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Science News for June 5, 2003


Twice as many predicted genes in 'finished' rice chromosome

The study predicts about 3,500 genes on Chromosome 10, with a modular structure featuring a long arm rich in genes and a short arm with relatively few genes. The analysis also found matches for about two-thirds of the proteins encoded by the chromosome with those encoded by Arabidopsis thaliana.

SourceThe Institute for Genomic Research·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

Heart drug might help fight chronic fungal infections

Researchers found that combining amiodarone with antifungal agents miconazole and fluconazole kills more fungi than expected, making it a promising treatment for severe fungal infections. The unique mechanism of action disrupts calcium balance in fungal cells, leading to their death.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 5, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists find the root of learning in the brain’s hippocampus

A research team at NYU has identified cells in the hippocampus that signal new memory formation, shedding light on how associations are formed in the brain. The discovery is a major breakthrough in understanding the brain basis of memory and could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

SourceNew York University·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

May Anatahan volcanic eruption receives emergency research funding

Researchers deployed to Anatahan island to collect samples of gas, ash, pumice, and lava to study the early emissions and gases from the volcano. The samples will help determine the hazards of this eruption and provide critical clues about the possible behavior of Anatahan over the next few weeks and months.

SourceColumbia Climate School·DateJun 5, 2003

Odyssey thermal data reveals a changing Mars

Researchers have discovered kilometer-wide stretches of bare bedrock, exposing strong environmental forces that scour the surface. The data also reveals common accumulations of loose rock on martian hillsides, indicating recent weathering processes. These findings suggest a dynamic Mars with active geological features.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

Rutgers researchers offer new theories about memory

Researchers Mark Gluck, Catherine Myers, and Martijn Meeter propose a novel interpretation of how the brain organizes sensory input into memories. They suggest that the entorhinal cortex handles incremental learning, while the hippocampus stores episodic memory.

SourceRutgers University·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateJun 5, 2003

Optical Society of America honors UCF researcher with top award

George Stegman has been awarded the R. W. Wood Prize by the Optical Society of America for his groundbreaking research in nonlinear integrated optics. This technology enables fast and efficient data transfer, potentially revolutionizing fields like medicine and computing.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateJun 5, 2003
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.

The more things change, the more marriages stay the same

Despite minimal changes in marital happiness and divorce rates, researchers found a decline in shared activities among couples. Equalitarian marriages have a positive impact on marital quality, while cohabitation before marriage leads to lower marital satisfaction.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJun 5, 2003

Going with the grain: A tale of rice's smallest chromosome

Researchers have completed a 'finished' sequence of rice's smallest chromosome, revealing twice as many genes as initially predicted. The detailed genome map shows significant similarities to other grains like sorghum and maize, providing valuable insights into the genetics of plant biology.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 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.

Rutgers research takes aim at world hunger

The team has produced a complete and accurate rice genome sequence, which will help improve crop yields and feed the world's population. The achievement is made possible by Rutgers' participation in Reinvest in Rutgers program, funded by the state of New Jersey.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

Charcoal-a low-cost option to treat oleander poisoning

Researchers found that multiple-dose activated charcoal significantly reduced deaths in patients with oleander poisoning compared to placebo. The treatment also decreased the need for cardiac pacing and intensive care. Charcoal may be useful in treating other cardiac glycoside poisonings as well.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 5, 2003

Myosin molecule walks like a person, experiment shows

Researchers developed single-molecule imaging technique to measure myosin movement, finding it 'walks' in a fashion similar to humans. The study used this technique to determine that myosin V's step size is consistent with a hand-over-hand walking mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

Sepsis could be underestimated in new-born babies

Early-onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) infection affects one in 1000 newborns, but diagnostic tests often yield false-negative results. A new study suggests that active surveillance and alternative diagnostic methods could improve accurate diagnosis and prevention of this potentially deadly disease.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 5, 2003
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.

Global garden grows greener

A comprehensive NASA study found that climatic changes have led to increased plant growth globally over the last two decades. The research, published in Science magazine, attributes the increases primarily to climate change, with lesser contributions from carbon dioxide fertilization and forest regrowth.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

Monkey's memory cells caught in the act of learning

Researchers monitored activity of individual neurons in monkeys' brains as they learned new associations through a computer game. The study identified 'changing cells' whose neural activity paralleled learning, suggesting a gradual recruitment of hippocampal neurons involved in memory formation and long-term storage.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 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.

First effective drug for sleep disorder identified

A groundbreaking study has identified mirtazapine as a highly effective treatment for sleep apnea, significantly reducing symptoms and improving breathing patterns. The medication, already approved for depression, showed the largest benefit and most consistent improvement of any pharmaceutical therapy in controlled studies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateJun 5, 2003

Who will take responsibility for corporate killing?

The UK Government's proposed law on corporate killing aims to make companies financially accountable for their actions. However, the editorial criticizes this approach, arguing that it fails to hold individual directors directly responsible for decisions leading to injury.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 5, 2003

Powerful nutritional supplement synthesized in lab at UCSB

Bruce Lipshutz's patented method uses transition metal catalysts to produce CoQ10 efficiently, targeting cancer, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. The process reduces costs by using inexpensive ingredients and minimizing production steps.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateJun 5, 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.

Direction of another's gaze influences how you perceive emotion

A recent study published in Science found that the direction of another's gaze significantly affects how we perceive emotions. When viewing pictures of angry or fearful expressions, brain activity increases in the amygdala when the person is looking away or not making direct eye contact.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

Study suggests cause for restless leg syndrome

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered a possible explanation for restless leg syndrome, finding that brain cells lacking enough iron may cause misfiring of neural signals. This discovery establishes RLS as a sensory motor disorder rather than a psychological one, offering hope for future treatments.

SourcePenn State·DateJun 5, 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.

Failing to meet HIV prevention goals could cost nation $18 billion

Failure to meet HIV prevention goals may result in significant financial losses. The CDC's national goal of reducing new infections by 50% might not be met by 2005, leading to an estimated $18 billion in incurred net medical costs between now and 2010.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateJun 5, 2003