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Science News Archive 2004


Page 72 of 135

Growing replacement teeth and dental tissues

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in growing replacement teeth and dental tissues using tissue engineering techniques. The development of novel regenerative therapies could restore partial tooth tissue loss and minimize restoration failure with traditional dental materials.

Plane ticket taxes lower than airlines claim, study says

A recent study published in the Journal of Air Transport Management found that domestic airline ticket taxes add approximately 15% to average fares, contradicting airline executives' claims. The research analyzed millions of tickets and provides a definitive answer to questions about ticket tax burdens on air travel costs.

Mutant mice lead to memory insights

Researchers discover that drugs already being tested for cancer and Huntington's disease may help restore some memory capability to patients with RTS, a heritable disorder characterized by mental and growth retardation. The study found that restoring acetylation activity alleviates memory problems in mutant mice.

Evidence for fat hormone target in brain

Researchers found that leptin signaling is necessary for regulating body weight homeostasis in mice. The study revealed that leptin receptors on POMC neurons play a key role in this process, and their absence leads to increased fat mass.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New honorary doctor: Joseph Juran—world nr 1 in quality development

Luleå University of Technology honors Joseph Juran for his impact on the field of quality work. The university's Section for Quality and Environmental Leadership is a well-known entity across Sweden, with Juran's influence evident in its extensive activities and largest production of Ph.D.s.

Common chemicals morphing into potential toxins in Arctic

Researchers discovered a previously unknown reaction that converts fluorotelomer alcohols into perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the atmosphere, which can last up to 20 days. The chemicals were found in polar bear liver tissue samples and may pose developmental risks to humans living in the Arctic.

AGU journal highlights - 23 June 2004

Scientists explore new explanations for auroral lights, elephant communication, and the impact of volcanic eruptions on global climate change. Researchers analyze electron interactions with nitric oxide molecules and propose a new method for monitoring small-scale flow variations in the Earth-space boundary.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cassini VIMS team finds that Phoebe may be kin to comets

Researchers analyzed Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data, revealing water ice, minerals, and unidentifiable materials on Phoebe's surface. This suggests a possible connection between Phoebe and comets, supporting the idea that it may be similar to Kuiper Belt Objects.

Anorexia nervosa often chronic, study finds

A study published in Psychological Medicine found that 35% of women with anorexia nervosa relapsed into the disorder within two years of leaving the hospital. The mean time before relapse was 18 months, highlighting the need for improved relapse prevention treatments.

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.

Dark days doomed dinosaurs, say Purdue scientists

Researchers analyzed fossil records and found dinoflagellates in ancient sea, indicating a sudden cooling event. The team's discovery confirms climate models and suggests prolonged feedback effects kept ocean depths cold for centuries.

The mother lode of mutations

Researchers discovered 68 maternal mutations in zebrafish that may help understand human infertility and birth defects. These mutations affect early embryonic development, including cell divisions and tissue patterning.

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.

Simple test can help detect common lung disease

Early detection of COPD through a simple spirometry test can slow the loss of lung function, improve symptoms and quality of life, and prevent hospitalizations. Smoking cessation is the only known method to alter the loss of lung function seen in this disease.

Tiny iron supplement has chilling effect

A small amount of iron adds 15-30% to the effective cooling capacity of a material, enabling improved near-room-temperature applications. The iron supplement eliminates hysteresis losses, allowing the material to perform at its peak potential.

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.

NASA scientists get global fix on food, wood & fiber use

Humans annually require 20% of land-based plant growth for food and fiber, with regional consumption varying greatly. Large urban areas consume significantly more than local production, while sparsely populated areas like the Amazon have low consumption rates.

Food for thought

A study using FDG-PET imaging found that brain metabolic activity increases in response to food stimulation, making it harder for those more sensitive to food to diet. The findings may lead to innovative treatment options for eating disorders.

Study sheds new light on genetic risk for Parkinson's disease

Researchers found a moderate association between the APOE-2 gene and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, with a 20% higher chance. In contrast, the APOE-4 gene was not linked to Parkinson's disease, contrary to its established role in Alzheimer's risk.

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.

Hospital standards for high-risk surgeries save lives

A U-M study found that hospitals meeting Leapfrog quality standards for high-risk surgeries can save thousands of lives. Implementing these standards would reduce mortality rates for procedures like open heart surgery and angioplasty.

Clinical judgement still counts strongly alongside genetic testing

A one-year study found that specialists in dysmorphology are recognized by their peers for knowledge and authority, despite the increasing use of genetic testing. Laboratory tests do not replace clinical expertise, but rather complement it with techniques such as photographs and family trees.

People cocooning more, says study

A study by University of Toronto PhD student Glenn Stalker found that Canadians spent 34% of their spare time alone at home in 1998, up from 28% in 1986. Time spent with friends and family at home also decreased by five percent during the same period.

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.

'Mighty mouse' gene works the same way in people

Researchers found a naturally occurring mutation in a child's myostatin gene, resulting in twice the normal muscle mass. The discovery provides hope for agents blocking myostatin activity to increase muscle mass in humans.

As stem-cell debate heats up, public still uninformed and undecided

A recent study found that the public's opinions on stem-cell research are heavily influenced by poll questions and messaging, with support for embryonic research being lower than expected. The study suggests that the debate is ongoing, with supporters seeking to capitalize on recent events like Ronald Reagan's death.

The space simulator –– modeling the universe on a budget

The Space Simulator, a $500,000 Beowulf cluster, has achieved remarkable performance in astrophysics simulations, calculating the evolution of the Universe and studying massive star explosions. Its low cost and scalability make it an ideal tool for specific research applications.

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.

Rapid urbanization in China warming region's climate faster than other areas

A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that China's rapid urbanization has led to a significant increase in the region's surface temperature, with a mean rise of 0.09 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1979. The nighttime low temperatures have also risen faster than daytime high temperatures, resulting in an ...

Energy conservation targets hit by notions of 'comfort'

A study found that people increasingly expect standardised temperatures and levels of ventilation, driving industry trends towards air conditioning. Design decisions early on shape future comfort regimes, suggesting a need for changes throughout the design process to promote sustainable environments.

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.

UK small firms pay lip service to green issues

A study found that UK small firms often prioritize short-term gains over sustainability, with many believing it's not a priority for customers. The research suggests regulatory measures may be necessary to drive change within the sector.

PET provides non-invasive index of carotid plaque inflammation

Researchers discovered a correlation between FDG uptake in PET scans and degree of plaque inflammation in patients with moderate to high-grade carotid stenoses. The study's findings offer hope for improving stroke risk prediction and developing new plaque-stabilizing drugs.

NCAR releases new version of premier global climate model

The Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) predicts higher global temperatures if societies continue to emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. With improved accuracy, CCSM3 will be used to study climate patterns and chemical processes, shedding light on the impacts of climate change.

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.

To understand innate immunity, silence the genome

Researchers Edan Foley and Patrick O'Farrell silenced over 7,000 Drosophila genes to investigate the Immune deficiency pathway, revealing new molecules involved in signaling. Their findings provide insight into complex molecular interactions underlying innate immunity.

UW Health Sports Medicine Center weighs in on body fat

A new study by UW Health Sports Medicine Center uses a four-component model to measure body composition and predict minimum weight for athletes. The findings have important implications for high school and college wrestlers, as well as the national fight against pediatric obesity.

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.

Web searchers don't tune in with radio buttons

A study analyzing 3 million records from Alta Vista in 2002 found that consumers who used the interface had fewer queries per session and used fewer terms per query. The researchers suggest that radio buttons can help with information overload, but widespread adoption is hindered by technical issues and lack of individual site use.

Inadequate vaccines can help breed more vicious malaria strains

A laboratory-based study suggests that inadequate vaccines could lead to the emergence of more virulent malaria strains, potentially making them more dangerous to non-immunized populations. The research found that immunity accelerates the evolution of virulence in malaria parasites, even after mosquito transmission.

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.

Floods policy is more than a knee-jerk response to crisis

Research finds that flood policy shifts are often driven by prevailing attitudes, technological resources and social values, not just crisis responses. Policymakers must consider these complex influences when planning for future events.

Use of estrogen does not reduce risk of dementia in older women

Research suggests that estrogen therapy does not reduce the risk of dementia in older women. The study found a 76% increased risk for probable dementia among those taking estrogen compared to placebo. Hormone therapy also increased the risk of mild cognitive impairment and decline in global cognitive function.

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.

Next best thing: wood chip bedding for cattle

Researchers found that wood chip bedding had less nitrogen loss during composting, reducing volatile losses and improving air quality. Greenhouse gas emissions were similar to those of traditional straw bedding, making it a viable option for beef cattle.

Brick chimneys can double as strong-motion sensors in earthquakes

A new study suggests the Seattle fault played a role in causing damage to unreinforced brick chimneys in West Seattle and Bremerton after the 2001 earthquake. The research found that areas with heavy chimney damage experienced stronger shaking, indicating the fault may have acted as a megaphone to amplify seismic waves.

Researchers induce temporary blindness to learn more about vision

Researchers induced temporary blindness in six volunteers with normal vision to study how the brain processes visual information for basic eye movements. The results show that part of the older visual system still functions by encoding visual information unconsciously.

Controlling ADHD

Researchers used SPECT imaging to measure dopamine transporter binding in 18 adult ADHD patients. Those with high levels of binding showed significant improvement on Ritalin, while those with reduced binding did not respond to the drug.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.