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Science News for November 22, 2004


Obesity tied to increased risk for dozens of conditions

A new study reveals that obesity is tied to an increased risk for numerous health conditions, including life-threatening diseases like heart failure and serious illnesses like high blood pressure. The research also found a correlation between excess weight and various health complaints that reduce quality of life.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

Learning to cover up reduces risk of skin cancer

A systematic review by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services found that teaching children how to protect themselves from the sun can reduce risk of skin cancers. Younger children are more receptive to self-protective behaviors and benefit from sun-protection programs integrated into existing learning situations.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Risk of muscle-damaging disorder low for most commonly prescribed statin drugs

A study analyzing claims data from 11 managed care health plans found that the risk of rhabdomyolysis is relatively low with three frequently prescribed statins. The study suggests that patients taking statins and fibrates combined, such as those with diabetes mellitus, should be monitored for symptoms suggestive of rhabdomyolysis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 22, 2004

Washington University CubeSat readied for NASA/Air Force competition

The Washington University CubeSat, Bandit, is a small satellite that can dock with a medicine ball-sized mothership, making it ideal for inspection tasks. Developed by students and faculty, the satellite has the potential to disrupt spacecraft design with its innovative technology.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateNov 22, 2004

Acid-resistant bug doesn't give in to alcohol either

Researchers studying Acetobacter bacteria have discovered enzymes that resist acid, shedding light on potential treatments for diseases caused by misfolded proteins. The findings could lead to more stable proteins and environmentally friendly industrial processes.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateNov 22, 2004

System that regulates blood pressure may also affect aging

A study found that the renin-angiotensin system may be associated with physical function in older adults, and that ACE gene variants can affect exercise response. Additionally, researchers discovered a potential link between this system and cognitive impairment, suggesting new avenues for intervention.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateNov 22, 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.

Flies on crack

Researchers at NYU discovered a gene mutation, Lmo, that increases sensitivity to cocaine in fruit flies. The mutation affects the fly's internal clock, modulating sensitivity to cocaine within its cells.

SourceNew York University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Scientists discover air is heavier than we thought

Researchers have re-determined the content of argon in air, finding it to be approximately 0.9332%, very close to historical measurements made 100 years ago. This new value is significant for precision mass measurements, which require accurate corrections for air density.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalMetrologia·DateNov 22, 2004

Are animals as irrational as humans?

Researchers trained European starlings to choose between rich food sources and decoys, finding that 'irrational' preferences resulted from energetic state rather than cognitive mechanisms. The study warns against introducing confounding effects in nonbiological framework testing ideas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Studies suggest promising new directions for gallstone treatment

Researchers found that activating FXR can prevent gallstone formation by restoring balance of bile acids and phospholipids. The study suggests a potential new direction for diagnosis and prevention of cholesterol gallstone disease, with implications for patients who have had their gallbladders removed.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 22, 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-term obesity linked to loss of brain tissue in women

Long-term obesity is associated with a significant loss of brain tissue, particularly in the temporal lobe, increasing dementia risk. The study found that women with higher BMI experienced greater atrophy and increased dementia risk over time.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateNov 22, 2004

This is your fly's brain on drugs

Researchers identified Lmo mutants in Drosophila that showed increased response to cocaine, indicating a potential link between the fly's internal clock and drug sensitivity. The study found that Lmo-related proteins are present in key areas of mammalian brains, suggesting implications for understanding human addiction.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Study helps define headaches of whiplash

A study by Dr. Shrawan Kumar helps clarify the definition of whiplash by measuring neck muscle responses to low-velocity impacts. Turning the head reduces the risk of soft tissue injury, according to the research.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalClinical Biomechanics·DateNov 22, 2004
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Urban hospitals bear the brunt of motorcycle injuries

A nationwide hospital study found that urban teaching hospitals incurred nearly 70% of total charges for motorcycle-related cases in 2001. The majority of injured riders had longer stays and higher charges due to head injuries, with men accounting for 89% of motorcycle-related hospital discharges.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

Data support Americans' sense of accelerating 'time warp'; balance between work and family elusive

Research by Kathleen Gerson and Jerry Jacobs found that combined work hours of families, not individual work experience, reveal the time squeeze. Parents in two-income households cut back on joint working time to cope with pressures, but fathers actually work more hours when children are home.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·Journalسياقات اللغة والدراسات البينية·DateNov 22, 2004

Chronic back pain shrinks 'thinking parts' of the brain, study finds

A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that chronic back pain is associated with a significant decrease in gray matter volume in the brain, particularly in regions involved in processing information and memory. This suggests that proper treatment may reverse some of the brain changes caused by chronic pain.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateNov 22, 2004

Computer simulation shows how fibrils form

Researchers used computer simulations to visualize the formation of amyloid fibrils, similar to those found in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients. The study suggests that understanding how these fibrils form could lead to discoveries of how to slow or halt their growth.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2004

Researchers recommend vaccinating adolescents against whooping cough

The Global Pertussis Initiative recommends introducing universal adolescent vaccination programs and vaccinating certain target groups to enhance immunity. Adolescents are at risk of contracting whooping cough if they don't receive booster shots, making them a key population for vaccination.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateNov 22, 2004
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.

Family history predicts young women's risk of stroke

A positive family history of stroke increases young women's risk of both blocked and ruptured vessel strokes. High blood pressure and smoking are also strong predictors of rupture-risk, while diabetes and lack of exercise contribute to blockage-risk.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

What women want makes a difference

Researchers identified two new loci influencing female mate choice, favoring same-species mating over closely related ones. Genetic analysis shows female mating discrimination is inherited as a dominant trait, with genes linked to olfaction and X chromosomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2004

Antidepressants may increase risk of abnormal bleeding

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found a significant association between antidepressant use and risk of abnormal bleeding. The risk increased with the degree of serotonin reuptake inhibition, particularly for drugs with high levels of inhibition, which were associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk of bleeding events.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004
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.

Antioxidant supplementation may reduce incidence of cancer in men

A comprehensive study of 13,017 French adults found no significant reduction in cancer incidence with antioxidant supplements, but men showed a 31% lower risk of developing cancer than women. The researchers suggest that supplementation may be effective in men due to their lower baseline levels of certain antioxidants.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 22, 2004

Researchers develop digital technique for art authentication

Computer scientists capture data on pen stroke patterns and aesthetic signatures from artworks, revealing consistencies and inconsistencies within single pieces or among works by the same artist. The technique confirms what art experts have concluded about the authorship of certain paintings.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2004

Early results shed light on lung cancer screening advance

A recent pilot study found that only a minority of subjects received a diagnostic work-up according to published algorithms, and that larger nodule sizes were associated with lower use of biopsy for follow-up. Only 7% of subjects diagnosed with lung cancer within a year of the first positive screen.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateNov 22, 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.

Foreign companies exaggerated job targets, claims study

A new study by Newcastle University reveals that many foreign-owned plants in the North East England fell short of their promised job creation targets. The research team found that firms which received special financial assistance were more likely to achieve their employment goals, but those involved with Invest UK were less likely to ...

SourceNewcastle University·JournalOxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics·DateNov 22, 2004

Breast conserving therapy safe for hereditary breast cancer

Researchers followed 87 women diagnosed with BRCA mutations who underwent BCT and found no increase in cancer recurrence risk. However, more than half suffered a cancer-related event within ten years, including 37.6% with new cancers in the untreated breast.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateNov 22, 2004

What happens in the brain when we remember our own past?

A new fMRI study found that autobiographical memories engage different parts of the brain, even when recalling the same content. The study used 'diary' method to collect memories, revealing the frontal lobes involved in self-awareness and visual memory are more strongly activated for episodic memories.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateNov 22, 2004

'Self-cleaning' suits may be in your future

Researchers have developed a self-cleaning coating that can be permanently integrated into fabrics, reducing the need for dry cleaning. The coating uses silver nanoparticles to repel dirt and water, making it easier to clean clothes with less water and frequency.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateNov 22, 2004

UCLA brain researchers uncover new clues to SIDS

Researchers at UCLA have found that children with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) share similar brain responses to breathlessness. The study suggests that the irregular brain mechanisms provoking CCHS may also underlie SIDS.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateNov 22, 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.