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Science News for February 23, 2004


MCOs shortchange minority Medicaid patients

A recent study by Penn State researchers found that Minority Medicaid patients face barriers to quality care due to language and cultural factors. The study analyzed responses from 49,327 adults in 14 states, revealing significant disparities in care reports among linguistic minorities.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 23, 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.

Fiber intake from fruits and cereals may reduce risk of coronary heart disease

A study analyzing pooled results of several studies found that dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, or grains may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. The research showed a significant decrease in coronary heart disease risk for cereal and fruit fiber intake.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2004

UNC study may improve gene therapy safety

Researchers found that viruses used for gene delivery can influence gene expression, with AAV affecting genes minimally and adenovirus triggering broader responses. The study provides a systematic explanation for the relative safety profiles of two commonly used gene therapy vector classes.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 23, 2004

Fuel-cell microbes' double duty: treat water, make energy

A single-chambered microbial fuel cell prototype has been developed to efficiently treat wastewater and generate electricity. The design reduces energy demands and creates a continuous flow-through system, making it a promising approach for affordable wastewater treatment.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateFeb 23, 2004

University of Delaware lays keel for new research vessel

The University of Delaware has launched a new, 146-foot coastal research vessel to replace its aging ship, Cape Henlopen. The vessel will feature state-of-the-art modular design and clean operation, meeting international underwater noise standards.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateFeb 23, 2004
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study compares clinical diagnoses and autopsy diagnoses in ICU deaths

A study of 1,492 ICU patients found that major discrepancies between clinical and autopsy diagnoses exist, with up to 31.7% of cases identified as having major diagnostic errors. Autopsies also revealed missed diagnoses, including cancers, strokes, and heart attacks, which could have changed management and potentially saved lives.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2004

Despite confinement, crop genes can spread fast to wild

Researchers used mathematical models to investigate transgene escape from confined crops, finding a high probability that leakage can occur sooner than expected. The study suggests that even with effective containment strategies, genes can still spread to wild populations within a relatively short time frame.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEcology Letters·DateFeb 23, 2004

Women who were sexually abused as children more likely to smoke

A study published in Addictive Behaviors found that women who were sexually abused as children were 3.8 times more likely to be current smokers, with twice the likelihood of ever smoking cigarettes and starting by age 14. The connection between childhood sexual abuse and smoking may help inform new approaches to prevent or quit smoking.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAddictive Behaviors·DateFeb 23, 2004
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.

Tip sheet for the February 24, 2004 Neurology

Researchers found that brain atrophy was detected on MRI more consistently than decline on cognitive tests or rating scales in patients with PCNSL. The study also examined the risk of stroke associated with triptan use in migraines, finding no increased risk.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 23, 2004

Computer method identifies potentially active enzymes

A new computer method called FamClash has been developed to predict the activity of hybrid enzymes, which are created by combining similar enzymes from different organisms. The approach identifies incompatible residue pairs that can lead to reduced enzyme activity, and provides valuable insights for protein engineering interventions.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2004

Number of children linked to obesity for mom and dad

A recent study from Duke University Medical Center reveals that having children increases the risk of obesity for both mothers and fathers. The research, published in the Journal of Women's Health, analyzed data from over 9,000 Americans and found that each additional child raises the risk of obesity by 7% for women and 4% for men.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateFeb 23, 2004
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.

Home on the RangeView

A new Web site allows users to compare greenness from one year to the next, between years, against a 14-year average and at two-week intervals. This information is invaluable for making long-term land management decisions, enabling natural resource managers to monitor vegetation dynamics through time and across landscapes.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateFeb 23, 2004

Purdue scientists: Genetically modified fish could damage ecology

Purdue scientists Rick Howard and colleagues discovered that genetically modified fish have a reproductive advantage, but their offspring are less likely to survive. This paradox could lead to a population dwindling in size and potentially disappearing entirely if not managed carefully.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2004

Antibiotics may not be necessary when treating children with a simple skin abscess

A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found that draining a skin or soft-tissue abscess and packing the wound with gauze is an effective therapy for simple skin abscesses in children, potentially reducing the need for antibiotics. The treatment was shown to be effective even when treating methicillin-resistant Staphyloc...

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateFeb 23, 2004

New discovery may lead to therapy for incurable blood cancer

A recent finding reveals a frequent abnormal cellular event occurring in about half of all myeloma cases, identifying c-maf as an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Inhibition of c-maf function blocks tumor formation in mice, suggesting its potential as a novel target for future therapies.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateFeb 23, 2004

USC researchers produce a hairier mouse

Researchers at USC have created a transgenic mouse with an overexpressed noggin gene, resulting in increased hair follicles, thicker fur, and additional whiskers. The study also reveals unusual changes to the mice's eyes, feet, and genitalia, challenging the distinction between normal and abnormal variations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateFeb 23, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Jefferson scientists unlocking secrets of cholesterol transport in body

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a complex of two proteins in the intestine that plays a crucial role in cholesterol transport. Treating mice with ezetimibe disrupts this complex, leading to impaired cholesterol absorption, suggesting new therapeutic possibilities.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 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.

Scientists watch 'movie' of neutron star explosion in real-time

Researchers watched the inner regions of an accretion disk, just miles from a neutron star's surface, change its structure in real-time. The observation provides new insight into the flow of a neutron star's accretion disk and could help study black holes and distant quasars.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 23, 2004

U of M researchers a step further in Type 1 diabetes treatment

Researchers have successfully treated individuals with Type 1 diabetes using a single infusion of islet cells, with recipients maintaining insulin independence for over one to three years. The new treatment approach uses optimized recipient immunosuppression and a novel anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateFeb 23, 2004

Study moves in on why astronauts suffer bone loss

Researchers have found that the lack of response occurs because IGF-I does not activate its receptor molecule on the surface of the cells, triggering a signaling feedback loop. Integrins, which regulate growth factors in other cells, are also impaired due to skeletal unloading.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateFeb 23, 2004