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Science News Archive November 2003


Page 6 of 10

Observing a burst with sunglasses

A team of astronomers studied the polarisation properties of GRB 030329's afterglow over 38 days, detecting significant variability in strength and orientation. The data reveal a unique diagnostic tool for gamma-ray burst studies, challenging existing theories.

News tips for Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003

Cardiac researchers report improved blood flow to ischemic heart muscle using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a potential new treatment for intractable ischemia. Meanwhile, ICD patients may be safer with vigorous exercise, while daytime sleepiness significantly affects the quality of life of angina patients.

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.

Research sheds new light on evolution

Researchers at Michigan State University found that initial changes in genetic makeup can lead to significant adaptations in plants and other organisms. The study used the monkeyflower plant, altering its genome to attract new pollinators, such as hummingbirds.

Procedure cures atrial fibrillation

Researchers from Michigan Medicine report dramatic success in treating atrial fibrillation patients using radiofrequency catheter ablation, achieving high cure rates and low complication rates. The technique involves delivering intense radiofrequency waves to specific areas of disorganized electrical activity, resulting in a significan...

Bullied children at risk of depression, antisocial behavior

Children who experience bullying are at increased risk of developing depression and antisocial behavior. Research suggests that some children learn to cope with repeated victimization, while others do not. The study found that boys who experienced growing harassment were more likely to demonstrate antisocial and depressive behaviors.

Hello, will you be my friend?

The nTag device uses infrared links and RFID chips to connect people with common interests, alerting them to potential matches. Despite some initial issues, most delegates were impressed with the service, exchanging over 3,600 business cards during the event.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Arctic and Antarctic sea ice marching to different drivers

The study reveals a 20% faster rate of Arctic sea ice loss over the last two decades compared to the previous three decades. In contrast, Antarctica experienced a dramatic loss followed by a gradual expansion of its sea ice cover since the mid-1970s.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away . . . but so may a cigarette

Researchers at the University of Houston discovered that nicotine can alleviate stress-induced memory impairment and improve symptoms of hypothyroidism. This breakthrough may lead to new therapeutic approaches for boosting memory and treating devastating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study's findings have significant i...

Hospital work shifts influence survival from cardiac arrest

A recent study by the American Heart Association found that hospital staff preparedness significantly impacts survival rates for cardiac arrests during night shifts. The research indicates that patients experiencing cardiac arrest at night have a lower survival rate compared to those who experience it during the day or evening shifts.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Neutron detector under development to monitor spacecraft radiation

A new neutron detector is being developed to monitor spacecraft radiation, with a goal of creating a lightweight and portable device that can detect high-energy neutrons. The detector will provide crucial data for exploration missions outside Earth's orbit, where astronauts are exposed to increased radiation levels.

Better brain imaging helps surgeons avoid damage to language functions

Researchers at Washington University developed a non-invasive fMRI technique to better evaluate brain surgery risks and guide operations to avoid sensitive language areas. This breakthrough holds promise for safer surgeries for nearly 200,000 Americans diagnosed with brain tumors annually.

Researchers pinpoint enzyme involved in arthritis onset

The study found that inhibiting PKR prevents the production and activation of enzymes that break down connective tissue and the release of proteoglycan from cartilage. This suggests that PKR is involved in the molecular pathways that contribute to arthritis progression.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Growth factor grows stem cells that help heal hearts

Researchers discovered that a growth factor, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), can increase the number of stem cells in the heart, which may help repair damaged heart tissue. After six weeks, patients showed significant improvements in heart function and metabolic recovery.

Study finds new mothers are resistant to stress

A study by Rutgers University researchers found that female rats during the postpartum period are less anxious and more resistant to stress than females without offspring. This unique response may be linked to the high incidence of mental illness in new mothers, including depression and anxiety.

A little electrical boost may help many heart failure patients

A new implantable device called OPTIMIZER II has shown promise in treating heart failure by strengthening the heart's contraction using an electrical signal. The study enrolled 25 patients with moderately severe heart failure and found a statistically significant improvement in ejection fraction and quality of life.

System halts computer viruses, worms, before end-user stage

Researchers developed a hardware platform called FPX that scans for malware signatures in parallel, allowing it to scan every byte of network traffic at an unprecedented rate. This technology can quarantine viruses and worms within sub-networks, protecting thousands of users with just a few devices.

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.

Air pollution, even at 'safe' levels, is bad for the heart

A study found a significant positive association between cardiovascular disease deaths and air pollutants in Athens, Greece, with a 10-mg/m3 increase in black smoke linked to a 4% increase in CVD deaths. High carbon monoxide levels also showed a strong correlation with increased heart disease risk.

Defibrillators may improve survival in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

The DEFINITE study found that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death and improve overall survival in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. The study, which followed 458 participants for two years, showed a statistically significant reduction in arrhythmic deaths and all-cause mortality.

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.

Nicotine metabolite may improve memory, protect against disease

New animal studies suggest that nicotine exposure during development can disrupt normal emotional learning in adulthood. Researchers have identified a novel brain circuit where changes occur, leading to altered behavior. The findings indicate potential use of pure nicotine-like compounds as medications for treating human disorders.

New mothers protected from stress, have heightened reward, smell

Pregnant women exhibit enhanced odor sensitivity and unpleasantness, which may help protect against stress. A study also found that brain areas mediating 'reward' are stimulated by pup suckling in rat mothers, suggesting a potential link between smell, reward, and maternal bonding.

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.

Poor neighborhood linked to poor heart attack survival

A new study found that patients living in neighborhoods with high poverty rates had a 30% higher death rate after a heart attack. Researchers analyzed data from the Worcester Heart Attack Study, which included 2,539 confirmed cases of heart attack collected between 1995 and 1999.

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.

Drug proven to benefit heart attack victims vastly underused

A study analyzing data from over 56,000 U.S. patients found that almost two out of three received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors within the first 24 hours, resulting in a 2.7% in-hospital death rate compared to 4.7%. The researchers emphasized the importance of aggressive treatment protocols and adherence to established guidelines.

Repetitive work tasks linked to bone damage

A study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that repetitive work tasks can cause pathological overloading of upper extremity bones in rats. The researchers observed tissue damage and inflammation within 3-6 weeks, suggesting the potential for early intervention to prevent further harm.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Men’s social isolation linked to higher heart disease risk

A study examining factors that influence successful aging found a link between social isolation and increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers in men's blood. The study suggests that social relationships may influence health through biological processes, with implications for heart disease risk.

Emory scientists find oral tetrahydrobiopterin can reduce high blood pressure

Researchers at the Emory Heart Center found that oral tetrahydrobiopterin can significantly lower blood pressure in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. The study showed a significant reduction in blood pressure after just three weeks of therapy, likely due to increased availability of nitric oxide and enhanced vasodilation.

News tips for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003

Researchers develop new approach to treating extreme artery blockages using G-CSF treatment. Insurance disparities are found in diabetic minorities with a lack of coverage driving disparities in preventive care.

INFORMS names Fellow Award Winners

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has recognized 2003 Fellow Award winners for their significant contributions to the field of operations research and management science. The recipients include prominent academics, practitioners, and educators in various fields.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Studies show beneficial effects of bilingual learning

Researchers found bilingual children outperform monolingual peers in cognitive tasks and show significant improvement in reading skills with just a few months of practice. This suggests that bilingualism can provide a cognitive edge and may lead to more effective therapies for speech and language disorders.

Thanksgiving: A time for healthful eating?

Recent research findings highlight the health benefits of traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as cranberries, which can aid recovery from stroke, and may protect brain cells. Antioxidant-rich foods like hot cocoa tops both red wine and tea in cancer-fighting compounds.

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.

A heart-strengthening pace: brisk but comfortable

A recent study by the American Heart Association recommends regular brisk but comfortable walking to boost cardiovascular fitness. Middle-aged obese adults walked at a self-selected pace and achieved recommended levels of exercise intensity.

Post-9/11 surveillance crosses borders, affects 'ordinary people'

A $1.9 million grant will study the impact of personal data flow on society, exploring how individuals and organizations collect, share, and use personal information across borders. The project aims to generate informed debate and positive change in global policies around handling personal data.

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.

Some re-established elk herds lack genetic diversity of ancestors

Research at Purdue University found that re-established elk herds in Pennsylvania and California have lost significant amounts of genetic diversity due to poor management and small reintroduction numbers. This loss can make them more vulnerable to environmental changes, highlighting the importance of effective herd management.

Bone marrow stem cells build new circulation to lungs

Researchers used endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrow to repair damaged blood vessels in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), reducing systolic pressure and improving microcirculation. The study suggests a regenerative approach that could lead to a new clinical therapy for this devastating disease.

IU fruit fly scientists capture $20 million grant

The Indiana University-led FlyBase team will develop and maintain the public interface of the database, while the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center will provide prized Drosophila mutants crucial to various scientific fields. Over 12,000 scientists worldwide have authored papers about Drosophila in the past.

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.

Male flesh flies high-speed pursuit of females

Researchers found that male flesh flies radically move their heads while chasing females, but don't necessarily use the high-definition parts of their compound eyes. This unique visual guidance system could help engineers develop better detection systems for aircraft and artillery.

Studies describe heart disease following smallpox vaccination

A recent study has found a link between smallpox vaccination and rare heart diseases, including pericarditis and myocarditis. Twenty-four cases of these conditions were identified among 37,876 US civilian healthcare workers who received the vaccine as part of a bioterrorism readiness program.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

PET: An effective method to predict breast cancer survival?

Researchers found decreased tumor blood flow correlated significantly with survival in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study suggests tumor biology should be an important factor in considering patient response to treatment.