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Science News for October 13, 2004


The brain science behind 'A beautiful mind'

Researchers at NYU used rhesus monkeys to test game theory predictions, finding that monkey behavior matched human behavior. The study's findings suggest the posterior parietal cortex plays a key role in decision-making.

SourceNew York University·JournalNeuron·DateOct 13, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Flies have morning and evening clocks

Researchers discovered that flies have two activity peaks due to dual circadian clocks, one governing morning activity and the other evening. The studies revealed that specific groups of neurons, including ventral lateral and dorsal lateral neurons, govern these peaks.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 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.

When looking isn't seeing: Is cockpit design flawed?

Research suggests that combining features into one object can improve reaction times, but this approach may not always work. Dr. Greg Davis's studies found that stimulation of a second brain pathway, the magnocellular-dorsal process, enhances performance for multi-object displays.

SourceRoyal Society·DateOct 13, 2004

Purdue professor puts new spin on quantum computer technology

Researchers created a device that can split streams of quantum objects into two according to their spin state, which could be key for quantum computers. The separation method uses a magnetic focusing technique and has been a great challenge due to the weak coupling of spin with the environment.

SourcePurdue University·DateOct 13, 2004

NASA experiment celebrates 20 years in orbit

The SAGE II instrument has provided 20 years of high-quality ozone measurements, enabling scientists to monitor trends and changes in the stratosphere. Its data have also helped study the impact of volcanic aerosols on temperatures and the effects of human activities on the Earth's radiation balance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 13, 2004

Whole blood may do more harm than good in pediatric heart surgeries

A new study suggests that using whole blood for priming in pediatric heart surgeries may not be the best option, as it can lead to increased hospital stays and costs. Reconstituted blood, which combines red blood cells and plasma, has been shown to be just as effective but with lower risks of bleeding and inflammation.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 13, 2004
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Johns Hopkins team wins British biotech business plan competition

A US team of biomedical engineering students from Johns Hopkins University has won a British biotech business plan competition. The team presented their idea for an automated retina imaging device to a panel of judges in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was selected as one of the top four teams representing North America.

SourceBritish Information Services·DateOct 13, 2004

People are of 'two minds' on moral judgments

Researchers find that people's brains use both reason and emotion when making personal moral judgments, as opposed to judgment of others. Increased activity in the 'anterior cingulate cortex' was found in difficult personal moral dilemmas.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 13, 2004

New way of controlling cholesterol may help treat Alzheimer's

Researchers found that an ACAT inhibitor reduced amyloid deposition and improved learning in female mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's. The study also showed promising results for male mice, which could lead to faster development of new treatments.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNeuron·DateOct 13, 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.

Reconstituted blood is better for infants' heart surgery than fresh blood

Babies who received reconstituted blood during heart surgery had shorter ICU stays (70.5 hours vs 97 hours) and spent less time on mechanical ventilation (36.3 hours vs 53 hours). The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, puts to rest a decades-long debate and could save patients and blood banks money.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 13, 2004

Anti-cholesterol drug treats Alzheimer's disease in mice

A new anti-cholesterol drug, CP-113,818, has shown promise in treating Alzheimer's disease by reducing amyloid plaque accumulation and improving learning and memory in mice. Treatment with the drug resulted in a significant reduction of cholesterol storage in the brain, as well as improved performance on cognitive tests.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 13, 2004

UK astronomers scan the skies for threat from space

A team of British astronomers is tracking Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) using the Faulkes Telescope North and South in Hawaii and Australia. The UK Astrometry and Photometry Programme (UKAPP) provides crucial information to protect the Earth from potential asteroid impacts.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateOct 13, 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.

Long-sought key to hearing may be found in protein discovery

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified TRPA1 as the hair-cell transduction channel, which converts sound vibrations into nerve signals. The discovery has significant implications for understanding normal hearing and inherited forms of deafness, potentially leading to new treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 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.

Where in the brain decisions are made

Researchers discovered a brain region, lateral intraparietal (LIP) area, plays a key role in subjective decisions about actions. Monkeys trained to play a game against computer opponent adopted the same strategy as humans, suggesting similar neural processes are at play.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 13, 2004

UK celebrates 50 years of CERN

The UK has played a significant role in CERN's history, contributing to groundbreaking research and technological advancements. The laboratory continues to be a hub for scientific discovery, with ongoing experiments searching for the Higgs boson and exploring dark matter.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateOct 13, 2004

Plastic surgeons perform first entire face reconstruction

Burn victims may soon experience restored faces with a single operation, reducing pain and recovery time. Surgeons utilize innovative techniques to create thick skin flaps with unique blood supplies, eliminating huge scars and promoting emotional healing.

SourceAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons·DateOct 13, 2004

Channel protein converts vibrations to electrical signal

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute find that TRPA1, a protein known for its role in sensory transduction, also forms a spring-like structure in hair cells, amplifying auditory signals. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism of hearing and could lead to new treatments for hearing loss.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 2004

Award-winning INEEL probe to help safely monitor hazardous waste sites

The Geologic and Environmental Probe System (GEOPS) is an innovative technology that allows scientists to directly measure hazardous chemicals in the soil. By inserting the probe into the ground without disturbing the surrounding soil, researchers can gather accurate data quickly and efficiently, saving time and money.

SourceDOE/Idaho National Laboratory·DateOct 13, 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.

Melanin makes skin vulnerable to harmful ultraviolet rays

Research finds that melanin in hair follicles can increase cell death in response to UV radiation, depending on its color. The study used mice with engineered pigmentation to demonstrate this effect, suggesting that people with darker skin may not be as vulnerable to skin cancer as those with fair skin.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2004

Nazis and medical ethics: Context and lessons

The American Medical Association and U.S. Holocaust Museum launch a national series to explore the role of Nazi medical practices in shaping medical ethics. The collaboration aims to bring lessons from history to contemporary issues, including racial health disparities and human experimentation.

SourceAmerican Medical Association·DateOct 13, 2004

Summa study finds portion control induces greatest weight loss

A recent study published in Obesity Research found that portion control was the most effective behavior change for inducing significant weight loss among obese patients. According to lead researcher Everett E. Logue, Ph.D., portion control resulted in a 38% success rate, compared to 33% for those who did not practice portion control.

SourceSumma Health System·JournalObesity Research·DateOct 13, 2004

Angiogenesis therapy successful for peripheral arterial disease

Researchers have successfully developed a gene therapy approach to treat peripheral arterial disease, stimulating blood vessel growth and improving perfusion in damaged leg tissue. The treatment also appeared to prevent programmed cell death, as the researchers reported.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateOct 13, 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.

Coke versus Pepsi: It's all in the head

A recent study found that Coke preference is influenced by brand knowledge and activates specific brain regions, including the hippocampus. This discovery highlights the role of cultural messages in shaping taste perception and has important implications for understanding obesity and other health issues related to sugared colas.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 13, 2004