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Science News for January 15, 2004


GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

7-month-old is youngest recipient of artificial corneal transplant

A 7-month-old boy named Lukas received a groundbreaking artificial corneal transplant using the AlphaCor device, offering renewed hope for patients with high-risk traditional corneal transplants. The procedure's success marks a significant milestone in the development of this innovative technology.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateJan 15, 2004

Tanning devices - Fast track to skin cancer?

Sunbeds' tanning properties come with a high risk of skin damage, including DNA mutations associated with malignant melanoma. Experts recommend restricting sunbed use to those over 18 years old and accelerate skin aging.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPigment Cell Research·DateJan 15, 2004

Ebola outbreaks are simultaneous 'mini-epidemics'

A study by Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that simultaneous Ebola outbreaks consist of multiple viral strains originating from different areas. The authors recommend establishing a monitoring network to look for dead and dying large animals as an early warning system to minimize damage to both people and wildlife.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalScience·DateJan 15, 2004

Blood clot risk not treated preventively, study finds

A recent study found that patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) often did not receive prophylactic therapy in the 30-day period prior to their diagnosis. The researchers also noted that physicians frequently prescribed older treatment methods instead of evidence-based drugs, such as low molecular weight heparin.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateJan 15, 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 finds new antibiotic effective for diabetic foot infections

Linezolid has been shown to be effective in treating diabetic foot infections with a clinical cure rate of 81%. The drug can be given orally or intravenously, making it suitable for outpatient use. This approval may reduce hospitalizations and IV-related complications among patients with diabetic foot infections.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 15, 2004

Ebola virus a threat to great ape populations

The Ebola virus has unleashed several lethal epidemics in Central Africa, leading to haemorrhagic fever and high mortality rates. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses, resulting in a rapid decline in great ape populations.

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalScience·DateJan 15, 2004

Bone marrow–derived stem cells active in pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers have discovered that bone marrow-derived stem cells are present in the lungs of mice with pulmonary fibrosis. This finding suggests a new approach to treating the disease using stem cell therapy. Understanding how these stem cells engraft and interact with the lung tissue could lead to improved treatment outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 15, 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.

Long-awaited debate on school vouchers

The article presents a long-awaited debate on school vouchers, focusing on estimation and conceptualization in assessing the effects of vouchers. The authors, prominent scholars in social sciences, discuss the role of theory in experimental research and the limitations of field experimentation.

SourceSAGE·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateJan 15, 2004

Inhibition of Borrelia burgdorferi protein may reduce Lyme disease transmission

Researchers discovered that the alternative outer surface protein OspC facilitates Borrelia burgdorferi's invasion of tick salivary glands. Inhibiting OspC with antibodies can prevent B. burgdorferi from invading and transmitting to new hosts, offering a potential approach to reducing Lyme disease incidence.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 15, 2004

Progress in probing the mosquito's sense of smell

Scientists at Vanderbilt University have verified that female Anopheles mosquitoes contain receptors responding to one of the chemical compounds found in human sweat. This discovery may lead to better ways to repel deadly insects and uncover additional chemicals that either attract or repel them.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New method of distinguishing Alzheimer's from Lewy body dementia

Researchers have identified four key characteristics that reliably distinguish Lewy body dementia (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD). These include daytime drowsiness, falling asleep during the day, staring into space, and disorganized speech. The discovery aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of DLB.

SourceAmerican Medical Association·JournalNeurology·DateJan 15, 2004

Successful, rapid protein crystallization possible with technique developed by UCSD researcher

A new technique developed by UCSD researcher Virgil Woods employs DXMS to identify unstructured regions in proteins that interfere with crystallization. Removing these regions through 'molecular surgery' enables proteins to crystallize well, overcoming a major obstacle in structural genomics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2004
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.

Understanding nerve degeneration in spastic paraplegia

Researchers have found that nerve degeneration in spastic paraplegia is associated with abnormal mitochondria and impairment of axonal transport, highlighting a potential target for therapeutic interventions. The study suggests that preserving mitochondrial function may help prevent axonal loss in this devastating condition.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 15, 2004

New study finds evolutionary diversification in Hawaiian spiders

A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologist Rosemary Gillespie found that Hawaiian spiders diversified to fill a wide range of habitats on the Hawaiian Islands. The research suggests that evolution plays a key role in shaping communities on these islands, similar to mainland processes.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJan 15, 2004

Major risk factors identified for sudden infant death syndrome

A European study has identified major risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including prone sleeping positions and household smoking. These avoidable risk factors suggest a basis for further reductions in SIDS incidence rates through changes in infant sleep arrangements and environmental habits.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 15, 2004
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Mining for cosmic treasures with GEMS

The GEMS consortium presents the largest contiguous color image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, comprising over 40,000 galaxies. The team uses this image to investigate how large galaxies evolved over the last nine billion years.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·DateJan 15, 2004

Normal aging versus Alzheimer's disease and the potential for prevention

Research suggests that changes in brain chemistry are more likely responsible for memory problems associated with normal aging, rather than cell loss. Analyzing data from past studies and ongoing research, experts aim to find cost-effective ways to extend knowledge on maintaining general brain health.

SourceAmerican Medical Association·DateJan 15, 2004

JCI Table of Contents, January 15 2004

Researchers at Yale University demonstrate that OspC is critical for Borrelia burgdorferi's ability to invade tick salivary glands and be transmitted to humans. Meanwhile, studies on hereditary spastic paraplegia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis reveal potential new targets for treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 15, 2004

Study finds huge variability in vitamin E absorption

Researchers found that taking vitamin E supplements with food, especially those containing fat, increases its bioavailability. The study suggests that people may not be getting enough vitamin E from their low-fat diets.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 15, 2004
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Study pinpointing origins of Siberian peat bogs raises concerns

New research reveals that Siberian peat bogs originated suddenly around 11,500 years ago and have been absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide while releasing large amounts of methane. The findings suggest that thawing permafrost could release these trapped gases, leading to a significant shift in climate trends.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJan 15, 2004