Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2003 - Page 5


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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateOct 20, 2003
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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateOct 20, 2003

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.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 20, 2003

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2003

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe American Statistician·DateOct 20, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering·DateOct 19, 2003
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.

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.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 18, 2003

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.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 17, 2003

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateOct 17, 2003
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.

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateOct 17, 2003

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.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateOct 17, 2003

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.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation·DateOct 17, 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.

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

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
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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

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
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.

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 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.

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

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
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

'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

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 15, 2003
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.

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 15, 2003

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.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateOct 15, 2003
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.

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.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateOct 15, 2003