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Science News Archive 2004


Page 94 of 135

Jennie Hunter-Cevera wins 2004 USFCC/J. Roger Porter Award

Jennie Hunter-Cevera is a renowned microbiologist who has made significant contributions to the field through her innovative techniques for isolating and screening microorganisms. Her work has led to the discovery of new species, enzymes, and products, including antimicrobial, anticancer, and novel herbicidal properties.

Historian reveals identity badges, not cards, were compulsory in the 1600s

In the 16th century, identity badges were issued to the poor as a stamp of approval and to prevent begging. The badges were designed to distinguish those deemed deserving from unworthy individuals. By the late 17th century, badging became compulsory in England, with penalties for those who refused to wear them.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ferré-D'amaré wins 2004 Eli Lilly and Company Research Award

Ferré-D'Amaré's groundbreaking research on RNA crystallization and ribozymes has significantly advanced the understanding of molecular structures in living organisms. He developed new techniques to obtain RNA crystals, enabling detailed studies of RNA-protein interactions and biochemical functions.

Research links magnetism, gamma-ray burst phenomenon

The study reveals that strong magnetic fields accelerate particles near the speed of light, radiating as gamma rays. The research suggests a new mechanism for gamma-ray burst formation, potentially resolving long-standing scientific debates.

Discovery helps explain how cells package DNA

Researchers at Ohio State University have made a breakthrough in understanding how cells package DNA, with implications for cancer research and new therapies. A newly discovered protein, Hif1p, works with an enzyme complex to add histone proteins to DNA, forming chromatin.

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.

Campbell wins 2004 Abbott-ASM Lifetime Achievement Award

Campbell's work on bacteriophage lambda demonstrated the relationship between its genome and host, leading to key findings in genetic and biochemical studies of site-specific recombination. His extensive contributions also include discovery of nonsense mutations, bacterial gene regulation, and microbial population dynamics research.

Alice S. Weissfeld wins 2004 bioMérieux Sonnenwirth Award

Weissfeld's work on policy issues has had a significant impact on the profession of clinical microbiology. She chairs ASM's Professional Affairs Committee and serves on various committees reviewing legislation affecting microbiology laboratory practice.

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.

Enoxaparin prevents stillbirth in pregnant women with clotting disorder

A study of 160 pregnant women with genetic risk factors for thrombophilia found that enoxaparin significantly reduced pregnancy loss compared to low-dose aspirin. Women taking enoxaparin had a normal live birth rate of 86% and healthy newborns, while those on aspirin suffered more pregnancy losses.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Gene mutations predict which lung cancers will respond to Iressa

Researchers at MGH Cancer Center found that specific gene mutations in the EGFR gene predict responsiveness to Iressa, a targeted therapy that causes tumors to shrink significantly. The discovery will help determine which patients benefit from Iressa and potentially lead to new targeted therapies.

Early signs that adult bone-marrow stem cells could regenerate brain tissue

A recent study by Dr. Edward Scott and colleagues found that donor cells containing a Y chromosome were present in the brains of three women up to 6 years after bone marrow transplantation. This suggests that bone marrow could be used as a therapeutic source of readily harvestable cells for nerve cell regeneration.

Merging hearing technologies sounds good to researcher

King Chung's research shows that combining hearing aid technologies with cochlear implants reduces background noise, enhances speech understanding, and improves sound quality. Cochlear implant users prefer conditions with advanced hearing aid preprocessing.

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.

Science in the clouds

Researchers use a NASA WB-57 research jet to examine icy cirrus clouds, aiming to understand their warming and cooling effects on Earth's climate. The Middle Latitude Cirrus Experiment gathers detailed information to improve computer simulations of future climate change.

Smoking increases papillomavirus risk in HIV-infected women

HIV-infected women are 3.9 times more likely to have HPV infection at the outset of the study, and smoking significantly increases this risk. Smoking and HIV infection may each alter the natural history of HPV infection to heighten tumor risk.

Researchers describe long-perplexing 'magic spot' on bacteria

Researchers have discovered a molecule called ppGpp that plays a crucial role in regulating bacterial gene expression and survival. When amino acid levels are low, ppGpp accumulates and shuts down protein synthesis, allowing the cell to go dormant until conditions improve.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Technique plucks rapidly evolving genes from a pathogen's genome

Researchers developed a novel method to pinpoint rapidly evolving genes in pathogens, revealing potential drug targets for tuberculosis and malaria. The technique analyzes genome sequences to identify genes under selective pressure, allowing for the discovery of previously unknown genes.

Mid-life heart disease risk factors linked to dementia in late-life

Researchers linked mid-life heart disease risk factors to increased dementia risk later in life. The study of over 11,000 participants found that those with four key risk factors had nearly three times the chance of developing dementia compared to those with none. Presence of each risk factor added a 20-40% greater risk for developing ...

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.

What it Takes: Design principles to broaden participation in SET

The report evaluates nine effective programs and eleven that warrant further research, highlighting the importance of defined outcomes, sustained commitment, personalization, challenging content, engaged adults, and educators' roles. These design principles aim to increase participation in STEM fields among underrepresented groups.

Study: Height loss screen ultimately could reduce hip fractures

A recent study found that height loss of between 2-3 inches increases the risk of hip osteoporosis by nearly fourfold. Researchers suggest a simple evaluation of height can help physicians decide whether patients should undergo a bone density scan to check for osteoporosis.

Increased HIV risk for women with violent male partners

A South African study found that women experiencing gender-based violence are more likely to contract HIV due to abusive partners imposing risky sexual practices. The research highlights the need for effective interventions to address social constructions of masculinity and intimate partner violence in relation to HIV risk.

HIV transmission is heightened during acute infection

Research found a direct correlation between viral levels in blood and semen, with acutely infected individuals being hyper-infectious before symptoms occur. Transmission rates during heterosexual sex are likely to be much higher than previously thought during this period.

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.

Researchers developing radar technology to detect mold behind walls

Scientists at Georgia Tech Research Institute are developing a non-destructive radar system to detect mold behind walls, which can emit harmful compounds and cause serious health issues. The goal is to create a handheld prototype that can map mold and help contractors pinpoint damaged areas.

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.

Presence of gene mutation tightly linked to drug effectiveness in lung cancer

Researchers found a high correlation between EGFR mutations and sensitivity to gefitinib therapy in lung cancer patients, particularly in women and non-smokers. The study also revealed significant differences in response rates between Japanese and American patients, suggesting genetic variation plays a crucial role in drug effectiveness.

Delayed care may affect prostate cancer deaths in blacks

A study found that black men with prostate cancer are more likely to die from the disease due to delayed or inadequate care, particularly those without other diagnosed illnesses. The researchers suggest that cultural and social factors contribute to this disparity.

Genetic sequence identified for anti-bacterial sea slug protein

Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center have identified a genetic sequence for the anti-bacterial protein Escapin found in sea slugs. The protein prevents bacteria from growing on surfaces, making it a potential solution for preventing biofilm formation and associated problems.

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.

Dental disease hits hardest among older blacks

A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that periodontitis is more prevalent among older blacks than whites or Mexican-Americans, regardless of income or education levels. The researchers suggest historical factors such as unequal opportunities contribute to this disparity.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ecstasy users get advice from friends and web… not parents

A study of 304 young adult users found that friends were the most important source of information about MDMA, followed by websites like DanceSafe.org. Younger and more educated users relied on the internet for information, while parents, mainstream media, and radio were considered less accurate sources.

Cranberry juice may reduce risk of female urinary tract infections

A study suggests that regular doses of cranberry juice or tablets can reduce the risk of female urinary tract infections (UTIs) by up to 50% in sexually active adult women. Cranberry juice's effectiveness in treating existing UTI cases is still unknown, but it offers a potential natural alternative to antibiotics.

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.

U.S. oils can protect concrete bridge tendons during construction delays

A Penn State study has found that six domestic oils provided adequate corrosion protection for concrete bridge tendons in various test environments. The top-performing products from the study, including Citgo Cutting Oil NC 205 and Shell/Texaco Dromus ABD, will undergo further testing to examine their bond and ultimate flexural capacity.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Northwestern Memorial tests 'pacemaker' for stomach

The Northwestern Memorial Hospital is testing a stomach 'pacemaker' system that reduces hunger and helps obese patients lose weight. The system, manufactured by Transneuronix, uses electrical stimulation to induce feelings of fullness.

Survey shows new Mayo Clinic treatment for intractable low blood pressure

A new study from the Mayo Clinic found that pyridostigmine improves standing blood pressure without increasing blood pressure when lying down, offering a safe treatment option for patients with orthostatic hypotension. The study involved 29 patients who were satisfied with the drug's effects, with 17 taking it as their primary treatment.

Veterans have increased risk of ALS

A recent study found that men who served in the military were 60% more likely to develop ALS than men who did not serve. The study also revealed that military service prior to the Gulf War was associated with an increased risk of ALS, suggesting a potential link between military service and the development of this debilitating disease.