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Science News Archive 2004


Page 60 of 135

Lehmann lovegrass won't succumb to fire

Researchers at the University of Arizona found that Lehmann lovegrass, an invasive species introduced in the 1930s, remains unchanged despite controlled burns. The study suggests that fire is not effective in reducing the spread of non-native species, forcing land managers to explore alternative methods for controlling the invasive grass.

August 2004 Ophthalmology journal

The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study investigated the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in Latinos. The study also explored changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness after acute primary angle closure. Additionally, researchers examined the impact of cataract on frequency-doubling technology perimetry results.

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.

An exotic grass kills trees by hijacking their water

Researchers found that buffelgrass, an invasive non-native species, grabs water before foothill palo verde trees can, ultimately killing them. The grass reduces the available water to trees, exacerbating drought conditions and causing self-pruning, a natural defense mechanism for the trees.

MRI better than X-Ray for some traumatic hip fractures

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that MRI revealed more extensive fractures in patients with greater trochanteric fractures than X-ray imaging alone. This allowed for better treatment planning and informed decisions on surgical versus nonsurgical treatment.

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.

Ottawa's leadership in biomedical and health research has paid off

The federal government's investment in Canadian biomedical and health research has yielded significant results, including a 50% increase in licenses, 200% increase in income, and 40% increase in new spin-off companies. The funding has also led to increased international recognition and participation in global projects.

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.

Free electron laser reaches 10 kW

The US Navy has successfully upgraded its free electron laser to a record-breaking 10 kW power level, enabling new possibilities in manufacturing, medical research, biology, and basic physics. The upgrade marks a significant milestone in the FEL program's development and opens doors to various applications.

Cancer survival in Africa

In Harare, Zimbabwe, cancer survival rates are disturbingly low, with black patients facing significantly lower survival rates than white patients. The study's findings highlight the need for better access to early detection and treatment methods.

Blood pressure hormone may inhibit growth of lung cancer

Researchers found that angiotensin-(1-7) significantly slows the growth of three human lung cancer cells in laboratory tests. The hormone is thought to regulate cell growth by reducing rapid proliferation and increasing cancer cell death, offering a potential new treatment approach for lung cancer.

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.

APS/IUPS launch PHYSIOLOGY bimonthly

Physiology aims to appeal to a broader audience with innovative features and artwork, showcasing the most up-to-date physiological research. The journal's design and editorial team are committed to making the content more accessible and readable.

A new advance in gallium nitride nanowires

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully controlled the directional growth of single-crystal gallium nitride nanowires, enabling precise tuning of their physical properties. This capability has significant implications for the development of high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Scientists able to harness 'plankton power'

Researchers have successfully harnessed energy from plankton using a new type of fuel cell, generating up to 10% of the energy associated with plankton decomposition. This technology could extend survey missions for months or years without battery replacements.

Hypnosis more helpful to men than women in quitting smoking

A review of 18 studies found that hypnosis-based smoking cessation programs were more successful for men than women, with a 7 percent advantage. Researchers suggest gender differences in quitting smoking may be the reason behind this disparity.

Catching a falling star

Astronomers at ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) recorded the spectrum of a bright meteor in 2002, providing insights into meteor emissions and atmospheric chemistry. The spectrum revealed telltale emissions of oxygen and nitrogen atoms and molecules, as well as constraints on the role of atmospheric chemistry when life started on Earth.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Isolated soy protein shown to benefit type 2 diabetics, study indicates

A new study shows that consuming isolated soy protein can slow down the progression of diabetic kidney disease and improve coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study found a significant reduction in urinary albumin levels and an improvement in HDL cholesterol levels among participants who consumed soy protein.

NIST's new way of 'seeing': A neutron microscope

Researchers developed a novel imaging process using neutrons, providing better resolution and penetration than visible light. The microscope has potential applications in biology, particularly with samples containing hydrogen.

Iron can have negative side effects on people with kidney disease

A new study suggests that iron therapy given to patients with kidney disease may have negative side effects, including exacerbating progressive renal damage. The study found that the level of toxicity depends on the type of iron formula used, highlighting a need for safer alternatives in treatment.

New study to investigate demise of coral reef ecosystems

A new project led by Newcastle University aims to examine the ecosystem consequences of bleaching on coral reefs. The research team will analyze changes in reef fish assemblages over five to 15 year time scales at sites in the Western Indian Ocean and Australia.

Ancient life form may help create newest technologies

Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a way to produce germanium nanocomposite materials using diatoms, single-celled algae found in ocean water. The method operates at room temperature and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective production of electronic devices.

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.

Save the rainforest - eat a tree

A University of Utah study found that insect consumption by insects keeps dominant tree species under control, allowing other trees to thrive. This increased diversity is crucial for the ecosystem's health.

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.

Why is Ian Kennedy's healthcare commission damaging NHS care?

The UK's Healthcare Commission, led by Ian Kennedy, has been criticized for its flawed star system and lack of transparency. The commission's ratings have been shown to be based on incomplete data and do not accurately reflect the quality of care provided by NHS Trusts.

Meteorite from Oman records its lunar origins, history

A meteorite from Oman has been precisely dated to 3.9 billion years ago, revealing its lunar origins and providing new insights into the moon's history. The discovery sheds light on the moon's evolution, including a key impact event that formed the Imbrium basin.

Synthetic prion causes neurological disease in mice

Researchers at NIH/National Institute on Aging created synthetic prions that caused neurological disease in mice, distinct from other strains of prions. The study sheds light on the conversion process leading to dementing diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Alzheimer's.

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.

Firefly compound lights up 'protein dance' in living animals

Scientists have developed a technique to detect protein interactions using firefly luciferase. The method was tested on human proteins interacting with the antibiotic rapamycin and showed accuracy and selectivity. The technique also demonstrated its potential in studying other protein pairs linked to cell life cycle regulation.

The beak of the squid

A new study reveals that Argonaute2 is the key enzyme responsible for RNAi-mediated messenger RNA cleavage in mammals. The findings suggest that Argonaute2 provides the 'Slicer' activity necessary for siRNA-targeted mRNA cleavage.

Urban heat islands make cities greener

Researchers found that urban areas can extend plant growing seasons by 15 days compared to rural areas. Urban heat islands also cause plants to bloom 3 days earlier in spring and last 8 days longer in the fall.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New hope for the estimated 300,000 Americans co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV

A groundbreaking study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that the combination of Pegasysα and Copegus significantly improved treatment response rates for patients co-infected with HCV and HIV. The study showed a sustained virological response rate of 40% among all patients, with even higher efficacy rates for those with genotypes...

Yale researcher finds pattern in maintaining weight loss

A Yale researcher found six common patterns among women who successfully maintained weight loss for at least a year. These patterns involve recognition of problems, taking control of behavior change, and incorporating new habits and support systems.

Financial breaks encourage adoption of cardiovascular guidelines

A study found that financial incentives encouraged Hawaii's 13 hospitals to implement a cardiovascular guidelines program, which led to improved follow-up care for patients with cardiovascular disease. The program resulted in significant improvements in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in Hawaii.

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.

AGU journal highlights - 29 July 2004

Scientists have discovered a unique bi-modal distribution of particles in noctilucent clouds, which may be caused by atmospheric gravity and tidal waves. The San Andreas Fault Observatory project aims to drill into the fault zone to better understand earthquake generation and faulting processes.

Studies show tacrolimus is more effective than pimecrolimus

A new study has compared the efficacy of tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream in treating atopic dermatitis. The results show that tacrolimus ointment worked better for all severities of atopic dermatitis, including mild sufferers and severe patients. The six-week study involved 1,056 patients, aged 2 to 15, with mild to severe AD.

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.

Prion finding offers insight into spontaneous protein diseases

Scientists at UCSF created a large fragment of the normal prion protein, which they then folded into an abnormal shape to induce infection. The study demonstrates that misfolding a particular segment of the normal prion protein is sufficient to transform it into infectious prions. This finding provides new insights into spontaneous pri...

Whale carcass yields bone-devouring worms

Researchers find two new species of worm that feed on whale bones, using symbiotic bacteria to digest fats and oils. The worms, Osedax frankpressi and Osedax rubiplumus, are closely related to hydrothermal vent worms and have unique features such as feathery plumes and green roots.

Encouraging progress towards early identification of anthrax inhalation

Researchers found specific features like nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status were more frequent in inhalational anthrax cases. Mediastinal widening or pleural effusion on a chest X-ray were the most accurate predictors of anthrax. Studies using prospectively collected data are needed to corroborate or modify these findings.

Combining radiation modalities increases

A new study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers found that combining three therapeutic modalities increases the percentage of high-risk patients who are free from recurrence after five years. A three-pronged approach that included brachytherapy, external beam radiation therapy and hormonal therapy produced an 86 percent rate ...

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.

UW researcher links storytelling and mathematical ability

A study found that preschool children's storytelling skills are linked to their later math abilities, particularly their ability to relate events and switch perspectives. The research suggests that building strong storytelling skills early on may help prepare children for math when they enter school.

U of T research answers key question in biochemistry

Researchers characterized intermediate states in protein folding at an atomic level, a crucial step towards predicting protein structure and improving drug design. This breakthrough could help understand errors in folding linked to diseases like cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Epilepsy: Signals 'brake' in brain impaired

A team of researchers found that impaired Kv4.2 ion channels in neurons can lead to increased excitability and seizure frequency in epilepsy. Inhibiting the ERK enzyme may provide a new therapeutic target for treating this condition.

Couples live together for convenience, not to test marriage

A recent study by Ohio State University's Sharon Sassler found that most people who live together do so due to financial reasons, convenience, or housing needs. Couples rarely cite getting married as the primary reason for cohabiting, instead citing factors like attraction and practicality.

Brookhaven lab biophysicist F. William Studier wins R&D 100 award

F. William Studier develops a new method that simplifies the production of proteins in parallel, allowing for efficient biomedical research and industrial production of proteins for various applications. The new autoinduction system enables automatic protein production without human intervention, leading to increased protein yields.

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.