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Science News Archive December 2004


Page 5 of 12

Impact of repeated abuse can be as severe for bystanders as victims

A study by Penn State researchers reveals that repeated abuse can have a significant impact on bystanders, causing moderate to severe psychological and physiological repercussions. The study found that bystanders experience elevated emotional arousal when recalling past episodes of abuse, similar to victims.

Oxidants link obesity to diabetes

Researchers found that apocynin reduced ROS production in fat cells, restored adipocytokine production, and improved diabetes. Accumulated fatty tissue is a major source of ROS in obesity, acting as an early trigger of metabolic syndrome.

Brain region identified that controls collecting behavior

Neurology researchers have identified an area in the prefrontal cortex that controls collecting behavior, revealing a potential link to hoarding disorders. Damage to this region can lead to abnormal hoarding behavior, interfering with daily life and causing individuals to resist discarding collected items.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research demystifies quantum properties of exotic materials

Researchers from Rice University and international teams found a collapse of Fermi volume in quantum critical matters, leading to new insights into exotic electronic properties. This discovery may provide routes to new classes of material and shed light on high-temperature superconductivity.

Free nicotine patches increase short-term smoking quit rates

A study found that offering free nicotine replacement patches increases short-term quit rates among smokers, attracting more participants to cessation programs. The researchers saw a 37% increase in program involvement and a 27% increase in short-term quit rates after providing the patches.

NHLBI statement on oral contraceptive study

Recent research analysis finds no significant link between oral contraceptive use and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. The NHLBI emphasizes the importance of randomized controlled trials for establishing scientific evidence, citing biases and errors in exploratory analyses.

Requip tablets treat symptoms of primary RLS

A study shows Requip significantly improves symptoms of primary RLS, including improvements in sleep and quality of life. Patients treated with Requip experienced greater improvements compared to those taking placebo.

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.

Study models impact of anthrax vaccine

Researchers developed a probability model to predict how many cases of anthrax could be prevented under varying conditions. The study found that antibiotics distributed within 6 days after exposure and taken for 60 days can prevent up to 70% of anthrax cases.

JCI table of contents, December 15 2004

Individuals with obesity produce more toxic oxygen molecules that lead to changes in fat-derived hormones and contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome. Treatment with antioxidants reduces ROS production and improves diabetes symptoms.

NASA scientists discuss giant atmospheric brown cloud

Scientists studied intercontinental smog ozone processes associated with the brown cloud over South Asia using a new NASA technique combining satellite and balloon data. The study found that both brown cloud pollution and natural processes contribute to unhealthy levels of ozone in the troposphere.

NSF grant to Rice will fund Math Leadership Institute

The NSF grant will fund the Math Leadership Institute at Rice University, aiming to improve high school math instruction in Houston and Aldine ISD. Lead teachers will receive intensive training and support to develop leadership skills and provide effective math instruction techniques.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NSF funds Panikov's Alaskan Tundra Microbial Observatory project

The project aims to present evidence for the existence of ultra-psychrophiles in sub-freezing environments like Alaskan permafrost. The research has broader impacts, including more reliable climate predictions and development of efficient biocatalysts for below freezing temperatures.

Queen's biologist awarded Canada's top science prize

Dr. Smol, a renowned environmental scientist, has made significant contributions to the field of paleolimnology through his research on long-term environmental change. His work has been recognized with the Council's highest honour, the Herzberg Gold Medal, and $1 million in funding.

£15 million cancer research coup

A team of Cardiff University researchers has secured a £15 million grant to explore DNA damage and disease. The group aims to unravel the complexities of how cells maintain their chromosomes, ultimately establishing cancer risks for individuals and designing new anti-cancer drugs.

How platelets help cancer invade other tissues

Research demonstrates that platelet aggregation and the release of LPA support bone metastases in breast cancer. Inhibiting platelet activity with Integrilin or targeting LPA signaling may slow tumor growth and reduce metastasis.

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.

NASA helps visually impaired students touch the sun

A new NASA book, 'Touch the Sun,' allows visually impaired students to explore solar science through embossed color pictures, Braille, and large-print descriptions. The book features 16 photographs of the sun and space weather, selected by Dr. Joseph Gurman and Steele Hill.

Earth's safe zone became hot during legendary solar storms

The Van Allen Radiation Belt Slot, considered a safe zone, filled with concentrated radiation during the October and November 2003 solar storms. The radiation surge was the most intense ever observed in this region, posing significant risks to spacecraft.

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.

Return of the Staphylococcus aureus 'superbug'

Researchers analyzed 829 S. aureus strains from Rotterdam and found three major and two minor genetic clusters, mirroring UK study results. However, the new study identified hypervirulent clones associated with serious infections in healthy carriers.

Three Yale scientists receive Ellison Medical Foundation awards

Yale researchers, Jorge Galán, Ruslan Medzhitov, and John Carlson, have been awarded $3 million to investigate Campylobacter jejuni and its impact on the immune system. The funding will support their work in understanding infectious disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.

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.

INEEL-designed system assists army with chemical weapon destruction

The INEEL-designed Munitions Assessment System processes drums containing multiple chemical munitions, using digital radiography and computed tomography to identify chemical fill. The system also includes portable isotopic neutron spectroscopy for accurate chemical analysis.

Safety of childbirth after C-section examined

A multicenter study found women attempting vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) face increased risk of maternal morbidity and serious obstetric complications. Conversely, elective repeat cesarean delivery shows lower risks for these complications.

Where the brain harbors unconscious fears

Researchers found that people with higher anxiety tend to react more quickly to fearful faces, indicating heightened emotional vigilance. The study also pinpoints the basolateral region of the amygdala as crucial for unconscious processing of threats.

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.

Exploring ocean life and color on the internet

A new NASA tool called Giovanni allows high school and college students to access and analyze satellite-derived ocean color data, providing insights into ocean biology. The tool uses chlorophyll patterns to study phytoplankton growth and its connection to El Nino/La Nina events.

New microscope boost for UK nanotechnology research

The new AEM will enable researchers to gain new insights into the interrelationships between atomic arrangement and material properties. It will support projects in fuel cell research, magnetic nanostructures, smart coatings, semiconductor quantum dots and biomedical research.

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.

NASA's aura satellite sheds new light on air quality and ozone hole

Aura is providing unprecedented spatial resolution to monitor global pollution production and transport, offering new insights into climate changes and the recovery of the Earth's protective stratospheric ozone layer. The satellite's instruments study tropospheric chemistry and provide daily global monitoring of air pollution.

Gene vaccine for Alzheimer's disease shows promising results

UT Southwestern researchers developed a gene-based vaccine to stimulate immune systems against amyloid protein, reducing plaque buildup and cognitive loss in mice. The study aims to create a safe and effective Alzheimer's vaccine that can prevent or slow disease progression.

Dwarf mistletoe reveals its sexual secrets

Dwarf mistletoe has an extreme water-pump seed ejection system that fires seeds up to 20 meters. This discovery could aid disease control by targeting the unique characteristics of dwarf mistletoe reproduction.

New study shows how mad cow prions hitch a ride into intestine

Researchers found that infectious prions can survive digestive juices and cross the human intestinal barrier by linking with ferritin, an iron-storing protein. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into the mechanisms of prion transmission and may lead to the development of methods to block prion uptake.

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 pathway identified in angiogenesis

Scientists have discovered a way to manage angiogenesis by stimulating monocytes with GM-CSF, which produces soluble receptors that inhibit the formation of new blood vessels. The approach could provide a new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

UCSB makes important advances in studies of retinal detachment

Researchers have discovered cellular changes in animal retinas that occur in human retinal detachments, implying experimental therapies could be effective. Oxygen therapy has been shown to reduce cellular damage and improve outcomes in animals, and further studies suggest it may also benefit humans.

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.

Fewer calories may slow Alzheimer's

Researchers found that a diet-restricted group of mice showed a 50% reduction in beta-amyloid plaques, a substance linked to memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted with collaborators at the University of South Florida, used mice with human genes altered for early onset hereditary Alzheimer's.

Stanford study finds new method improves chemotherapy survival in mice

A Stanford study found that infusing bone marrow cells from a donor mouse into laboratory mice before chemotherapy can significantly improve their ability to fight infections and survive. This new approach boosts neutrophil production, reducing the risk of neutropenia-related complications.

MIT team engineers new approaches to understanding malaria, more

Researchers at MIT used nanotechnology to study how malaria affects human blood cells, revealing new insights into the disease's impact. The study could lead to better treatments for malaria and other diseases by understanding how parasites affect cell behavior and function.

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.

NASA's ICESat satellite sees changing world affecting many

Scientists are using NASA's ICESat satellite to measure the height of dynamic features such as ice sheets, glaciers, forests, and clouds. The satellite's laser instruments provide unprecedented accuracy in measuring changes in elevation, including accelerated glacier movement in Antarctica and thinner ice on West Antarctic ice sheet.

NASA eyes ice changes around Earth's frozen caps

Scientists have found significant acceleration in the world's fastest glacier, Jakobshavn Isbrae, which nearly doubled its discharge of ice between 1997 and 2003. Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice has been declining at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing 9.2% per decade decline.

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.

FSU leads charge to modernize America's power grid

The Florida State University-led project aims to improve the nation's electric delivery system by identifying vulnerabilities and exploring new technologies, including superconducting materials. The initiative will also focus on making the grid more reliable and less susceptible to power outages caused by events like terrorism.

First blood test to diagnose paralyzing, blinding disease

A new blood test can accurately diagnose neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a debilitating inflammatory disease that destroys the protective myelin sheath around the optic nerve and spinal cord. Early diagnosis with this biomarker enables optimal therapies to be started sooner, potentially lessening the impact of the disease.

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.

Alcoholism and excessive food intake may share chemical pathways in the brain

New research suggests a link between galanin and alcohol consumption, as well as its effects on food intake. Galanin was found to increase voluntary alcohol intake in rodents, but not food intake. A galanin receptor antagonist also reduced alcohol drinking, suggesting a potential role for these compounds in treating alcohol dependence.

Mutant gene linked to treatment-resistant depression

A mutant gene that results in 80% less serotonin production has been identified in patients with unipolar major depression, with over 10% of cases carrying the mutation. The study suggests a potential molecular mechanism for aberrant serotonin function in neuropsychiatric disorders.