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Science News for May 22, 2003


Mouse model offers new explanation for kidney disease and failure

A study published in Science suggests that proteins normally pass into the kidneys and that kidney disease may result from an inability to draw them back out. Researchers identified at least two patients with kidney disease who lack one copy of CD2AP, a protein critical for kidney function.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 2003

Britain markets itself as 'damaged goods,' professor says

Professor Elizabeth Legge explores how British art marketed itself as a failure to gain cultural credibility in the US. She argues that this strategy tapped into American perceptions of British art as gauche and incapable of irony, generating mutual indignation between the two nations.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·DateMay 22, 2003

Jefferson educators look to improve physician empathy

A new scale aims to improve physician empathy by measuring their personal qualities, particularly in patient care situations. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy has been developed to help identify physicians who need more empathy training and evaluate the effectiveness of medical education programs.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalSeminars in Integrative Medicine·DateMay 22, 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.

Essential gene for male fertility found

Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a gene, Fkbp6, essential for male fertility but not female fertility. The study shows that the gene plays a critical role in sperm cell development and chromosome pairing, highlighting potential new principles in how cells control the number of chromosomes.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 2003

Nearly 10% of young men could have chlamydia

A study of 800 young male army recruits found that nearly 10% could have chlamydia infection, with a higher proportion than previously reported having asymptomatic cases. Infected men were equally active sexually as the general population.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 22, 2003

Diversity hot spots at cold seeps?

Researchers at the College of William and Mary report that seep mussel beds exhibit higher diversity than vent mussel beds. This discrepancy may be due to a physiological barrier to invasion at vents, limiting dispersal and leading to lower biodiversity.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEcology Letters·DateMay 22, 2003

Making sense of the genome

A new two-step method for identifying transcription factors has been developed, reducing irrelevant regulators by 85%. The tool, ConSite, uses a combination of sequence scanning and conservation analysis to pinpoint regulatory elements.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateMay 22, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Studies suggest age-related declines may be overestimated

Researchers argue that age differences in memory studies are influenced by stereotype threat and social contexts. Older adults perform similarly to younger adults when making objective decisions and judging character.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateMay 22, 2003

Study suggests genetically modifying sunflowers for white mold resistance

A field study by Vanderbilt University and Indiana University found that wild sunflowers already possess some level of resistance to white mold, reducing the need for genetic modification. The study suggested that transgenes may not spread widely through wild populations if they do not confer a reproductive advantage.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 2003

When is a metal not a metal?

Researchers discovered niobium clusters exhibit ferroelectric behavior when cooled to ultra-cold temperatures, displaying negative and positive charges. The phenomenon is linked to superconductivity in transition metals, offering clues to this complex phenomenon.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 2003

Older pilots OK to fly, study shows

A study of 3,306 pilots found that those with over 5,000 hours of flight experience had less than half the risk of a crash compared to less experienced counterparts. The study suggests that flight experience, not age alone, is a crucial factor in determining pilot safety.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateMay 22, 2003
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

University of Toronto study expands understanding of diffusion

The study identifies changes to rate-determining factors at transition points, shedding new light on the nature of non-linear spreading. Researchers used a model to calculate these changes and found them to be crucial for understanding various phenomena such as 'avalanches' in sand piles.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2003

Copper chelation is a promising new therapy for clogged arteries

Researchers discovered that blocking copper function prevents artery narrowing and growth after angioplasty, offering a promising new treatment for clogged arteries. The commonly available reagent TTM, a specific copper chelator, stopped inflammation and cell growth, making cells stress-resistant.

SourceMaine Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2003

Vanderbilt, Meharry establish new Center for AIDS Research

The Vanderbilt Meharry Developmental Center for AIDS Research aims to advance treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS through collaboration and education. The center will focus on racial disparities and minority populations, building on existing collaborations between the two institutions.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·DateMay 22, 2003

Three Gorges Dam is an opportunity for ecoscience

The Three Gorges Dam Project will conduct the largest and most complete experiment on habitat fragmentation, a condition affecting environments globally. The reservoir's creation will isolate species in limited spaces, providing valuable insights into ecological dynamics.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 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.

Minorities get different mental health care in rich neighborhoods

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that minorities in low-poverty areas are more likely to use public mental health services, often due to being more visible and attention-worthy. This disparity affects black and Hispanic residents, who are disproportionately represented in high-poverty neighborhoods.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMay 22, 2003

SARS from outer space?

Researchers propose pathogenic bacteria and viruses could originate from outer space, citing the unusual nature of major epidemics like SARS. The novel virus in SARS has been identified as a possible explanation for its unexpected appearance and global spread.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 22, 2003

The coming crisis of long-term care

The world's population is aging rapidly, with a quarter of the US population expected to be over 65 by 2030. Various models of care are discussed, including those in the UK, USA, Germany, and Italy. Governments must take initiative to configure or restructure long-term care, examining social and ethical values and public policies on el...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 22, 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.

Biodiversity has roots in global health

A study by Michigan State University suggests that preserving biodiversity is essential for human health and economic development. The researchers emphasize the importance of finding ways to protect China's vast system of nature reserves while addressing socio-economic challenges.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 2003

An unexpected outcome of atmospheric CO2 enrichment

Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi interactions with atmospheric CO2 and soil N led to distinct community formations. This study highlights the importance of considering these interactions in predicting plant responses to climate change.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEcology Letters·DateMay 22, 2003

Inner ear of chicken yields clues to human deafness and balance disorders

Scientists measured over 1,800 genes in sensory cells from the chicken inner ear, revealing significant differences between the cochlea and utricle. The study provides new insights into the causes of aging-related hearing loss and may lead to therapy that replaces lost sensory hair cells.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateMay 22, 2003

AIDS vaccine induces HIV-specific immune response in chronic infection

A new vaccine has shown promise in inducing an HIV-specific immune response in patients with chronic HIV infection, but further research is needed to evaluate its clinical effect. The vaccine, Remune, was found to increase the production of T helper cells that recognize and attack the virus.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAIDS·DateMay 22, 2003

Body clocks keep migrating monarchs on course, Science study shows

A study by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) found that monarchs use their internal circadian clock to navigate towards Mexico. The researchers manipulated daily light cycles on butterflies in a flight simulator, showing that disrupted clocks hinder navigation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 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.