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Science News for October 16, 2003


Proteins enable HIV to override cell's defenses

Researchers identified a new link in the chain allowing HIV to overcome cellular resistant factor and infect human cells. Disruption of Cul5-SCF function reduces HIV infectiousness by 90%, paving the way for new therapies.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 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.

Aortic aneurysm death risk hinges on choice of surgeon, study finds

The study found that mortality rates are significantly lower for patients with a vascular surgeon performing the operation. High-volume surgeons and hospitals resulted in better outcomes, suggesting that experience counts when it comes to treating aortic aneurysms.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·DateOct 16, 2003

Genetic basis for gender differences in the liver

Researchers uncover two neighboring genes, Rsl1 and Rsl2, that repress male-specific liver gene expression in female mice. This discovery sheds light on the genetic basis for gender differences in liver function, revealing a complex interplay between multiple genes.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 16, 2003

Helical piezoelectric 'nanosprings' could be actuators & transducers in nanosystems

Researchers have developed nanoscale helical 'nanosprings' from zinc oxide that exhibit piezoelectric and electrostatic polarization properties. These structures could be used as sensors to detect small fluid flows, strain forces, and air flows, and as actuators in micro-systems. The new materials also display unusual electrostatic pol...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 16, 2003

Fourteen Grand Challenges in Global Health announced

The NIH has launched a $200 million grant initiative to tackle 14 grand challenges in global health, including creating effective vaccines, controlling insect-borne diseases, and improving nutrition. The program aims to engage creative minds globally to develop practical solutions to pressing health issues.

SourceNIH/Foundation for the National Institutes of Health·DateOct 16, 2003

UCSD scientists explain and improve upon 'enigmatic' probability formula

UCSD researchers have developed a new estimator that outperforms the historic Good-Turing formula under all conditions. The new estimator, called attenuation, evaluates the highest possible ratio between the probability assigned to each symbol in a sequence by any distribution and the corresponding probability assigned by the estimator.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2003
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.

Stevens wins award for Best Online University in the Nation

Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded the Best Online University by the Sloan Foundation, a prestigious recognition for its high-quality online programs. With over 2,250 graduate enrollments in online courses and a revenue of nearly $4 million from its online students, Stevens demonstrates its leadership in online education.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateOct 16, 2003

Light and nano: quantum mechanics vs. classical optics

Researchers at Rice University have developed a quantum model to predict nanophotonic behavior, making it easier to design new optical materials and devices. The study shows that plasmons in nanoparticles hybridize with each other, allowing for the prediction of properties in complex metallic nanostructures.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2003

New material breakthrough: Super-hard graphite cracks diamond

Researchers at Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory have created a super-hard form of graphite that can rival diamond in strength. The new material was made by subjecting graphite to extreme pressures and studying its atomic structure using high-intensity X-rays.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2003

Duke researchers discover power behind molecular motors

A team of researchers led by Dr. Sharyn Endow at Duke University Medical Center has discovered the power stroke that drives molecular motors, which transport nutrients around cells or herd chromosomes during cell division. This breakthrough could help understand diseases like Down's syndrome and prevent them.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateOct 16, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Down and dirty: Airborne ozone can alter forest soil

Researchers found that ozone reduces soil carbon formation, a key process for storing organic matter. The study suggests forests may be less effective at cleaning the air of excess carbon dioxide when ozone levels are high.

SourceUSDA Forest Service ‑ Southern Research Station·JournalNature·DateOct 16, 2003

Act now to secure Iraq's health

The Lancet editorial questions the qualifications of key health officials in Iraq, while noting progress in hospital funding. The article warns that donors must prioritize the health and security of all Iraqi people before it's too late.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 16, 2003

Unfaithful songbirds increase offspring fitness

Research on blue tits found that extra-pair copulations with distant males lead to more heterozygous offspring, resulting in improved survival and reproductive success. This study suggests that females can benefit from promiscuity by increasing the genetic quality of their progeny.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateOct 16, 2003
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Anaemia treatment could worsen cancer prognosis

A multicentre trial involving 351 patients found that anaemia treatment with epoetin beta did not improve cancer control or survival rates. Instead, patients receiving epoetin beta had a 60% better chance of progression-free survival compared to those given placebo.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 16, 2003

Effective treatment for diabetes depends on the underlying cause

A recent study found that patients with a genetic subtype of diabetes have a significantly greater response to sulphonylurea drugs compared to those without a defined cause. This discovery highlights the importance of individualizing treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes, depending on their underlying cause.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 16, 2003

New medicines at risk from biodiversity loss

Conotoxins have extraordinary promise for developing powerful new drugs, including treatments for pain, cancer, epilepsy, and depression. However, habitat loss and uncontrolled exploitation threaten the extinction of cone snail species, which are a valuable source of these medicines.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2003

Ghost crab fossils haunt area beaches

Fossilized ghost crabs, up to 110,000 years-old, have been found on area beaches in central Florida. The rare discovery suggests that beach erosion, possibly caused by the construction of Port Canaveral, has exposed fossils that were previously hidden by dunes.

SourceFlorida Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Crustacean Biology·DateOct 16, 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.

Georgetown University receives $6.5 million grant to enhance emergency preparedness in Washington

Georgetown University Medical Center has received a $6.5 million NIH grant to develop an innovative medical surveillance system that connects DC emergency rooms during crises. The system, known as Project Sentinel Collaboratory, will utilize the InSight real-time data repository and analyze de-identified medical information, weather, t...

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateOct 16, 2003

Cellular fat sensor slows heart disease

Researchers discover PPAR-delta pathway that curbs atherosclerosis development and reduces heart disease by half. The pathway could be used to develop drugs to treat heart disease, currently the number one killer of Americans.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2003

UCSF vascular surgeons develop new technique to repair aortic arch aneurysm

For the first time, a US patient's entire aortic arch has been successfully repaired using this technique. The procedure minimizes complications and allows patients to recover quickly, with a lower risk of death or complications compared to traditional open surgery.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·DateOct 16, 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.

Workplace rewards tall people with money, respect, UF study shows

A recent study by UF management professors Timothy Judge and Daniel Cable found that being tall comes with significant financial benefits, including higher pay and increased respect at work. The research analyzed data from thousands of participants and showed that every inch of height can add up to thousands of dollars in annual earnings.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateOct 16, 2003

'Timeless' gene found to play key role as timekeeper in mammals

Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that the timeless gene is essential for regulating the 24-hour circadian rhythm in mammals. Blocking its functional ability disrupts the clock's activity and leads to an uncoupling effect, where other clock genes are no longer able to function properly.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 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.