nodes with high accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 18, 2003

Study provides new tool to diagnose and halt aggressive blood disorder

A new study has identified a special type of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) that can be diagnosed with a tryptase blood test and treated successfully with imatinib. The disease, characterized by an overabundance of white blood cells called eosinophils, can cause severe organ damage and is often fatal.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJun 18, 2003

Rumors of male chromosome’s demise greatly exaggerated, study finds

Researchers found that the Y chromosome contains about 78 genes and has a unique gene repair technique that allows it to preserve critical genes without sexual recombination. This discovery challenges the widely held notion of the Y's 'rotting' nature over the next 5 million years.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 2003

Bellingham, Wash., teacher wins top award for chemistry teaching

Beardsley's dedication to innovative teaching methods and extracurricular programs has significantly impacted her students' enthusiasm for chemistry. Her achievements have been acknowledged by the American Chemical Society, which presents its High School Chemistry Teaching Award annually.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateJun 18, 2003
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Donor cells from new source ignored by the immune system

Kansas State University researchers successfully transplanted umbilical cord matrix stem cells from a pig into the brain of a live rat without triggering an immune response. The recipient cells survived for over six weeks and began to differentiate into nervous system cells, suggesting a new therapeutic option for Parkinson's disease.

SourceKansas State University·JournalExperimental Neurology·DateJun 18, 2003

Researchers discover use of novel mechanism preserves Y chromosome genes

A study found that the Y chromosome uses a unique gene conversion mechanism to preserve its genetic integrity, allowing it to maintain functioning genes important for male fertility. The discovery was made possible by high-quality DNA sequences from the Human Genome Project.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 2003