Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2004


Page 68 of 135

Study: Religious activity equals less sex, drugs for some teens

A new study suggests that high levels of church attendance in the ninth grade may protect some African-American teenagers from engaging in risky behaviors throughout their high school career. The research found that more religious activity in the ninth grade was associated with smaller increases in marijuana use among boys and cigarett...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

University of Chicago scientists pinpoint cellular cause of SIDS

Researchers define two groups of pacemaker neurons driving breathing rhythm, with calcium channels playing critical role in gasping mechanism. Under hypoxia, sodium-driven pacemakers become essential for baby's survival, suggesting a potential link to SIDS risk factors.

Guidelines for food allergy testing

Researchers recommend performing oral food challenges on children with at least a 50-50 chance of passing, based on IgE antibody levels less than 2.0 kilounits per liter of blood. This guideline aims to reduce unnecessary avoidance of common allergenic foods and improve the accuracy of food allergy diagnosis.

Tracing a killer's path in Lou Gehrig's disease

Researchers found that the mutant SOD1 protein selectively migrates to spinal cord mitochondria, triggering apoptosis and cell death. This mechanism provides potential insight into how ALS-linked mutations cause degeneration in affected tissues.

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.

Old galaxies in the young universe

Researchers used ESO's Very Large Telescope to identify four massive elliptical galaxies at a redshift of 1.6-1.9, dating back to around 3,500 million years ago. These galaxies have ages between 1,000 and 2,000 million years and masses in excess of one hundred thousand million solar masses.

Anti-cancer agent built from anti-inflammatory drug

Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new anti-cancer agent, OSU-03012, which inhibits Akt and induces programmed cell death in cancer cells. The agent has shown potent activity against various types of cancer, including leukemia and breast and lung cancers.

Saving the most vulnerable brain cells in stroke

Researchers have found a new therapeutic target for stroke by blocking calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, which cause neuronal death. Introducing a form of GluR2 that renders AMPA receptors impermeable to calcium protects vulnerable neurons from ischemia.

Glimpse at early universe reveals surprisingly mature galaxies

A recent study has revealed surprisingly mature galaxies in the early universe, contradicting the long-held hierarchical model of galaxy formation. The Gemini Deep Deep Survey found that a large fraction of stars in massive galaxies were already present at 8 billion years old.

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.

New company to develop next-generation sunscreens

Researchers at Newcastle University are developing a new type of sunscreen that protects against sun-induced DNA damage, a major cause of skin cancer and ageing. The company, DNAcare Systems, aims to introduce a DNA rating for all sunscreens to reduce skin cancer cases.

ESA awarded new SEEDS grant

The Ecological Society of America has awarded a new SEEDS grant to increase diversity in ecology. The program will expand existing activities, including undergraduate research fellowships and field trips, to reach more students from African American, Latino, and Native American communities.

$1.6 million grant to Williams College

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded Williams College a $1.6 million grant to enhance science education and research opportunities for students, faculty, and local communities. The award will support programs such as elementary school outreach, high school laboratory exercises, and student summer research initiatives.

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.

Tuning the nanoworld

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new method to create branched nanostructures by combining quantum dots and segmented nanorods. These structures can be tailored for various electronic applications, including quantum computing and artificial photosynthesis.

Hormone wants to keep body at weight set point

Researchers found that ghrelin was significantly elevated with weight loss in exercising subjects, indicating a potential role for ghrelin in returning the body to a prior set-point for body weight. The study suggests that exercise training itself has little impact on ghrelin levels.

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.

Macrophages, not stem cells, correct liver disease by fusion

Researchers at OHSU's Oregon Stem Cell Center have discovered that macrophages, not stem cells, can fuse with diseased liver cells to correct genetic liver disease in mice. This finding suggests that transplantation of macrophages alone may be a more targeted and effective treatment approach than traditional stem cell therapy.

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.

New compound 'highly efficacious' at reducing human tumour growth

A novel compound called ZK-CDK has been shown to inhibit both tumour cell growth and angiogenesis in human cancer cells. The compound was tested on mice models and found highly efficacious, particularly in slow-growing hormone-independent breast and prostate tumours.

Opinion leaders influence repeat Caesarean rates

Current studies suggest opinion leaders and national guidelines have significant effects on vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) rates. However, research is inconclusive on the impact of legal factors, doctor characteristics, and insurance type. The study found no good evidence that litigation or legislative mandates influence VBAC rates.

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.

Cough medicines no better than non-medicated placebo syrup for children's coughs

A study published in Pediatrics found that over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine were no better than a non-medicated placebo syrup in providing nighttime relief for children with coughs. The study showed significant improvements in symptoms regardless of treatment, suggesting that natural hist...

Harnessing DNA-based technology for drug discovery

Researchers have developed a genetic code that enables the evolution of synthetic molecules, revolutionizing drug discovery. By creating a library of nonbiological origin compounds, scientists can identify novel drugs and disrupt cellular processes.

RICE gets $1.1m from DOD to study neurofibromatosis

Researchers at Rice University have received a four-year, $1.1 million grant to develop a fruit fly model for neurofibromatosis and test key proteins as potential drug targets. The team aims to understand how signaling proteins regulate NF tumor growth.

New study shows phonics is critical for skilled reading

A new study published in Psychological Review suggests that teaching phonics to young children is essential for developing skilled reading skills. The research model, designed by Mark Seidenberg and Michael Harm, learns to read like children and demonstrates the importance of combining phonics with visual methods.

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.

Newer form of heparin drug of choice

The meta-analysis of 22,000 patients found that enoxaparin was more effective than unfractionated heparin in preventing combined rates of death or heart attack. However, the difference was not significant for major bleeding or transfusion rates.

Parental control of media influences behavior

Parents who monitor their children's movie and video-watching habits and prohibit R-rated movies have a profound impact on reducing the chances their children will try smoking. Only 3 percent of kids who were never allowed to watch R-rated movies tried smoking, compared to 14 percent of those who frequently viewed such movies.

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.

EC boosts European electron microscopy research

The 3D-EM Network of Excellence aims to image macromolecules and molecular machines at atomic resolution, fostering innovation in European EM research. The network will provide training, a structural database, and user-friendly software to enhance structural analysis.

Other highlights in the July 7 JNCI

A new study found that most phase I studies of targeted, non-cytotoxic anticancer agents used traditional toxicity endpoints to determine the recommended dose, while non-traditional endpoints were rarely incorporated. Researchers also identified a potential mechanism for acrylamide's mutagenicity and discovered genetic polymorphisms as...

UCSD team determines cellular stress within body is critical

A UCSD research team found that a specific transcription factor plays a crucial role in cells' ability to adapt to osmotic stress, which can lead to immune system dysfunction and cancer progression. The study's findings offer new possibilities for developing drugs to treat autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, and cancer.

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.

Technology could enhance accuracy of breast biopsy

Researchers are developing a new technology that uses fiber-optic probes to analyze tissue properties at the needle tip during breast biopsies. The probe can provide structural information, increasing the likelihood of taking a sample from the correct site and potentially reducing missed diagnoses.

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.

Frequent tanners may be lured by the 'feel-good' effects of UV light

Research involving 14 young adults found that those who used tanning beds with artificial UV light experienced greater relaxation and lower tension compared to those without UV exposure. The study suggests that the release of endorphins in response to UV light may contribute to the reinforcing effects of tanning.

UNC research accelerates discovery of novel gene function

Researchers at UNC have developed a high-throughput technique to rapidly analyze gene functions, resolving two bottlenecks in the process. This method has the potential to accelerate the development of new drugs by quickly identifying and testing candidate genes.

Self-confidence, future goals deter teen pregnancy

Research suggests that girls with low confidence in themselves and their educational future, as well as those from families with lower education levels, are more likely to become pregnant. Encouraging academic success and supporting young people's aspirations could help reduce teen pregnancy rates.

Children see televised violence despite parent monitoring

A recent study of 677 families found that children's exposure to violent TV content is more common than previously thought, particularly among younger children and mothers. Parents' monitoring practices decreased with increasing child age, highlighting the need for continued education on media management and violence prevention.

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.

Bacterial toxin may protect infants from asthma

A US study of nearly 500 infants found that higher levels of endotoxin in the home were associated with a lower risk of developing eczema during their first year of life. Infants living in homes with dogs also had a reduced risk of eczema, but this relationship was weakened when adjusting for endotoxin exposure.

Survival strategies in nature

Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology gained new insights into chemical signaling within plants after herbivore attack, highlighting the value of genetically modifying plants to study complex ecological interactions. Transgenic Nicotiana attenuata plants were found to attract novel herbivore species despite being defe...

Imaging technology may be used to diagnose melancholic depression

Research using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy found reduced cortical GABA levels and increased glutamate in melancholic depression patients, a subset of major depressive disorder. The study adds to evidence suggesting both GABA and glutamate systems contribute to mood disorders' pathophysiology.

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.

Tau Ceti system, Asteroid Alley - an inhospitable neighbour

The discovery of a disk of dust and comets around Tau Ceti suggests that this star is likely to experience constant bombardment from asteroids, making it difficult for life to evolve. Scientists will have to rethink where they look for civilisations outside our Solar System.