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Science News for March 29, 2004


Streamlining the 'pythagorean theorem of baseball'

Researchers developed a simplified formula to predict team winning percentages, using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The new linear function works almost as well as the original Pythagorean theorem in predicting team performance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateMar 29, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A new spin on spirochetes

Researchers have discovered profound differences in the gene content of T. denticola, an oral pathogen associated with gum disease, compared to other spirochetes that cause syphilis and Lyme disease. The study's findings highlight the power of comparative genomics in understanding how related pathogens can cause different diseases.

SourceThe Institute for Genomic Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2004

Nanoparticles from the ocean and vehicle emissions

Research at UC Davis explores the effects of ocean nanoparticles and vehicle emissions on atmospheric conditions. The study aims to develop models for measuring and predicting nanoparticle transients in the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateMar 29, 2004

Why fashion-buying is central to the life of high street stores

A study led by Dr Joanne Entwistle highlights the importance of fashion buyers' knowledge in translating market identity into products. The research focused on a large department store's women's wear team, finding that building markets and consumers is essential for success.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMar 29, 2004

An alternative to bone-marrow donation

Researchers found that ES cell lines can restore blood cells, including immune systems, in mice without being rejected. This breakthrough has potential advantages over traditional bone marrow or blood donations, offering a renewable source with low risk of graft-versus-host disease.

SourceJournal of Experimental Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 29, 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.

Active lifestyle reduces risk of endometrial cancer

A study found that regular exercise, as well as routine activities like walking for transportation or performing household chores, can reduce a woman's risk of endometrial cancer. The research team assessed physical activity from various periods in life and found significant benefits for women with higher levels of physical activity.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·DateMar 29, 2004

Why AL batters get beaned more often

A recent study by mathematicians and economists found that National League pitchers are more likely to throw inside pitches, increasing the risk of hitting batters. This 'moral hazard' theory suggests that the rule's impact is not due to lower costs for NL pitchers, but rather their fear of retaliation when stepping up to bat.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateMar 29, 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.

Duke chemists describe new kind of 'nanotube' transistor

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new type of nanotube transistor that uses an electrically conducting polymer gate to reduce power demand and improve device performance. The innovation offers great promise for future electronic devices, including those even smaller than current models.

SourceDuke University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 29, 2004

Caustic soils at Hanford may lock up contaminants fast

Researchers found that caustic soils at Hanford can trap radioactive cesium and strontium, forming stable minerals like zeolites and feldspathoids. This discovery may aid in remediation efforts by slowing down the migration of toxic waste into groundwater.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateMar 29, 2004

Bizarre attractive force found in mayonnaise

Scientists at Rice University have discovered an attractive force in mayonnaise using the phenomenon of negative normal stress. This finding has significant implications for the development of new emulsions and dispersions with practical applications.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 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.

Enlisting carbon nanotubes to unmask nerve agents

Researchers developed a disposable sensor using carbon nanotubes and enzymes to detect OP nerve agents. The sensor can detect traces of up to 5 parts per billion, making it a promising tool for identifying toxin exposure.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateMar 29, 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.

Angiogenesis gene linked to biomarkers in breast cancer

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have found a link between the HOXB7 gene and increased activity in breast cancer biomarkers. The study shows that the gene is overexpressed in more than 60% of breast cancer cell lines and 90% of primary breast cancers.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateMar 29, 2004

Coal source of jet fuel for next generation aircraft

Researchers at Penn State have created a thermally stable coal-based jet fuel, provisionally designated as JP900, which can absorb significant amounts of heat and remain stable up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This fuel has potential benefits in reducing engine deposits and improving cold weather performance.

SourcePenn State·DateMar 29, 2004

Environmental and dietary influences on cancer risk

Studies show that exposure to environmental carcinogens can cause DNA damage in the womb, increasing cancer risk. The fetus is more susceptible to genetic damage than the mother, highlighting the need for preventive policies.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateMar 29, 2004

Study points to a promising new test for myelodysplasia, a blood disorder often leading to leukemia

A new DNA test using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy has been developed to identify patients with myelodysplasia (MDS) or those at high risk of developing the disease. The test is highly predictive and can distinguish MDS patients from those with non-malignant bone marrow disorders.

SourcePacific Northwest Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 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.

Learning how to erase electronic paper

Jeanne E. Pemberton's research reveals that changing the electrical charge on electronic paper affects how well ink sticks, enabling the development of reusable tablets. The study uses the 'emersion' method to analyze molecular interactions at the interface between liquids and solids.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateMar 29, 2004

Snake venom may power-out bloodstains from clothes

A study found that a component of snake venom can help remove stubborn bloodstains from clothes, with fibrinolytic enzymes facilitating the breakdown of blood protein fibrin. Researchers successfully tested the enzyme on blood-stained denim swatches, showing significantly fainter stains after treatment.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 29, 2004

Surgery cuts cardiac arrests among those with rare heart disorder

A 40-minute surgical procedure called left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) reduces the risk of cardiac arrest and fainting episodes in people with long QT syndrome, a rare heart disorder. The study found that LCSD surgery reduced cardiac events by 91 percent compared to pre-surgery rates.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMar 29, 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.

Acrylamide in food: Unraveling exposure and risk

New studies examine acrylamide levels in foods such as potato chips, breads and cereals. Researchers have found that cooking conditions influence acrylamide levels, with some foods showing low levels despite popular assumption.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 29, 2004

Pesticide detection on a chip

Scientists at UC Davis create a novel fluorescent assay for detecting pesticides on a chip, utilizing lanthanide oxide nanoparticles as a reporter. The approach has the potential to improve pesticide detection in environmental testing and other fields.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateMar 29, 2004

Tiny machines need even tinier lubricants

Researchers have found that alcohols, which are not typically considered good lubricants, can work effectively in tiny machines. The discovery could lead to the development of gas-delivered liquid thin films that regenerate sensors and allow recycling of air bag mechanisms, improving efficiency and reducing power dissipation.

SourcePenn State·DateMar 29, 2004

Powerful stem cells harnessed to search for cancer metastasis

Researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel approach to gene therapy that harnesses mesenchymal progenitor cells (MSC) to target cancer metastasis. The strategy has shown promising results in animal studies, with MSC gene therapy curing up to 70% of mice implanted with human ovarian cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateMar 29, 2004
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Soy consumption could help prevent prostate cancer and male pattern baldness

A study found that equol, a natural metabolite from soy isoflavones, blocks the effects of DHT without altering testosterone levels, reducing prostate size in rats. This molecule may offer a treatment for BPH and prostate cancer, as well as promoting healthy skin and hair growth.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalBiology of Reproduction·DateMar 29, 2004

Regardless of race, pain feels pretty much the same

A recent study published in The Journal of Pain found that women are more sensitive to pain than men, while African-Americans and Whites report similar levels of pain when using standardized rating scales. Researchers tested 135 participants aged 25-45 and used modified rating scales to account for cultural differences.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Pain·DateMar 29, 2004

Study: Mimicking viruses may provide new way to defeat them

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a potent way to shut down viruses by introducing harmless molecules that mimic the virus's growth machinery, outperforming traditional antiviral strategies in inhibiting viral growth and creating drug-resistant strains.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateMar 29, 2004

Undergraduate research experience advances education

A Virginia Tech undergraduate, Cindy Schreiber, developed a PCR machine that rapidly identifies mismatched base pairings and mutations in DNA samples. The machine also automates the process, making it more efficient and cost-effective for high school and undergraduate labs.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateMar 29, 2004
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Monkey virus may hold clue for development of common blood cancer

Researchers found a strong association between monkey virus DNA and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, suggesting the virus could play a role in its development. The study suggests that targeting the virus could help prevent its development and offers new therapeutic strategies.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateMar 29, 2004
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.