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Science News for October 14, 2003


Relief of poverty linked to improvement in some childhood psychiatric symptoms

A study conducted at Duke University Medical Center found that relief from poverty can lead to a decrease in frequency of psychiatric symptoms in children. The research, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that removing family poverty is associated with improved mental health outcomes.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateOct 14, 2003
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.

New NASA facility will help protect space crews from radiation

NASA will conduct thousands of experiments at its new $34 million Space Radiation Laboratory to develop materials and countermeasures protecting spacecraft crews from harmful space radiation. The laboratory, built in cooperation with the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, simulates the harsh space environment.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center News Center·DateOct 14, 2003

UCSF-led study raises doubts about marrow cell treatment for brain, heart

A UCSF-led study found no evidence of trans-differentiation when bone marrow-derived cells fused with damaged tissue in mice, casting doubt on their potential as a treatment for brain and heart diseases. The researchers suggest that cell fusion might be a physiological mechanism for repairing damaged cells, but more research is needed.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2003

Patient simulator improves performance of clinical trial coordinators

A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers demonstrates that training research coordinators on a human simulator prior to a complex clinical trial can significantly improve their confidence in their abilities. The training improved the coordinators' confidence levels, with an average increase from 5.7 to 8.12, and also led t...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateOct 14, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Commentaries question benefit of early breast cancer screening

Commentaries question the benefit of early breast cancer screening for women aged 40-49, citing higher mortality rates among screened women. Experts highlight possible biologic explanations and the importance of informed consent, while also warning of potential harms such as false positives and overtreatment.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 14, 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.

Researchers find that Superman's teeth can superconduct

University of Warwick physicists have found that phosphorus in teeth can become a superconductor when subjected to immense pressure. They also propose a method for preserving and using this structure, which could enable the creation of a 'superconducting switch'.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 14, 2003

The changing face of severe asthma

Research reveals distinct differences between severe asthma in children and adults, with males under 18 predominantly affected and females over 18. Children with severe asthma exhibit deceptively good lung function, challenging existing guidelines that may lead to undertreatment.

SourceNational Jewish Health·DateOct 14, 2003

Repeated alcohol detoxifications can impair cognitive function

A study found that repeated alcohol detoxifications are associated with increased impairment of cognitive function, specifically frontal-lobe damage. Patients with two or more previous withdrawals performed worse than those with fewer or no experiences in tasks requiring attention and executive function.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 14, 2003

Only 15 minutes of life, no fame, for lone neutrons

Scientists at NIST have precisely measured the lifetime of neutrons using a powerful technique. The measurement is consistent with current theories about particles and forces of nature, providing valuable insights into the creation of matter immediately after the Big Bang.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 14, 2003

Study suggests common use of investigational breast cancer test

A study analyzed patterns of SNB use in academic comprehensive cancer centers and found that its use was associated with breast-conserving surgery. The procedure's popularity increased over time, from 8% in 1997 to 58% in the last half of 2000.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 14, 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.

Adult alcoholism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are connected

Researchers identified a distinct phenotype of individuals with co-existing ADHD and alcoholism, characterized by increased severity of alcohol dependence and earlier age of onset. Adults with ADHD were found to be at high risk of developing an alcohol-use disorder, with a significantly higher daily intake of alcohol.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 14, 2003

New scheduling method raises efficiency of electronics recycling

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new scheduling method for electronics recycling that optimizes the flow of incoming products from storage to disassembly. By prioritizing large products with quick disassembly times, recyclers can reduce storage space needs by up to half and increase productivity.

SourcePurdue University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Electronics Packaging Manufacturing·DateOct 14, 2003

Restricting the gene pool

Researchers have identified a receptor on sea urchin eggs that regulates the species-specific adhesion of sperm, preventing cross-fertilization between different species. The discovery provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of gamete interactions and could shed light on how new species evolved.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 14, 2003
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

MSU site of national breast cancer center

Michigan State University (MSU) is one of four national centers studying the link between environmental exposures and breast cancer. The center will focus on hormonal factors, including progesterone, and community outreach to better understand breast cancer risk.

SourceMichigan State University·DateOct 14, 2003

New centers boost muscular dystrophy research

Researchers at three new NIH-funded centers are working on developing gene and stem cell therapies to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The centers will study various aspects of gene therapy, including the delivery and engraftment of muscle stem cells into diseased heart tissue.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases·DateOct 14, 2003

Alcohol's pharmacological properties, not smell or taste, reinforce its effects

A study found that alcohol's reinforcing properties in rodent infants are due to its pharmacological effects, independent of smell or taste. This suggests that animals and people may find alcohol rewarding for the same reasons throughout their development, with implications for human brain development and behavior.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 14, 2003
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.

St. Jude leukemia therapy overcomes differences in treatment outcome between black, white children

A new study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that black children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can achieve high cure rates comparable to those of white children, contradicting previous clinical studies. The research suggests that personalized risk-directed therapy played a key role in overcoming disparities in t...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateOct 14, 2003

Hand-to-ear link in brain established after minutes of piano learning

Researchers found that silent piano practice altered brain activity patterns after just 20 minutes, with enhanced changes after five weeks of training. The study suggests a 'map' is formed between auditory pitch targets and motor skills, similar to Broca's area involved in speech processing.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateOct 14, 2003

Highlights of the October 2003 Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Research emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity, along with adequate calcium intake, for maintaining or improving bone health. The American Dietetic Association also promotes medical nutrition therapy as a key factor in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

SourceAmerican Dietetic Association·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateOct 14, 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.

Grid technology helps astronomers keep pace with the Universe

The eSTAR network uses intelligent agents to automatically observe and analyze astronomical events, such as supernovae explosions and black hole activity. The agents can detect and respond to the rapidly changing universe faster than humans, allowing for more efficient science discovery.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateOct 14, 2003

Adolescent binge drinking produces tolerance to alcohol

Researchers found that adolescent binge drinking leads to tolerance in various biological functions, including altered liver function and brain function. This tolerance can last into adulthood, highlighting the importance of studying its effects during adolescence.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 14, 2003

New drug reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

A new study found that adding aprepitant to standard treatment for nausea and vomiting can effectively prevent these symptoms following chemotherapy. The medication reduced nausea and vomiting both on the day of chemotherapy administration and in the days that followed.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 14, 2003

Patterns of brain activity differ with musical training, not cultural familarity

Researchers used fMRI to study brain activity in response to Western and traditional Chinese music. They found no overall differences in brain activation between cultures, but significant differences based on musical training. Musicians showed greater brain activity in response to Western music and greater recall of both styles.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNeuroImage·DateOct 14, 2003
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Researchers find genetic link to prostate cancer

Researchers discovered a genetic link between prostate cancer and a specific gene variant, CYPIBI. The study found that tiny variations in the gene may increase or decrease its cancer-causing effects, leading to a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateOct 14, 2003