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Science News for March 26, 2004


American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for April 2004 (first issue)

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk of nonvertebral fractures from high-dose inhaled corticosteroid treatment. Researchers also found greater acetaminophen use linked to newly diagnosed asthma in women. Air pollution exposure worsens cystic fibrosis patients' pulmonary exacerbations.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 26, 2004

U of T researchers one step closer to creating oral insulin

Researchers at U of T's Molecular Design and Information Technology Centre have created the first small molecules that bind to the insulin receptor, paving the way for oral insulin development. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for over two million Canadians with diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalBioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters·DateMar 26, 2004

Genome sequence reveals leaner, meaner intestinal parasite

Cryptosporidium is missing two critical organelles commonly found in related protozoan parasites, including the apicoplast and mitochondrion. This discovery provides valuable opportunities to study the organism's biology and develop targeted treatments.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Acid rain study reaches milestone, confirms soil nutrient depletion

A research team led by University of Maine scientists has documented that treating a watershed with additional acids accelerates the loss of critical nutrients calcium and magnesium. The experimentally induced nutrient depletion highlights the impact of acid rain on Maine's forests.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateMar 26, 2004

Pension security can't be solved by tighter regulations

A study comparing French and British pension systems reveals that France's ARRCO organization provides secure pension guarantees through a national umbrella structure. In contrast, the UK's reliance on private sector pensions has led to inadequate protection for women and vulnerable workers.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMar 26, 2004

Protein folding on a chip

A new method for determining protein structure uses a supercomputer chip to analyze forces between atoms, reducing computation time by a factor of 1000. This technique is particularly useful for studying proteins that are difficult to crystallize, allowing scientists to gain more insights into their functions.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateMar 26, 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.

Vitamins good for some older women/bad for others

Diabetic women carrying two copies of the haptoglobin-2 gene are at risk of accelerated artery narrowing when taking antioxidant vitamins C and E. In contrast, those carrying the haptoglobin-1 variant experience a decreased rate of atherosclerosis when taking these vitamins.

SourceAmerican Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology·JournalDiabetes Care·DateMar 26, 2004

Human genome-wide RNAi library for biotech and pharma research

A human genome-wide RNAi library has been developed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, enabling companies to identify and validate target genes for new drugs. The library targets over 10,000 human genes with sequence-validated short hairpin RNA molecules.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMar 26, 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.

Fetal heart monitoring ineffective at diagnosing cerebral palsy

Researchers found no signs of impending brain injury from fetal heart rate monitoring, highlighting the need for alternative diagnostic methods. White matter brain injury is a common cause of cerebral palsy, but current monitoring systems may not be effective in detecting it.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateMar 26, 2004

Bright light yields unusual vibes

Researchers observed that atoms vibrate and emit phonons, which do not dissipate quickly like usual, leading to potential new applications for a phaser device. The discovery may contribute to the development of a laser-like device that emits sound waves instead of light.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateMar 26, 2004