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Science News for September 24, 2003


Sex selection for social reasons unlikely to skew gender balance in Germany and UK

A survey of over 1,000 men and women in Germany and the UK found that there is little support for sex selection for non-medical reasons. In Germany, only 6% would take advantage of preconception sex selection, while in the UK, it was even lower at 21%. The researchers conclude that any potential gender imbalances due to sex selection a...

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateSep 24, 2003

Brain transportation system defect linked to Huntington's by UCSD team

A protein called huntingtin is critical for normal neuronal transportation, but a defective version causes physical blockage and binding interference, leading to neuronal damage. The study supports the hypothesis that blockage of neuronal transportation contributes to neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeuron·DateSep 24, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Duke to lead first comparative trial of hepatitis C therapies

A new clinical trial led by Duke University aims to compare the efficacy of two pegylated interferon treatments for hepatitis C virus. The IDEAL trial will enroll 2,880 patients and determine which treatment results in a sustained viral response in the largest proportion of patients.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateSep 24, 2003

Genes can individualize treatment for high blood pressure

Researchers found genetic associations with blood pressure, including a SNP in adducin 2 that lowered systolic blood pressure in hypertensive individuals treated with beta-blockers. These findings may enable personalized treatment approaches to manage high blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateSep 24, 2003

Study shows increased risk of cancer for stressed women

A recent study found a statistically significant positive relationship between stress and breast cancer, independent of potential confounding factors. Women who experienced stress had double the risk of developing breast cancer over a 24-year period compared to those with no stress.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·DateSep 24, 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.

Study links IQ and affluence level to longevity

Researchers found a 17% higher chance of death for every 15 points lower childhood IQ, but this difference was reduced to 12% after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. High-IQ individuals may have lived long lives due to improved health behaviors or better coping mechanisms.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateSep 24, 2003

UCAR wins funding for new weather forecasting tools to aid scientists and the public

The National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research has been awarded $11.25 million to develop new weather forecasting tools, including the LEAD project. The tool will enable researchers to access state-of-the-art weather prediction models on demand and collaborate with colleagues in real-time.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateSep 24, 2003

Radical innovation helps dominant pharmaceutical firms most

Dominant pharmaceutical firms introduce more radical innovations than smaller counterparts, resulting in substantial financial rewards. They average a $456 million gain in stock value after product approval, significantly outperforming nondominant firms.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 24, 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.

US air transportation system 'in peril' - report

A new report warns that the US air transportation system is in peril due to a lack of coordination among stakeholders. The report calls for a focused national leadership and strategic vision to enable the airline industry to meet increasing travel demand.

SourceOhio State University·DateSep 24, 2003

Health of independent clinical trials in danger, scientist warns

The European CanCer Organisation warns that the definition of a trial sponsor may lead to the collapse of independent clinical trials, particularly in children's cancers and rare adult cancers. Publicly funded clinical trials will be forced to stop due to financial and administrative burdens.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·DateSep 24, 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.

Supported housing for the homeless is more efffective, but also more costly

A Yale University study found that supported housing programs for homeless veterans were more effective than standard care in reducing homelessness. The study showed a 25% increase in nights housed and larger social support networks among participants receiving combined housing vouchers and intensive case management.

SourceYale University·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateSep 24, 2003

Sex selection for social reasons: religious and moral perspectives

According to a survey, allowing sex selection in Germany and the UK would be unlikely to skew biological sex balance. However, experts argue that selecting the sex of offspring raises ethical concerns about parental desires vs. unconditional acceptance of children. Most respondents have no intention of using sex selection techniques, r...

SourceScience and Religion Information Service·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateSep 24, 2003

Could diabetes treatments fight cancer?

Researchers identified a link between LKB1, an enzyme that reduces blood glucose levels, and AMPK, which inhibits cell growth. This connection could lead to more effective anti-diabetes drugs, such as metformin, also being used to treat cancer. The study found that LKB1 plays a crucial role in preventing tumor growth by activating AMPK.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateSep 24, 2003
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Resistance exercise resets the body clock

Researchers found that resistance exercise can alter the expression of clock genes in human skeletal muscle, causing a phase shift similar to winding on (resetting) the muscle clock. This suggests that peripheral clocks can regulate themselves independently of the central clock.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateSep 24, 2003