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Science News for March 5, 2003


Receptor could be target for cancer therapy

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers found that blocking the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP2 may restore the immune system's ability to kill tumors. In mouse models, tumors grew smaller and mice survived longer when the EP2 receptor was absent.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 5, 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.

Cocaine use may alter brain cells, play role in depression

Researchers found cocaine users had lower dopamine and VMAT2 levels in their brains compared to non-users. Additionally, depressed cocaine users had lower VMAT2 levels than those without depression.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 5, 2003

Target for new lung cancer therapy found in embryonic cell pathway

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a primitive cellular pathway, Sonic Hedgehog, that stays active in some lung cancers. The pathway's activation leads to excessive cell growth and cancer. Researchers are testing drugs on mice and plan to explore human clinical trials in the future.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateMar 5, 2003

Women who abuse drugs are at high risk for serious injury or trauma

A study of chronic drug users in Miami-Dade County found that 67% of women reported having a serious injury or traumatic event sometime in their life. The prevalence of such events was higher among women who abused drugs than those who did not, although treatment rates were similar.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalMedical Care·DateMar 5, 2003
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

UC Riverside biochemists develop technology to increase Vitamin C in plants

Researchers increase vitamin C content in plants by introducing a gene that boosts the enzyme responsible for recycling vitamin C. The technology could provide an important means of increasing vitamin C levels in crops, improving nutrition and public health.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2003

Alaska oil and gas exploration good and bad for area life

The study found that roads, damage to tundra, and animal population decline are significant concerns. The report concludes that a balance must be reached between economic development and environmental protection in the North Slope region.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2003

Thalassemia program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia awarded federal grant

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been awarded a federal grant to monitor the nation's blood supply for new infectious agents, particularly relevant for thalassemia patients who require frequent blood transfusions. The program will also expand its efforts to identify new patients with thalassemia and provide comprehensive ser...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·DateMar 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.

Rationale for public support of scientific research shifts

The US government has struggled to allocate resources effectively, with basic science being funded without practical ends. New criteria aim to prioritize fields based on their contributions to related areas, with peer review and economic evaluations playing a crucial role in the process.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·DateMar 5, 2003

Major study shows aspirin can cut polyp return in GI cancer patients

A major study shows that taking 325 milligrams of aspirin daily can reduce the risk of developing polyps in the colon by 35%, a significant step towards preventing colorectal cancer. The study involved over 100 medical centers and clinics across the US, with patients who had previously suffered from colorectal cancer.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 5, 2003

In Health Affairs interview, Breaux outlines plan to cover uninsured

Breaux proposes extending coverage to all Americans through a basic health insurance plan with premium subsidies for low-income families. He also hopes the Senate will debate competitive Medicare modernization proposals, citing increased chances of passage due to Sen. Bill Frist's elevation to majority leader.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 5, 2003

Study links ecstasy use with changes in cardiovascular function

Researchers found that MDMA use can alter cardiovascular function and produce toxic inflammation in the heart. Chronic MDMA binge pattern was shown to change heart rate and blood pressure responses, similar to a vasovagal reflex, increasing risk of cardiovascular damage.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·DateMar 5, 2003

Daily aspirin lowers colorectal cancer risk

A daily aspirin regimen was found to significantly reduce the occurrence of pre-cancerous polyps in patients with a history of colorectal cancer, lowering their risk by about one-third. Aspirin's protective effect also prevented the development of new adenomas and reduced the number of existing polyps.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 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.

An aspirin a day may keep colon cancer away, Dartmouth researchers find

A randomized, double-blind study of over 1100 patients found that low-dose aspirin reduced the incidence of polyps by 19% and advanced lesions by more than 40%. Regular aspirin tablets also showed significant reductions in adenoma occurrence.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 5, 2003

Changes in the Earth's rotation are in the wind

Changes in atmospheric pressure and wind patterns cause forces that act on the solid Earth, leading to slight slowdowns in Earth's rotation during El Niño years. This effect is tied to the law of conservation of angular momentum, which connects the Earth's rotation rate with its overall mass.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 5, 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.

Aspirin prevents polyps in colon cancer patients

A large randomized trial found that daily aspirin use reduced the incidence of adenomas and prolonged time to appearance in colon cancer patients, offering strong evidence for its protective properties.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 5, 2003

Stimulant treatment of children with ADHD reduces subsequent substance abuse

A recent study published in Pediatrics found that treating children with ADHD with stimulants significantly reduces the risk of developing a substance use disorder. The researchers analyzed data from six long-term studies and found a two-fold reduction in SUD risks among treated youths compared to untreated peers.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 5, 2003