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Science News for October 28, 2004


Unique new platform offers European scientific community a common voice

The Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) is an independent platform for organizations committed to scientific and technological development. ISE aims to provide a common forum for advocating independent scientific advice in European policy-making and stimulating the involvement of European scientists in shaping science and technology...

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·DateOct 28, 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.

Global strategies for improving child health under scrutiny

Two studies on the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy found that it can lead to significant reductions in child mortality rates, particularly in developing countries. In Tanzania and Bangladesh, IMCI implementation resulted in lower child mortality rates compared to areas without the program.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 28, 2004

New study says Wal-Mart presence may hinder local poverty reduction

A new study by Penn State professor Stephan Goetz suggests that the presence of a Wal-Mart store in a county can lead to higher poverty rates, as the chain pays its workers relatively low wages. This can have long-term effects on the local community, including reduced civic capacity and philanthropic efforts.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 28, 2004

South East may be 'too successful' to benefit from Government's devolution drive

Researchers found little appetite among South East politicians and business leaders for a regional assembly, citing concerns over regulation and the failure of previous attempts like the Greater London Assembly. The region's strong economy and lack of need for government intervention may be contributing factors to this reluctance.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateOct 28, 2004

Findings challenge Darwinian theory

A study by Dr. Richard Palmer challenges the classical Darwinian theory, suggesting that environment plays a crucial role in creating differences and variations in species. The research found that variations without genetic basis are common and important for evolution, especially in asymmetric forms.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateOct 28, 2004
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Darwin's greatest challenge tackled: the mystery of eye evolution

Researchers at EMBL have discovered that the light-sensitive cells in our eyes, rods and cones, originated from an ancient population of light-sensitive cells located in the brain. These brain cells were later recruited for vision, leading to the evolution of the human eye.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateOct 28, 2004

UCLA chemists report new nano flash welding

Researchers at UCLA have successfully developed a new method of nano flash welding, allowing for the creation of thermally absorbent materials that can weld together without burning. This breakthrough has significant implications for various industries, including chemical sensors, separation membranes, and nano devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 28, 2004

The sun is more active now than over the last 8000 years

Researchers have reconstructed sunspot activity over the last 11,400 years and found that the current level of high solar activity is unique within the past 8,000 years. This study suggests that the Sun's magnetic field is the origin and energy source of these phenomena.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateOct 28, 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.

ASU gets grant to develop high speed DNA sequence reader

Arizona State University has been awarded a $1.7 million grant to develop a system that can read DNA sequences up to 1,000 times faster and at a cost of only one-hundredth as much as current methods. The goal is to make genome sequencing more accessible for medical research and healthcare.

SourceArizona State University·DateOct 28, 2004

Scientists closing in on nerve proteins' contributions to memory and hearing loss

Researchers have connected neuregulin-1 and postsynaptic density protein-95 to memory and hearing loss, suggesting that these proteins may play a crucial role in neural development and communication. The study's findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline and hearing loss.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 28, 2004

Trojan-horse therapy blocks buildup of Alzheimer's plaque

Researchers developed a new approach to block protein interactions, leading to reduced amyloid aggregation and toxicity in Alzheimer's disease. The 'Trojan horse' technique uses small molecules to target protein chaperones, preventing the formation of toxic aggregates.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 28, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Iraqi civilian deaths increase dramatically after invasion

A cluster sample survey estimated that 100,000 more Iraqis died than expected after the March 2003 invasion. The majority of deaths were caused by Coalition forces' actions, with 95% attributed to air strikes and artillery.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 28, 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.

UCLA and Univ. of Utah researchers identify how a hormone regulates iron

Scientists at UCLA and Univ. of Utah have discovered that the hormone hepcidin regulates ferroportin, an iron-transporting molecule, controlling iron release in the bloodstream. This finding may lead to treatments for hemochromatosis and anemia of chronic disease, affecting millions worldwide.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·DateOct 28, 2004

100,000 excess civilian deaths after Iraq invasion

A study by Les Roberts and colleagues found that the risk of death was 2.5 times greater after the invasion, with violence accounting for most excess deaths. The researchers estimate that 100,000 excess civilian deaths may have occurred since the 2003 invasion.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 28, 2004

Common household fragrances may be harming aquatic wildlife, study finds

A Stanford University study reveals that common household fragrances, such as synthetic musks, can compromise the defense system of aquatic animals, leading to long-term effects. The researchers found that even short-term exposure to these chemicals could have lasting impacts on marine organisms.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateOct 28, 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.

Hospital for Special Surgery's Boskey named AAAS fellow

Dr. Adele Boskey, a researcher at the Hospital for Special Surgery, has been elected as an AAAS Fellow for her significant work on biological calcification and extracellular matrix proteins. She was recognized at the 2005 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·DateOct 28, 2004

Blacks less likely to start smoking, less likely to quit

Research finds African Americans are less likely to start smoking due to cultural influences and parental prohibition. Quitting rates differ based on socioeconomic status, with black women more likely to quit than men.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 28, 2004

Photons under control

Scientists at Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics create single photons by trapping a calcium ion between two mirrors, allowing for controlled emission. The device enables user-controlled photon emission time and shape, paving the way for quantum information processing.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateOct 28, 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.

Is the zebra fish leading us to new therapies?

Researchers used zebra fish to discover that nerves and blood vessels share similar guiding signals, crucial for therapeutic angiogenesis. This finding has significant implications for developing targeted forms of treatment for diseases like heart attacks.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature·DateOct 28, 2004