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Science News for February 17, 2004


Clinical trial of new TB vaccine begins

A new TB vaccine, rBCG30, is being tested in a human clinical trial to assess its safety and immune response. The vaccine, developed by Dr. Marcus Horwitz and his team at UCLA, has shown promise in preclinical trials and could potentially reduce the TB disease burden worldwide.

SourceAeras·DateFeb 17, 2004

Effectiveness of chickenpox vaccine decreases after one year

The study found that the chickenpox vaccine's effectiveness decreases significantly after one year, with 97% efficacy in the first year and 84% in subsequent years. The vaccine's effectiveness was lower for children under 15 months old, with a 73% efficacy rate.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 17, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Food-borne pathogen traced to lettuce

A 1998 Finnish outbreak was traced to contaminated iceberg lettuce grown on open fields with roe deer, which carry the Y. pseudotuberculosis pathogen. Researchers investigated and proposed prevention methods, including fenced fields and disinfection strategies.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 17, 2004

Stem cells found in adults may repair nerves

Researchers found that adult stem cells can repair nerves, but the process is slow and scar tissue hinders healing. The study suggests that manipulating stem cells and growth factors could stimulate nerve regeneration.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateFeb 17, 2004

The future of drug development

Researchers Hubbard and Love propose a new system for funding drug development, separating R&D and product markets. This could lead to greater openness in drug research, reduced prices, and expanded access to new medicines.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 17, 2004
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.

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for February 2004 (second issue)

A study of influenza vaccination in children with asthma found no significant reduction in asthma exacerbations caused by the flu. In contrast, a separate study showed that maternal and personal smoking synergize to increase airflow limitation in offspring, increasing the risk of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2004

Imaging technique reveals new structure in retinal cells

A new imaging technique reveals the presence of a previously unknown organelle called a retinosome, which houses retinyl esters essential to the regeneration process. The discovery could lead to better understanding and treatment of congenital blindness caused by defects in the retinoid cycle.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateFeb 17, 2004

Other highlights in the February 18 issue of JNCI

Two studies in the February 18 issue of JNCI investigated aspirin use and its association with two types of cancer. Regular aspirin use was found to lower Hodgkin's lymphoma risk, while patients with Barrett's esophagus may benefit from cost-effective aspirin therapy for esophageal cancer chemoprevention.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 17, 2004

Key advance reported in regenerating nerve fibers

Researchers developed a two-pronged approach to stimulate nerve cell growth and overcome inhibitory proteins, achieving triple the axon regeneration achieved with growth factors alone. The technique aims to restore vision and treat spinal cord injuries, strokes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·DateFeb 17, 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.

Tumor cell-specific therapy shows preclinical promise

Researchers developed a novel tumor cell-specific therapy that restores p53 protein function in cancer cells. This approach eliminates tumors and increases animal survival by up to six times, offering promising implications for targeted therapies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 17, 2004

Clinical research key in advance to prospective health care

A recent editorial by Ralph Snyderman emphasizes the importance of clinical research in advancing healthcare. The key element needed to define and monitor effective health strategies is clinical research, including translating basic scientific findings into medical treatments and evaluating patient outcomes.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 17, 2004

Insulin-producing cells found in a variety of tissues in diabetes

Researchers have discovered insulin-producing cells in various tissues in diabetic mice, which can be triggered by high blood sugar. The findings suggest that these cells could be harnessed to generate insulin-producing cells from other tissues, offering a potential breakthrough for diabetes treatment.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2004
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.

DHEA boosts growth rate of human neural stem cells

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that DHEA significantly increases the division of human neural stem cells, leading to increased neurogenesis. The study's findings provide direct evidence of DHEA's effects on critical human cells, shedding light on the hormone's potential benefits and risks.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2004

Point well taken

Researchers found that referential gesturing improves identification of targets and reduces verbal cues when participants can see each other. The study published in Psychological Science shows that pointing facilitates the use of verbal descriptions by focusing the audience's gaze on a specific subregion of shared visual space.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 17, 2004
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.

AGU Journal Highlights - 17 February 2004

Scientists found a possible link between increasing greenhouse gases and European heat waves, while also studying the transfer of energy from earthquakes through Earth's formations. Additionally, research revealed the Amazon River's strong impact on tropical Atlantic carbon levels and new insights into Martian drainage basins that may ...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 17, 2004

Now accepting nominations for the $2,500 M. Powell Lawton Award

The M. Powell Lawton Award recognizes significant contributions to gerontological treatment, practice, or service, as well as innovative public policy changes that improve the lives of older persons. Nominees must be endorsed by a GSA member and can be from any discipline.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateFeb 17, 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.