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Science News Archive June 2004


Page 3 of 12

New honorary doctor: Joseph Juran—world nr 1 in quality development

Luleå University of Technology honors Joseph Juran for his impact on the field of quality work. The university's Section for Quality and Environmental Leadership is a well-known entity across Sweden, with Juran's influence evident in its extensive activities and largest production of Ph.D.s.

Common chemicals morphing into potential toxins in Arctic

Researchers discovered a previously unknown reaction that converts fluorotelomer alcohols into perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the atmosphere, which can last up to 20 days. The chemicals were found in polar bear liver tissue samples and may pose developmental risks to humans living in the Arctic.

AGU journal highlights - 23 June 2004

Scientists explore new explanations for auroral lights, elephant communication, and the impact of volcanic eruptions on global climate change. Researchers analyze electron interactions with nitric oxide molecules and propose a new method for monitoring small-scale flow variations in the Earth-space boundary.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cassini VIMS team finds that Phoebe may be kin to comets

Researchers analyzed Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data, revealing water ice, minerals, and unidentifiable materials on Phoebe's surface. This suggests a possible connection between Phoebe and comets, supporting the idea that it may be similar to Kuiper Belt Objects.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Anorexia nervosa often chronic, study finds

A study published in Psychological Medicine found that 35% of women with anorexia nervosa relapsed into the disorder within two years of leaving the hospital. The mean time before relapse was 18 months, highlighting the need for improved relapse prevention treatments.

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.

Dark days doomed dinosaurs, say Purdue scientists

Researchers analyzed fossil records and found dinoflagellates in ancient sea, indicating a sudden cooling event. The team's discovery confirms climate models and suggests prolonged feedback effects kept ocean depths cold for centuries.

The mother lode of mutations

Researchers discovered 68 maternal mutations in zebrafish that may help understand human infertility and birth defects. These mutations affect early embryonic development, including cell divisions and tissue patterning.

Simple test can help detect common lung disease

Early detection of COPD through a simple spirometry test can slow the loss of lung function, improve symptoms and quality of life, and prevent hospitalizations. Smoking cessation is the only known method to alter the loss of lung function seen in this disease.

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.

Tiny iron supplement has chilling effect

A small amount of iron adds 15-30% to the effective cooling capacity of a material, enabling improved near-room-temperature applications. The iron supplement eliminates hysteresis losses, allowing the material to perform at its peak potential.

NASA scientists get global fix on food, wood & fiber use

Humans annually require 20% of land-based plant growth for food and fiber, with regional consumption varying greatly. Large urban areas consume significantly more than local production, while sparsely populated areas like the Amazon have low consumption rates.

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.

Food for thought

A study using FDG-PET imaging found that brain metabolic activity increases in response to food stimulation, making it harder for those more sensitive to food to diet. The findings may lead to innovative treatment options for eating disorders.

Study sheds new light on genetic risk for Parkinson's disease

Researchers found a moderate association between the APOE-2 gene and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, with a 20% higher chance. In contrast, the APOE-4 gene was not linked to Parkinson's disease, contrary to its established role in Alzheimer's risk.

Hospital standards for high-risk surgeries save lives

A U-M study found that hospitals meeting Leapfrog quality standards for high-risk surgeries can save thousands of lives. Implementing these standards would reduce mortality rates for procedures like open heart surgery and angioplasty.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Clinical judgement still counts strongly alongside genetic testing

A one-year study found that specialists in dysmorphology are recognized by their peers for knowledge and authority, despite the increasing use of genetic testing. Laboratory tests do not replace clinical expertise, but rather complement it with techniques such as photographs and family trees.

People cocooning more, says study

A study by University of Toronto PhD student Glenn Stalker found that Canadians spent 34% of their spare time alone at home in 1998, up from 28% in 1986. Time spent with friends and family at home also decreased by five percent during the same period.

'Mighty mouse' gene works the same way in people

Researchers found a naturally occurring mutation in a child's myostatin gene, resulting in twice the normal muscle mass. The discovery provides hope for agents blocking myostatin activity to increase muscle mass in humans.

As stem-cell debate heats up, public still uninformed and undecided

A recent study found that the public's opinions on stem-cell research are heavily influenced by poll questions and messaging, with support for embryonic research being lower than expected. The study suggests that the debate is ongoing, with supporters seeking to capitalize on recent events like Ronald Reagan's death.

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.

The space simulator –– modeling the universe on a budget

The Space Simulator, a $500,000 Beowulf cluster, has achieved remarkable performance in astrophysics simulations, calculating the evolution of the Universe and studying massive star explosions. Its low cost and scalability make it an ideal tool for specific research applications.

Rapid urbanization in China warming region's climate faster than other areas

A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that China's rapid urbanization has led to a significant increase in the region's surface temperature, with a mean rise of 0.09 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1979. The nighttime low temperatures have also risen faster than daytime high temperatures, resulting in an ...

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.

Energy conservation targets hit by notions of 'comfort'

A study found that people increasingly expect standardised temperatures and levels of ventilation, driving industry trends towards air conditioning. Design decisions early on shape future comfort regimes, suggesting a need for changes throughout the design process to promote sustainable environments.

UK small firms pay lip service to green issues

A study found that UK small firms often prioritize short-term gains over sustainability, with many believing it's not a priority for customers. The research suggests regulatory measures may be necessary to drive change within the sector.

PET provides non-invasive index of carotid plaque inflammation

Researchers discovered a correlation between FDG uptake in PET scans and degree of plaque inflammation in patients with moderate to high-grade carotid stenoses. The study's findings offer hope for improving stroke risk prediction and developing new plaque-stabilizing drugs.

NCAR releases new version of premier global climate model

The Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) predicts higher global temperatures if societies continue to emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. With improved accuracy, CCSM3 will be used to study climate patterns and chemical processes, shedding light on the impacts of climate change.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

To understand innate immunity, silence the genome

Researchers Edan Foley and Patrick O'Farrell silenced over 7,000 Drosophila genes to investigate the Immune deficiency pathway, revealing new molecules involved in signaling. Their findings provide insight into complex molecular interactions underlying innate immunity.

UW Health Sports Medicine Center weighs in on body fat

A new study by UW Health Sports Medicine Center uses a four-component model to measure body composition and predict minimum weight for athletes. The findings have important implications for high school and college wrestlers, as well as the national fight against pediatric obesity.

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.

Web searchers don't tune in with radio buttons

A study analyzing 3 million records from Alta Vista in 2002 found that consumers who used the interface had fewer queries per session and used fewer terms per query. The researchers suggest that radio buttons can help with information overload, but widespread adoption is hindered by technical issues and lack of individual site use.

Inadequate vaccines can help breed more vicious malaria strains

A laboratory-based study suggests that inadequate vaccines could lead to the emergence of more virulent malaria strains, potentially making them more dangerous to non-immunized populations. The research found that immunity accelerates the evolution of virulence in malaria parasites, even after mosquito transmission.

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.

Floods policy is more than a knee-jerk response to crisis

Research finds that flood policy shifts are often driven by prevailing attitudes, technological resources and social values, not just crisis responses. Policymakers must consider these complex influences when planning for future events.

Use of estrogen does not reduce risk of dementia in older women

Research suggests that estrogen therapy does not reduce the risk of dementia in older women. The study found a 76% increased risk for probable dementia among those taking estrogen compared to placebo. Hormone therapy also increased the risk of mild cognitive impairment and decline in global cognitive function.

Next best thing: wood chip bedding for cattle

Researchers found that wood chip bedding had less nitrogen loss during composting, reducing volatile losses and improving air quality. Greenhouse gas emissions were similar to those of traditional straw bedding, making it a viable option for beef cattle.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Brick chimneys can double as strong-motion sensors in earthquakes

A new study suggests the Seattle fault played a role in causing damage to unreinforced brick chimneys in West Seattle and Bremerton after the 2001 earthquake. The research found that areas with heavy chimney damage experienced stronger shaking, indicating the fault may have acted as a megaphone to amplify seismic waves.

Researchers induce temporary blindness to learn more about vision

Researchers induced temporary blindness in six volunteers with normal vision to study how the brain processes visual information for basic eye movements. The results show that part of the older visual system still functions by encoding visual information unconsciously.

Controlling ADHD

Researchers used SPECT imaging to measure dopamine transporter binding in 18 adult ADHD patients. Those with high levels of binding showed significant improvement on Ritalin, while those with reduced binding did not respond to the drug.

Common 'signature' found for different cancers

Researchers found a common genetic signature consisting of 67 genes that are abnormally expressed in all cancers. These genes are involved in cell cycle and proliferation, making the discovery logical despite its difficulty.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Seafloor surface geometry may determine volcanic activity

Scientists at Columbia University's Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory have made new discoveries about the formation of underwater mountains along the Mid-Ocean Ridge. They found that the height and width of these mountains are highly correlated to the direction the ridge and connecting plates move across the planet's surface.

Infertility treatment affects oral health

A study suggests that women undergoing infertility treatment who have periodontal disease may experience higher levels of gingival inflammation and bleeding, which could impact the success of fertility treatments like ovulation induction medication. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to prevent these issues.

Wireless nanocrystals efficiently radiate visible light

Researchers developed wireless nanocrystals that emit visible light by pumping them with a nearby quantum well, improving efficiency over traditional fluorescent bulbs. The process produces white light through varying the size of quantum dots, paving the way for more efficient white-light-emitting diodes.