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Science News for May 12, 2003


Drug-naive schizophrenia: The dopamine connection

Research supports the hypothesis that mesocortical dopamine function is impaired in schizophrenia, with decreased D2/3 receptor density associated with negative and general psychopathological symptoms. Age was also negatively correlated with D2/3 receptor density among controls.

SourceMolecular Psychiatry·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMay 12, 2003

Concerns over peanut allergy

The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a comprehensive review of peanut allergy prevalence, highlighting its severity and early onset. Self-injectable epinephrine remains a cornerstone of peanut allergy management, while new therapies are being developed to address this condition.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 12, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Setting boundaries between work and life helps families thrive

Research by Ellen Kossek found that separating work from family obligations leads to less work and family conflict, allowing for more quality time with family. Establishing boundaries can improve employee happiness and reduce the risk of work taking over personal life.

SourceMichigan State University·DateMay 12, 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.

Epilepsy in developing countries often left untreated

A Chinese study found nearly 50% higher lifetime prevalence of epilepsy and a 30% higher treatment gap than estimated, with 41% of cases never receiving proper treatment. Successful treatment of 60-70% of cases could benefit China's economy.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 12, 2003

Doctors find patient relationships highlight of profession

A study by Indiana University researchers found that building strong relationships with patients is what brings meaning and fulfillment to a doctor's work. The study highlighted the importance of connection in setting that brings doctors back to their profession despite the challenges of the business of healthcare.

SourceIndiana University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 12, 2003

Protein mimetics could lead to more successful coronary bypasses

Researchers have created a protein mimetic that induces relaxation in smooth muscle cells by adding a phosphate group, making it effective for treating conditions like coronary artery disease. The mimetic is promising for promoting blood vessel relaxation and could lead to more successful coronary bypass surgeries.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMay 12, 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.

Gene that controls susceptibility to tuberculosis discovered

Researchers have identified a gene variant, Trl-4, that controls Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in the lung, which may lead to innovative prevention and treatment strategies. The discovery sheds light on why some infected individuals are able to fight off the infection while others succumb to the disease.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2003

Online classes provide better way to teach global education, researcher says

A recent study by Merryfield found that online classes allow for more interactive and thoughtful discussions, promoting cross-cultural interaction and equal participation among students. Online classes also enable teachers to access diverse perspectives and resources, making them a valuable tool for teaching global education.

SourceOhio State University·DateMay 12, 2003

Should Memphis build for California's earthquakes?

A new study by Northwestern University suggests Memphis should consider California-style earthquake building codes, but experts argue the costs would be too high. The proposed code could cut earthquake damage in half, but would increase construction costs by 10-33% and have significant economic impacts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalEos·DateMay 12, 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.

Two genes found to influence anorexia nervosa

Researchers found two genes, HTR1D and OPRD1, associated with anorexia nervosa in the 1p33-36 linkage region. These genes regulate behaviors including eating and anxiety, and individuals carrying specific alleles for developing anorexia nervosa are at increased risk.

SourceMolecular Psychiatry·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMay 12, 2003

New sensor bares faults in smallest possible, most advanced circuits

A new scanning microscope developed at Brown University can uncover defects in the smallest and most complex integrated circuits. The device visualizes electrical current flow within wires, even those buried under advanced materials, allowing for non-invasive detection of faults.

SourceBrown University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 12, 2003

Reduced daily eye patching effectively treats 'lazy eye'

A new study finds that wearing an eye patch for just two hours a day is as effective as six hours in treating moderate amblyopia in children. Children with this condition, which affects 3% of US kids, showed significant improvement in vision after four months of treatment.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateMay 12, 2003
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.

Less death on British roads thanks to medical advances says new study

A new study by Imperial College London reveals that improvements in medical technology and care have significantly contributed to the decline in traffic-related fatalities in the UK. The research found that advancements in areas like genetics, body imaging, and microsurgery have saved an estimated 700 lives annually.

SourceImperial College London·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateMay 12, 2003

Does TV turn people off politics?

Research reveals that news media rarely references public opinion through polls, surveys, or demonstrations, instead relying on inferences and citizen experiences. This model of citizenship may be contributing to declining voter turnout and disengagement with politics.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 12, 2003

Fetus heart races when mom reads poetry

A recent study published in Psychological Science reveals that fetuses can recognize their mother's voice before birth and prefer it after delivery. The research found that fetuses responded differently to their own mother's voice versus a stranger's, suggesting they were learning about language in the womb.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 12, 2003

For best results, stick to one search engine

Researchers found that removing query operators from searches on multiple engines resulted in similar top-ranked results. The 'or' operator was the only marker to significantly change results, while 'must appear' yielded identical results fewer times on MSN than Google and AOL.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 12, 2003

Heat zapps bone tumors

A study published in the Journal of Vascular Interventional Radiology suggests that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation can be an effective treatment for osteoid osteomas, with all eight patients achieving complete pain relief. The use of CT fluoroscopy enhanced imaging guidance improved precision and success rates.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateMay 12, 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.

Researchers get to the root of cassava's cyanide-producing abilities

Scientists at Ohio State University have developed a new type of cassava plant that produces significantly less cyanide, a toxic compound found in the root. By blocking genes responsible for linamarin synthesis, researchers reduced cyanide levels by up to 99% in roots and 60-94% in leaves.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPlanta·DateMay 12, 2003

Chiropractic treatment of the neck can be a risk factor for stroke

Research finds that spinal manipulative therapy may exacerbate pre-existing vertebral artery dissections, increasing the risk of stroke. Patients under age 60 who received chiropractic neck treatments were six times more likely to experience a stroke than those who didn't.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNeurology·DateMay 12, 2003

Early-life environments shape development of stress behaviors and learning abilities in mice

A study led by Darlene Francis found that early-life environments significantly impact stress behaviors and learning abilities in mice. Mice transferred to high-stress surrogate mothers after birth showed increased stress-reactive behaviors and poorer cognitive performance compared to those raised by low-stress mothers.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 12, 2003
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.

Unique NASA satellite watches rainfall from space

TRMM allows researchers to daily map areas of potential flooding using precipitation radar data and high-resolution measurements of cloud water content. The satellite provides updated records on a global scale, enabling scientists to track storms, monitor El Nino conditions, and assess crop health in remote regions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 12, 2003

Study shows molecular analysis of early breast cancer lesions may be key to choosing best treatment

Researchers developed new methods for diagnosing breast cancer based on gene expression signatures, correlating with traditional pathological classifications. The study found that early-stage lesions contain molecular signatures reflecting tumor aggressiveness, potentially changing the course of cancer progression.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 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.

Neurology study 'fraught with design flaws,' according to American Chiropractic Association

A recent study found no new information on the relationship between chiropractic neck treatment and vertebral artery dissection (VAD), a rare type of stroke. However, experts believe it's physically impossible for a competently performed neck adjustment to cause VAD unless the artery already has a significant pre-existing weakness.

SourceAmerican Chiropractic Association·JournalNeurology·DateMay 12, 2003

Neck and spine adjustments linked to increased risk of stroke

A new study by the American Academy of Neurology links cervical spine manipulation to an increased risk of stroke in people under 60. Researchers found that patients who experienced arterial dissection and stroke were six times more likely to have visited a practitioner who manipulated their neck within the past 30 days.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 12, 2003

Computational method identifies genes that regulate cell's machinery

A new method reveals previously unknown control genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, enabling insight into the roles of regulatory genes and their targets. The method predicts functions of regulator genes and their targets, shedding light on gene regulation and its implications for cell function and disease.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 12, 2003