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Science News Archive October 2004


Page 2 of 13

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.

Development of working memory, allowing voluntary control of behavior, defined

Working memory develops and improves with maturity, allowing voluntary control over behavior. Adults rely on a third brain area for optimal performance, whereas children and adolescents use different regions of the brain. This study informs understanding of thinking processes and may lead to new treatments for psychiatric illnesses.

Stellar survivor from 1572 A.D. explosion supports supernova theory

A new discovery by Pilar Ruiz-Lapuente and colleagues identifies a clear path for Type Ia supernovae to form in binary star systems. The research found that the companion star is similar to our sun, but slightly older and with high heavy-element content, supporting the theory that Type Ia supernovae originate from these systems.

Research on 'holes' may unearth causes of superconductivity

Scientists discovered a rigid, ordered arrangement of holes in a copper oxide compound called SCO. The hole crystal is believed to be linked to another charge arrangement, known as stripes, which may contribute to superconductivity. Researchers plan to study the relationship between the two arrangements further.

Old dogs, new tricks?

A new study finds that adult dyslexics can improve their reading skills with a phonological intervention program, revealing potential for late-life literacy gains. The brain scans also showed activity changes in specific regions, including the right hemisphere, as a way to compensate for deficiencies.

From pulp to polymers

Researchers are developing new technologies to extract hemicelluloses from wood chips, which can be converted into fuel ethanol, industrial polymers, and composite products. The goal is to create an integrated forest products biorefinery that increases paper production while reducing costs.

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.

Adults with dyslexia can improve with phonics-based instruction

Researchers found that adults with dyslexia who received phonics-based instruction showed significant improvements in reading ability, including gains of 6-23% in text reading and phonetic awareness. The study also revealed changes in brain activity associated with phonetic processing.

Genetically endowed worm may substitute for rodents in some toxicology testing

Researchers are exploring the use of genetically endowed worms to replace rodent studies in toxicology testing, potentially saving millions of dollars. The C. elegans worm has a unique biology that makes it an ideal model for testing chemicals, with its short lifespan and transparent body allowing for direct monitoring of internal organs.

Location of body fat important in predicting heart attack risk

A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that intra-abdominal fat is a significant predictor of heart attack risk. Researchers discovered that as people age, fat tends to accumulate in the abdomen more than other areas, increasing the risk of heart attacks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Promise for helping adults with dyslexia

Research reveals that adult dyslexics can improve visual and auditory reading skills through intensive training, accompanied by increased brain activity in specific regions.

Physical inactivity costs millions in health care expenses

Researchers found that physical inactivity leads to higher medical costs, with heart disease being the most expensive outcome. The study estimated $83.6 million in medical expenditures related to physical inactivity among 1.5 million adult members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

WSU scientists convert baby powder chemical for use as light emitting source

Researchers at Wright State University have discovered a way to convert zinc oxide, commonly used in baby powder, into a light-emitting source. This breakthrough has the potential to replace traditional lighting with a more efficient and cost-effective option, resulting in significant power savings of up to $12 billion per year.

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.

NIH awards 1,400 new student loan repayment contracts

The NIH has awarded $68 million to 1,407 new student loan repayment contracts in Fiscal Year 2004. These programs provide up to $35,000 of qualified educational debt repayment for health professionals pursuing careers in clinical, pediatric, contraception and infertility, or health disparities research.

Cruise ships -- An alternative to assisted living facilities for the elderly?

A new study suggests that cruise ship living could be an attractive option for seniors who enjoy travel and require some assistance with daily activities. The research found that cruise ship living results in higher quality care over a 20-year period, despite being $2,000 more expensive than traditional assisted living facilities.

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.

NSF gives 'teeth' to biomaterials research

Clemson University receives a $600,000 NSF grant to support biomaterials research and the growth of an advanced materials industry cluster. The grant aims to facilitate technology transfer between academia and private industry, promoting economic development in South Carolina.

Humans and dolphins: If brain size is a measure, we're not that different

Dolphin brains are significantly larger than expected for their body size, with some species having brain sizes comparable to those of modern humans. This study suggests that cetaceans may possess cognitive abilities similar to those of great apes, challenging traditional views of human exceptionalism.

'Going through the motions' to better treat dementia

A team is using technology to monitor and analyze patients' daily activities, providing a more accurate picture of their condition. The study compares traditional methods with high-tech devices, aiming to develop better ways to support those with dementia.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

U.Va. Health System adds new cancer treatment center

The U.Va. Health System's new TomoTherapy system provides precise radiation therapy with 3-D imaging, reducing high-dose exposure to healthy tissue and potential side effects for cancer patients. The technology also enables faster treatment times and improved accuracy in targeting tumors.

Multi-rate laser pulses could boost outdoor optical wireless performance

Researchers develop a new method that embeds data in ultra-short pulses of laser light, shaped via fractal modulation as wavelets, to improve communication reliability. The system achieves higher average bit rates than conventional optical wireless links and ensures on-the-fly operation without significant electronic processing.

New Italian research links migraine and endometriosis

A new Italian study found that women with endometriosis have a significantly higher prevalence of migraine, but no link to attack frequency or pain intensity. The study also suggests that investigating headaches in women with endometriosis is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Evidence that learning is consolidated during sleep

Researchers discovered that brain activity in the hippocampus, a key learning center, correlates with improved memory performance after sleep. Spatial memories were found to be strengthened during slow wave sleep, suggesting that sleep plays a crucial role in consolidating recent memory traces.

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.

New software judges quality of scanned fingerprints

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new software program that judges the quality of scanned fingerprints. The software assigns a quality level ranging from 1 for high-quality prints to 5 for unusable prints, helping ensure accurate matches.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Stimulating nerve cells with laser precision

Scientists at Vanderbilt University have discovered that low-intensity infrared laser light can spark specific nerves to life, exciting a leg or even individual toes without touching the nerve cells. The technique offers greater precision and accuracy than conventional electrical stimulation.

Toddlers' imitation predicts well-developed conscience

Researchers found that babies who enthusiastically imitate their parents tend to develop a sense of right and wrong earlier, up to two-and-a-half years later. Children who imitated their mothers were more likely to follow rules and show guilt when breaking them.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

GENEPI: a tool to refine and fine-tune radiotherapy treatment for cancer

The GENEPI project aims to predict radiotherapy efficacy and side effects based on genetic, physical, and patient-related factors. It will establish a pan-European database on radiation-related morbidity, enabling researchers to investigate factors influencing individual responses to radiotherapy.

Munching microbes could cleanse arsenic-contaminated groundwater

Researchers have discovered a link between sulfate and arsenic levels in groundwater, suggesting that adding sulfate can effectively sequester arsenic. This method could provide a simple yet reliable field test to identify safe drinking water from contaminated sources.

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.

Nerve navigation findings prompt new direction for spinal cord research

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found that an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase plays a crucial role in guiding axons across the midline of the spinal cord during development. This discovery provides new insights into normal nervous system development and offers potential targets for treating spinal cord injuries.

Scientists zero in on why time flows in one direction

Researchers Sean Carroll and Jennifer Chen suggest infinite entropy, rather than finite, resolves the universe's low entropy, allowing for an eternal cycle of inflation and increasing entropy. This approach resolves a long-standing puzzle in physics, explaining why time flows in only one direction.

Powering the future

The Florida Institute of Technology has launched a hydrogen fuel cell research center with a focus on developing new mainstream energy sources. The center, which brings together faculty from various colleges, aims to pool expertise and solve complex problems in the field.

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.

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.

A time to rhyme

A new study found that younger children primarily process words based on phonology, sound, whereas older children and adults process words based on semantics, meaning. Researchers tested the language processing abilities of children aged five, eight, and 11 using a rhyme-based experiment.

New system 'sees' crimes on audiotape

The NIST real-time audiotape imaging system uses a customized magnetic sensor array to detect and map microscopic magnetic fields on tapes as they are played. This enables the creation of images that correlate sounds with magnetic marks on tape, aiding in the determination of authenticity.

Dr. John Deaton designs for peace

Dr. John Deaton, a renowned human factors specialist, has developedVECTOR, an interactive video game to teach cultural skills for U.S. peacekeepers. The game simulates real-life scenarios, enabling trainees to learn appropriate behavior in diverse situations.

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.

Global Tech Confidence slips as China booms, report finds

The Global Technology Confidence Index fell back to its lowest level for a year, with Japan and Europe experiencing significant downturns. In contrast, China's business confidence index showed an upward trend, indicating a surge in sales growth.