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Science News for May 20, 2004


Zinc therapy accelerates recovery from pneumonia

A double-blinded trial with 270 children aged 2 months to 23 months found that zinc therapy reduced severe pneumonia symptoms and signs, and overall hospital stay. Zinc also showed promise in reducing antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 20, 2004

Cells may shoot messenger to halt protein production

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a new biochemical mechanism that allows cells to quickly destroy messenger RNA molecules, regulating protein production. This discovery sheds light on the role of PMR1 enzyme in controlling mRNA degradation.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 20, 2004

Genomic imprinting in disruptive spermatogenesis

Research finds a correlation between disrupted spermatogenesis and abnormal genomic imprinting in men with low sperm counts. The study suggests that spermatozoa from oligozoospermic patients carry an increased risk of transmitting imprinting errors.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 20, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cutting back on cigarettes: when less is more

Researchers found that women who smoked fewer cigarettes took larger drags and produced more carbon monoxide in their exhaled air. This was especially pronounced among efficient smokers, regardless of ethnicity. The study suggests that cutting back on cigarettes may not be an effective quit strategy.

SourceOhio State University·DateMay 20, 2004

New research shows reasons for smoking vary

A new questionnaire, WISDM-68, has uncovered the diverse motivations behind smoking, including emotional attachment and automatic behavior. This measure helps understand tobacco dependence and points towards more individualized treatment for smokers.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·DateMay 20, 2004

Duke scientists identify new way to block blood vessels that feed cancer growth

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a protein called Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF-1) as the master switch that enables blood vessels to survive and nourish remaining cancer cells after radiation therapy. By suppressing HIF-1 with experimental drugs, they successfully inhibited tumor growth in animals.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateMay 20, 2004

Theory proposes new view of sun and Earth's creation

A new theory suggests that the Sun and Solar System formed in a turbulent environment, with massive stars influencing the development of planets. This vision could have profound implications for understanding planetary formation and life's origins.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2004
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.

Weekly cycles of once-daily anti-HIV drugs could reduce cost of HIV treatment

Researchers found that a weekly cycle of once-daily anti-HIV drugs can effectively treat HIV infection while reducing medication costs. The study involved eight patients who received a treatment regimen of 7 days on, followed by 7 days off, and maintained undetectable levels of HIV in their bloodstream for up to 84 weeks.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateMay 20, 2004

Strong magnetic field converts nanotube from metal to semiconductor and back

Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign used strong magnetic fields to alter the electronic structure of carbon nanotubes, converting them from metallic to semiconducting and back. This phenomenon was made possible due to the Aharonov-Bohm effect, which is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2004

OTC statins: A bad decision for public health

The UK government has rejected proposals to sell simvastatin over-the-counter for the primary prevention of heart disease due to financial reasons. This decision may increase inequalities as many people cannot afford the medication, which is currently prescribed to around 1.8 million people in the UK.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 20, 2004

The worldwide prevalence of glaucoma is increasing

Glaucoma is a group of disorders that progressively damage the optic nerve, affecting 66 million people worldwide. Early detection through comprehensive eye assessments, including optic disc examination, is crucial for limiting vision loss and advancing treatment. Current therapies can limit vision loss if identified in early stages.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 20, 2004
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.

Improving health care for children with special needs

Researchers developed a medical home improvement tool kit to help practices adopt the community-based model, which coordinates care through clinicians, educators, and caregivers. The program improved access to care, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes for children with complex conditions.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 20, 2004

Magnetic forces may turn some nanotubes into metals

Scientists found that semiconducting nanotubes' band gap shrunk steadily under strong magnetic forces, confirming quantum mechanical theories and shedding new light on carbon nanotubes' unique electrical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2004

Could global warming mean less sunshine and less rainfall?

Research suggests that global warming could result in a dryer and dimmer world as aerosol particles reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of radiation reaching the Earth's surface. This leads to weaker turbulent heat fluxes, resulting in reduced evaporation and precipitation.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 20, 2004

Poor kids' health insurance situation changes often, affecting their medical care, study finds

A study by Michigan Medicine found that over 5.7 million low-income children experience a transition in their health insurance each year, leading to postponed doctor visits and prescriptions. The study highlights the need for consistent coverage and minimized barriers to ensure these children receive needed care.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmbulatory Pediatrics·DateMay 20, 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 of Cape Cod Seashore finds off-road vehicles harmful to beach fauna

A recent study by URI graduate student found that off-road vehicles significantly impact beach ecosystems, with a 30-50% decrease in invertebrate populations on beaches where driving is allowed. The research highlights the importance of protecting the wrack line, which serves as a crucial habitat for many species.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·DateMay 20, 2004

Researchers discover protein that dissolves amyloid fibers

Researchers discovered a protein that dissolves amyloid fibers in yeast cells, which could have implications for understanding protein folding processes and the role of environmental factors in evolution. The finding also sheds light on the natural biology of Sup35, a protein involved in genetic translation.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2004

Zinc can help in the treatment of pneumonia

A zinc supplement reduced treatment time for severe pneumonia in children by an average of one day, with a corresponding decrease in hospital stay duration. The treatment was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, with significant implications for reducing antimicrobial resistance.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 20, 2004
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Cell division can be halted in multiple ways, with implications for cancer

Scientists at Brown University have identified two molecular mechanisms that trigger senescence in aging cells. The discovery of p16, a protein that operates independently from telomeres, provides new insights into the regulation of cell division and holds promise for the development of therapeutics to manipulate these targets.

SourceBrown University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 20, 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.

Cells of larynx may have significant immune functions

Research suggests that laryngeal immune cells have a crucial role in tolerating inhaled antigens, screening for cancer cells, and preventing asthma. The study aims to understand how the lining responds to acid reflux or LPR and explore new diagnostic tools and treatments.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateMay 20, 2004