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Science News Archive October 2003


Page 5 of 10

Gene silencer may improve chemo and radiation

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have discovered a gene silencer that blocks cancer cells' ability to repair themselves after chemotherapy and radiation. By reducing the production of targeted repair proteins, the silencer enables cancer cells to become susceptible to therapy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

$5 million NSF grant to fund cybersecurity research

The EMIST project will test defenses against worms, denial-of-service attacks, and routing computer attacks. The experiments will run on the Cyber Defense Technology Experimental Research network (DETER), a new testbed built by UC Berkeley and USC.

Self-assembled nanocells function as non-volatile memory

Scientists at Rice University develop a new technology that uses disordered nanowires and organic molecules to create functional memory devices. These 'NanoCells' can store information for more than a week without refreshment, far longer than traditional DRAM.

Annals of Internal Medicine, tip sheet, October 21, 2003

Recent studies question the volume-outcome relationship, suggesting that patient characteristics and hospital quality may play a greater role than previously thought. Additionally, topical nerve growth factor shows promise in treating pressure ulcers, with significant healing outcomes reported.

What you should know about statistics

Statistics expert Utts identifies seven common ways statistics are misinterpreted in news reports, including confusion about cause-and-effect relationships. She advises readers to consider possible alternate explanations when interpreting observational studies.

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.

Let water power your cell phone?

University of Alberta engineers have created a new source of clean, non-polluting electric power using tap water and microchannels. The technology has vast potential for powering small devices and could rival wind and solar power in the future.

Both languages active in bilingual speakers

Researchers found that bilingual speakers' brains actively use both languages when speaking, not suppressing one over the other. This challenge traditional views on how languages are managed in the brain. By presenting subjects with pictures and tones, the study demonstrated that both languages are active at once.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Fractal-shaped tiles developed for new broadband antenna class

Researchers at Penn State have created innovative design methods for a new class of antennas composed of fractal-shaped tiles, offering improved bandwidth and radiation patterns. The fractile arrays are generated recursively and offer advantages over conventional square boundaries.

Racial-ethnic pride and academic achievement linked

A study by Dr. Emilie Phillips Smith found that family, school, and community factors play a significant role in shaping children's racial-ethnic attitudes and academic achievement. The research used interviews and questionnaires to assess the attitudes of African American child and parent pairs in South Carolina.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Teens struggle to find accurate, useful health information online

A study found that teenagers face challenges in accessing relevant health information online, with common barriers including poorly designed websites, lack of targeted content, and ineffective search strategies. To improve access, researchers suggest teaching better search skills and designing websites more tailored to users' needs.

Altruistic actions may result in better mental health

A study analyzing data from 2,016 congregation members found that altruistic actions are associated with improved mental health. People who give help to others may be less likely to focus on their own anxieties and depression, leading to better mental well-being.

Heart attack patients don't maintain exercise program

A study of 83 heart attack patients found that 12% did not exercise at all over the next year, despite completing a cardiac rehabilitation program. The number of people exercising decreased significantly, with most sessions lasting only 35-45 minutes and averaging only 28.2% time spent in the targeted heart rate zone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

Enigmatic role for NF-kappaB in the hardening of arteries

NF-kappaB plays a complex role in atherosclerosis, both promoting and inhibiting inflammation. In mice deficient in LDL receptors and NF-kappaB activation, lesions were larger and more advanced, containing more necrosis and macrophages.

FGF-2 to the rescue following traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that FGF-2 supplementation limits existing neuron loss while promoting new neuron generation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus following traumatic brain injury. This approach may offer a rational strategy for treating brain injury by enhancing neurogenesis and reducing neurodegeneration.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

New protein provides clue to diabetes

Researchers have discovered a new protein, TUG, that controls the movement of GLUT4, a glucose transporter in cells. This finding may lead to new drug targets for treating Type 2 diabetes.

Building a better atlas of yeast proteins

Researchers have created a comprehensive atlas of yeast proteins, allowing for the measurement of abundance and localization with high sensitivity. This breakthrough enables insights into protein function and cellular behavior, surpassing previous methods that only detected abundant proteins.