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Science News for June 24, 2003


Risk of eye injuries from airbags very low

A recent study analyzed data from two Finnish cohorts and found the risk of any type of eye injury caused by airbags to be very slight, only 2.5 percent. Open eye injuries were more likely to occur among eyeglass wearers, but those who did not wear eyeglasses were more likely to suffer from injuries caused by airbag chemicals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateJun 24, 2003

Standard operation procedure exacerbates liver cancer

A study by Te Velde found that the Pringle manoeuvre increases tumour growth and recurrence after liver surgery, reducing patient survival chances. Medicines preventing blood vessel regeneration can be combined with chemotherapy to control tumours.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJun 24, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Internal waves appear to have the muscle to pump up mid-lats

Researchers have calculated that internal waves can carry up to 50% of their original energy as they propagate through the ocean depths, with this energy directed towards mid-latitude areas. This finding has significant implications for understanding ocean mixing and its impact on global climate models.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateJun 24, 2003

Interactive cuddly toys

A study by Dr Lydia Plowman and Dr Rosemary Luckin found that young children can coordinate toy and screen interactions without confusion. However, the toys' limited ability to promote learning was noted, with children preferring human helpers over technology.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJun 24, 2003

New center for preparation and distribution of adult stem cells

The Tulane center will prepare and distribute a continuous supply of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) using standardized protocols, addressing the need for standard MSC preparations. The center's availability will allow scientists to better understand the capabilities of these cells for potential therapeutic uses.

SourceNIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)·DateJun 24, 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.

Development of prostate drug based on UT Southwestern research

A new study by UT Southwestern finds that finasteride effectively reduces prostate cancer risk and improves symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The drug, already used to treat BPH, works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is involved in prostate cancer development.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 24, 2003

'Mimics' may open screen(ing) door to GPCR drugs

Researchers develop soluble mimics of GPCRs to study their interactions with G-proteins, potentially leading to new drugs for various medical conditions. The technology could also be used to screen for drugs that block malfunctioning GPCRs.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Biotechnology Institute·DateJun 24, 2003

Computer simulations mimic growth of 'dizzy dendrites'

Researchers used computer simulations to study the effect of foreign particles on crystal growth patterns. They found that these particles produced unique 'dizzy dendrite' patterns that can be replicated using specific methods.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 24, 2003

American College of Sports Medicine honors expert who made sports safer

The American College of Sports Medicine honors Dr. Mueller, a renowned expert in athletic injury research, for his 35-year dedication to making sports safer. His work has led to significant rule changes, safety equipment updates, and a reduction in injuries and fatalities across various sports.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·DateJun 24, 2003
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Seizing the moment: improving control of quantum dots

Researchers from NIST and NREL develop a method to accurately measure the dipole moment of quantum dots, enabling optimization for various applications in quantum computing and quantum communications.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 24, 2003

By fusing images, Lehigh professor detects concealed weapons

A Lehigh University professor has developed a system that combines images from optical and millimeter-wave cameras to detect concealed weapons, which could save security guards seconds in the search process. The technology uses wireless communication links and has potential applications for law enforcement and military use.

SourceLehigh University·DateJun 24, 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.

Protrusions in oil paintings are a worldwide problem

Researchers discovered protrusions in oil paintings, composed of metal soaps, which form when paint layers contain lead and zinc. The phenomenon affects both panels and canvases, causing a bumpy surface texture, and can still be active in some cases.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJun 24, 2003

Rapid movements of living biomolecules visualised

Researcher Chris Molenaar developed a method to follow biomolecule movements in living cells, revealing interactions between proteins and RNA. The technique uses fluorescent probes and microscopy to visualize molecular mobility and interactions, providing insights into cell functioning.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJun 24, 2003

Many diabetics may not know they have kidney disease, study shows

Researchers found that 30% of diabetic patients with kidney disease do not exhibit common symptoms like protein in urine and eye disease. The current approach of screening for these symptoms alone is insufficient, and a blood test measuring kidney function directly is recommended.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA·DateJun 24, 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.

Problem-Based Learning Center at Wake Forest gets Hughes Grant

The Wake Forest Problem-Based Learning Center has received a $539,352 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support teacher professional development. The center's program, which uses problem-based learning to engage students in real-world science and math projects, has shown remarkable success, with 97% of tracked students ...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateJun 24, 2003

Ultrafast laser reveals details about slow electrons

Researchers used ultrafast light pulses to visualize the speed distribution of electrons in Rydberg atoms, revealing their wave-like behavior. This study provides new insights into the interaction between light and slow-moving electrons.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJun 24, 2003
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

New hope for children with eye tumors, cancer

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Hospital have successfully treated four pediatric patients with retinoblastoma using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem-cell transplantation. The study shows promising results, with two out of four patients surviving for over six years without disease recurrence.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateJun 24, 2003

Designing efficient cooling systems for the dog days of summer

The EVAP-COND software simulates the performance of evaporators and condensers with various cooling agents, enabling engineers to optimize designs. This tool helps conserve energy while reducing laboratory testing and design-to-production time.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateJun 24, 2003

Computer recognises differences in pronunciation of vowels

Researchers used acoustic measurements to recognize differences in vowel pronunciation among 160 Dutch and Flemish teachers. The study found that acoustic methods can map sociological differences in pronunciation with high accuracy, outperforming phonetic transcription methods which require manual expert analysis.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJun 24, 2003
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.

Isolation of ferret protein promising for cancer, reproductive studies

A ferret protein called glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) plays a key role in the reproductive process, allowing fertilized embryos to implant successfully. The discovery also sheds light on the mechanism of cancer cells, which can co-opt this process to invade healthy tissues.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2003

MRI successfully gauges breast cancer treatment response

Contrast-enhanced MRI is a reliable method to measure blood flow to tumors, allowing for accurate assessment of chemotherapy response and tumor viability. The study found that patients who responded to treatment had significant decreases in angiogenesis, while non-responders showed increases.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateJun 24, 2003

New instrument tests the metal of WTC steel

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a new instrument to study the metal of World Trade Center (WTC) steel. The apparatus rapidly compresses and heats samples at extremely high temperatures, helping to improve understanding of how steel responds under stress.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateJun 24, 2003
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.