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Science News for October 27, 2003


UGA researchers track greenhouse gases in forests

Researchers at UGA are using manmade tracers to study the exchange of gases between vegetation and the atmosphere. They aim to improve methods for evaluating carbon sequestration in plant canopies, a crucial step in understanding how much carbon is taken up by different ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·DateOct 27, 2003

Smoking increases risk of multiple sclerosis

A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), regardless of age or education level. The study examined over 22,000 people and found that smokers were 1.81 times more likely to develop MS than non-smokers.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 27, 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.

New model of Alzheimer's enzyme may help refine future treatments

Researchers found that gamma-secretase cleaves both amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Notch interchangeably, treating them as interchangeable substrates. The study suggests a new approach to inhibiting gamma-secretase activity without interfering with its role in Notch signaling.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 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.

Familiarity decides if wolf spider loves 'em or eats 'em

Female wolf spiders exhibit social recognition and memory, favoring familiar male phenotypes for mating. This behavior is linked to their experience during the pre-adult stage, with cannibalization rates among unfamiliar males being higher.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2003

Improved remote mapping of disaster zones

Columbia researchers have developed a classification system for turning SAR data into detailed maps of landscape elements like water, vegetation, and rocks. This technology has shown superiority over optical remote sensing in identifying disaster zones, particularly during nighttime or with smoke and dust present.

SourceColumbia Climate School·DateOct 27, 2003

Liver transplants result in excellent survival rates for patients with liver cancer

A US study found that liver transplantation significantly improves five-year survival rates for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), from 25.3% in the late 1980s to 61.1% in the early 2000s. The study suggests that careful patient selection based on improved criteria may be a key factor in these improvements.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 27, 2003
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Healthy hearts predict healthy old age, says University of Pittsburgh study

The study analyzed data from 2,932 participants who were free of major life-threatening diseases and had normal physical and cognitive function at baseline. After eight years, 48% of the participants had aged successfully, with those without subclinical cardiovascular disease faring better.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateOct 27, 2003

PTEN and prostate cancer--the devil is in the doses

Researchers created mouse models to study PTEN's impact on prostate cancer progression. Subtle reductions in PTEN dose produced progressive changes in the biology of tumors, with mice having no functional PTEN genes showing the most invasive and aggressive cancers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 27, 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.

Lifestyle changes clinically effective

Research studies reveal that weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes can lower breast cancer risk by up to five percent of body weight and increase physical activity levels associated with reduced mammographic breast density. Additionally, a low-carbohydrate diet may be more effective in preventing prostate cancer progression.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateOct 27, 2003

Surgeons offer new treatment for degenerative eye disease

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new treatment for degenerative eye disease, macular translocation surgery with 360 degree peripheral retinectomy (MT360), which has shown promising results in recovering reading vision in patients. The procedure involves rotating the retina to shift the degenerating macula ...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology·DateOct 27, 2003

Dose of PTEN protein found to determine progression of prostate cancer

Scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discovered that the amount of PTEN protein produced affects prostate cancer progression. Mouse models showed varying levels of PTEN protein led to aggressive or benign tumors, suggesting novel clinical strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 27, 2003

Childhood obesity? School food service personnel say NIMBY

A study by Penn State researchers found that school service personnel who participated in a Project PA workshop recognized the importance of nutrition education and healthy eating behaviors in addressing childhood obesity. The participants identified parental attitudes, peer pressure, and media as barriers to students' healthful eating...

SourcePenn State·DateOct 27, 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.

Straight from the heart

A Canadian study compared outcomes for patients with elevated cardiac markers who received a home health nurse-delivered disease management program versus those without. The results showed significant reductions in hospitalization days for congestive heart failure and angina. A commentary highlighted the need for a national program to ...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 27, 2003

Suffer the children

A Canadian study found that 96% of substantiated child abuse cases did not result in serious physical harm, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of investigative procedures and risk assessments. The study's findings also raise concerns about the emphasis on rapid intervention over longer-term service needs.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 27, 2003

Pollutant-eating microbe could speed gasworks cleanup

A newly discovered bacterium, Polaromonas naphthalenivorans strain CJ2, has been found to break down naphthalene and other toxins in coal tar contamination. The discovery was made using a new technique called stable isotopic probing (SIP), which allowed researchers to identify the microbe's DNA signature.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2003

Two million neonatal deaths take place in two developing regions of the world

The study reveals a significant lack of data on neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in a highly variable rate. Researchers highlight the need for investments in neonatal research and health programs to address this critical public health issue.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateOct 27, 2003