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Science News for April 22, 2004


Hopkins scientists overcome main obstacle to making tons of short, drug-like proteins

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have overcome a major obstacle to creating large libraries of drug-like peptides. By modifying naturally occurring amino acids with a methyl group, they can produce up to 10 billion stabilized peptides in a single reaction. This breakthrough enables the rapid testing of potential medicines and has s...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateApr 22, 2004

Fat cell hormone causes weight loss

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a fat cell hormone, adiponectin, that can cause weight loss in mice by increasing their metabolic rate. This finding has far-reaching potential to help treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 22, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Something old, something new

Researchers Drs Sun and Arceci find that loss of PASG gene results in reduced genomic methylation and premature aging in mice. The study reveals a potential model for studying aging and epigenetic regulation, with implications for cancer predisposition and therapeutic targeting.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateApr 22, 2004

Bye-bye Bio 101: Teach science the way you do science

Researchers at HHMI argue that supplementing lectures with active learning strategies leads to better understanding and success in science courses. The study recommends revamping introductory courses, training scientists to teach, and changing the reward system to emphasize good teaching.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2004

Satellites act as thermometers in space, show Earth has a fever

Researchers used satellites to create an 18-year record of global land surface temperatures, confirming that snow-free land surfaces have warmed. The satellite data provides a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of climate changes and will improve computer modeling.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateApr 22, 2004
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Smoking linked to more than 60 percent of overall cancer death burden in black men

A study found that tobacco smoke exposure is responsible for more than half the non-lung cancer death rate in African-American males, and up to two-thirds of their overall cancer death rate. The excess cancer burden can be clearly linked to smoking, with significant declines in mortality rates observed when smoking declined.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateApr 22, 2004

Multinational team of scientists finds early life in volcanic lava

A multinational team of scientists has found microscopic life colonized in ancient volcanic lava dating back nearly 3.5 billion years. The discovery was made in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, a location that was previously thought to be inhospitable for life.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2004

Discovery offers clues to origin of life

A research team found mineralized tubes and DNA associated with microbial activity in ancient basaltic glass samples, suggesting that microbes colonized the early oceanic crust. The discovery provides clues to the origin of life on Earth.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2004

Concern for European public health as EU border extends to the east

The EU's new eastern border raises concerns about the growth of communicable diseases in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Public health systems have struggled to respond to these challenges, and a global response is needed to strengthen health systems and prevent disease spread.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 22, 2004

Outbreak of skin infections sheds light on risk factors for bacterial resistance

A 1999 outbreak of furunculosis in rural Alaska identified individuals with MRSA who received more antibiotics, highlighting a link between antibiotic use and increased risk of skin infections. The study found that Panton-Valentine leukocidin virulence factor was present in nearly all methicillin-resistant isolates.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateApr 22, 2004
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.

Challenges facing a changing rural America

The book Challenges for Rural America in the 21st Century examines rural social change, economic transformation, and policy implications. Key findings include unevenly spread gaming benefits, elder care challenges, and the need for rural communities to adapt to a decentralized system.

SourceCornell University·DateApr 22, 2004

Promising diagnostic test for sleeping sickness

A new diagnostic test using proteomic signature analysis has been developed to accurately diagnose sleeping sickness. The test showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.6%, offering a promising solution for early detection and treatment.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 22, 2004
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

NSF grant to preserve electronically published research

Cornell University Library will collaborate with Göttingen State and University Library in Germany to develop an online archive of digital mathematics serial publications. The project aims to provide long-term access to e-research literature and serves as a model for similar efforts in other disciplines.

SourceCornell University·DateApr 22, 2004

UF study: Sibling violence leads to battering in college dating

A University of Florida study found that sibling violence is a predictor of dating violence, particularly among those who experienced physical abuse as children. The survey of over 500 participants revealed that siblings who were abused or perpetrated violence towards each other were more likely to engage in abusive behavior in their r...

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateApr 22, 2004

CellCept's cardioprotective profile reinforced

A new study further reinforces CellCept's cardioprotective profile, demonstrating lower rates of coronary artery disease in patients treated with CellCept compared to azathioprine. This finding could explain the superior survival benefits observed with CellCept.

SourceKetchum UK·DateApr 22, 2004
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.

Four new research centers to explore link between oceans and human health

Four new research centers will bring together experts in biomedical and oceanographic sciences to study the effects of harmful algal blooms, marine pathogens, and the oceans' potential for drug discovery. The centers will accelerate scientific discovery and develop new sensors for early warning systems.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateApr 22, 2004

New Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health established

The Woods Hole COHH will research how oceanic processes affect human pathogens, focusing on temperate coastal ocean distribution and persistence. The center aims to address public health threats from harmful algal blooms and contaminated coastal waters.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateApr 22, 2004

Genome-wide screen reveals new tricks of old genes

A genome-wide screen reveals new functions for old genes associated with chromosome cohesion, a process keeping chromosomes together until cell division. The study identified 17 genes involved in this critical aspect of genetic material manipulation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateApr 22, 2004
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.

Scientists correct cystic fibrosis defect in mice with turmeric extract

A team of researchers has successfully corrected a genetic defect responsible for cystic fibrosis in mice using turmeric extract. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, was able to release the mutant CFTR protein from an inappropriate compartment inside the cell and allow it to function normally.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2004

Rate of ocean circulation directly linked to abrupt climate change

A new study reveals that a slowdown in ocean circulation was directly tied to sudden and dramatic changes in climate. The research found that the Atlantic Ocean's north-south overturning circulation played a crucial role in regulating regional temperatures.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2004