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Science News for February 9, 2004


Early fevers associated with lower allergy risk later in childhood

A recent study found that children who experienced fewer fevers in their first year were less likely to develop allergies by age 6. Researchers discovered that fever-inducing infections involving the eyes, ears, nose, or throat appeared to be associated with a lower risk of developing allergies.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateFeb 9, 2004

Rectal cancer treatment gaps, especially for African Americans, seen in new study

African-Americans are more likely to have advanced stage cancer by the time it's diagnosed, and less likely to receive radiation therapy after surgery. Rectal cancer patients of any race still don't always receive optimal post-surgery care, highlighting a need for further studies to improve treatment guidelines.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateFeb 9, 2004

Making of mouse marks move toward 'mitochondrial medicine'

Researchers have successfully created a new kind of mouse by replacing its genetic material with that from another species, paving the way for studies on mitochondrial medicine. The goal is to improve treatment options for people with currently untreatable diseases, such as infertility, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 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.

Race may be a factor in treatment of rectal cancer patients

A recent study found racial disparities in the delivery of care to black and white rectal cancer patients. Black patients were diagnosed at a younger age and had more advanced disease, leading to differences in treatment outcomes. The study suggests that improved access to state-of-the-art surgical care for minority patients with recta...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateFeb 9, 2004

Death rates for certain complex surgeries lower at teaching hospitals

A study found that teaching hospitals have lower operative mortality rates for pancreatic, hepatic, and esophageal resections. Higher volume at teaching hospitals is a contributing factor to these differences in outcomes. The findings suggest that hospital structure and process variables play a role in variation in surgical outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateFeb 9, 2004

U.S. push for diesel poses risk to public health, scientists say

Scientists say that replacing gasoline-fueled vehicles with cleaner diesel technology could lead to a significant increase in surface ozone levels, particularly in the Southeast. The study found that pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons also increased, highlighting the need for more effective pollution control measures.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 9, 2004

New evidence points to pollution as main cause of much coral reef destruction

Scientists have long debated the causes of coral reef decline, but new research suggests pollution from land-based sources is a major culprit. A study in the Bahamas found that nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen, play a critical role in seaweed spread and destruction of coral reefs.

SourceHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institution·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateFeb 9, 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.

Depression may be a risk factor for heart disease, death in older women

A study of 93,676 healthy older women found that depressive symptoms are significantly related to cardiovascular disease risk and increased mortality rates. Women with depression were more likely to develop hypertension, have a history of stroke or angina, die from cardiovascular disease, and experience all-cause mortality.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2004

Survey shows impact of psoriasis is more than skin deep

A new survey reveals that people with psoriasis experience severe effects on self-confidence, work, and social life. The study found that three-quarters of those with severe psoriasis reported low self-confidence, while 48% of those with moderate psoriasis also suffered from it.

SourceKetchum UK·DateFeb 9, 2004

Genes influence memory in families with Alzheimer's disease

A study of 1,036 individuals from 266 families discovered that genetics significantly impacts memory performance, accounting for up to 80% of the variation. The influence of genes on memory abilities was stronger than previously thought and appears to be relatively unaffected by the presence of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 9, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Dry eye' in women may be linked to sex hormones

Women with premature ovarian failure experience higher rates of dry eye due to ocular surface damage, not reduced tear production. Sex hormones play a multifaceted role in maintaining healthy moisture on the eye's surface.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateFeb 9, 2004

Clozapine effective for controlling dyskinesias in people with severe Parkinson's

A clinical trial found that low-dose clozapine can reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in people with severe Parkinson's disease by around 50 percent. The study suggests that clozapine may mitigate the transmission of toxically high levels of levodopa, thereby reducing its potency and lessening the severity and duration of LIDs.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 9, 2004

Combining surgery with novel treatment may improve survival rates

Researchers found that a combination of surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) can increase survival rates for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The procedure, which delivers heated chemotherapy directly to the tumor site, has shown promise in improving quality of life and extending survival.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateFeb 9, 2004

Breast cancer vaccine study

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a telomerase peptide-based vaccine against breast cancer. The study aims to stimulate an immune response that can target and kill cancer cells, with the goal of improving patient health.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 9, 2004

Study examines inappropriate medication prescribing for elderly patients

A study examined trends in potentially inappropriate drug prescribing at ambulatory care visits among older adults from 1995 to 2000. The research found that pain relievers and central nervous system drugs made up most of the inappropriate prescriptions, with rates higher for patients with multiple prescriptions and women.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2004
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.

A shocking surprise: High voltage + rats = ozone, reopens power-line debate

A new study links high-voltage electromagnetic fields to the production of ozone in the air surrounding animals, potentially posing a health risk. The researchers found that rats exposed to corona discharge produced significantly higher levels of ozone than those without exposure.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalBioelectromagnetics·DateFeb 9, 2004