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Science News for October 4, 2004


U of Colorado team finds security flaws in chess web site

A team of researchers discovered security flaws in the Internet Chess Club, a widely used online platform with over 30,000 members. They found that users could easily cheat and access sensitive information without proper security measures, emphasizing the need for experts to create secure systems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateOct 4, 2004

Most US malaria deaths preventable: CDC

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that most US malaria deaths are preventable, with human error and inadequate medical care contributing to nearly two-thirds of cases. The CDC has expanded resources available to provide critical information on prevention and treatment of malaria.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 4, 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.

Internet data-mining of natural history

The four-year project aims to produce new techniques for analyzing spatio-temporal data, making it accessible to researchers, conservation biologists, educators, and citizens. The grant will integrate machine learning and modeling techniques with existing ornithology projects, increasing the power and scope of data tools.

SourceCornell University·DateOct 4, 2004

Terrorist warnings boost Bush's approval ratings

A Cornell University study found that terrorist warnings increased presidential approval ratings and support for Bush's handling of the economy. The study's findings are consistent with social identity theory and terror management theory, suggesting a 'halo effect' where threats increase in-group identification and nationalism.

SourceCornell University·JournalCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology·DateOct 4, 2004

Daphne Koller named MacArthur Fellow

Koller's research uses algorithms, probabilistic modeling, and Bayesian networks to represent complex information with high uncertainty. Her work has implications in artificial intelligence and genetic data analysis, and she is optimistic about identifying patterns of gene expression across species.

SourceStanford University·DateOct 4, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UF study: Only holders of brainy jobs get paid for emotional toil

A recent University of Florida study found that professionals with high intellectual and emotional demands, such as doctors and lawyers, are typically well-compensated. In contrast, workers in emotionally demanding yet low-intellectual jobs, like waiters and child-care workers, often receive lower pay despite facing significant stress.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateOct 4, 2004

Stanford cooling tool may improve performance of athletes, soldiers

The Stanford cooling tool uses a local subatmospheric pressure environment to cool the body from the inside out, reducing recovery time after anesthesia. By extending endurance in hot environments, the device has significant implications for athletes, military personnel, and factory workers.

SourceStanford University·DateOct 4, 2004

Acute decrease in testosterone level has few negative effects on healthy men

Researchers studied 31 healthy men with medication-induced hypogonadism, finding that acute testosterone suppression led to low blood levels of testosterone. Most participants showed no significant differences in symptoms between leuprolide plus placebo and leuprolide plus testosterone groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2004

Of lice and men

A University of Utah study shows that a now-extinct species of early human came into direct contact with our species about 25,000 years ago and spread parasites to our ancestors. The analysis of lice genes confirmed key developments in human evolution, including the 'out of Africa' theory.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 4, 2004
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.

A treatment, not a cure: Calcium silicate neutralizes an acidic stream

A recent study by Dr. Gene E. Likens and colleagues documents the neutralizing effects of calcium silicate on acidic streams at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. The research found that adding Wollastonite to the stream resulted in a long-lasting buffering effect, suppressing acidity for over four months.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalRestoration Ecology·DateOct 4, 2004

Offspring at risk from maternal occupational exposure to solvents

A study of 32 pregnant women exposed to organic solvents at work found that their children had significantly lower verbal cognitive functioning and greater inattention, highlighting the need for reduced exposure during pregnancy.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateOct 4, 2004
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Fungus knocks a frog down but not out, raising questions about amphibian declines

Researchers found evidence of chytrid fungus persistence in surviving populations of Taudactylus eungellensis, a species that had suffered a massive decline. The study suggests that frog populations can persist with an endemic infection of the fungus, challenging the assumption that infected populations are wiped out.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 4, 2004

Postpartum home nurse visits improve infant health, reduce costs

A study by Penn State found that postnatal home nurse visits significantly reduce hospital readmissions and ED visits for jaundice and dehydration in newborns. The cost savings for insurance payers is estimated to be around $181.82 per child, making this a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital care.

SourcePenn State·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateOct 4, 2004

An embryonic stem cell model for Parkinson's disease

Researchers created a mouse embryonic stem cell model to study Parkinson's disease, revealing that DJ-1-deficient cells exhibit heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress. The model also linked DJ-1 dysfunction to alpha-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark of Parkinson's neuropathology.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 4, 2004
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Arctic sea ice declines again in 2004, according to U. of Colorado study

The September 2004 sea-ice loss was especially evident in extreme northern Alaska and eastern Siberia, with the decline averaging about 8 percent over the past decade. Climate change is likely playing a significant role, with some models indicating complete disappearance of summer sea ice by 2070.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateOct 4, 2004

Below the surface: New clues to plant signaling from the roots

Researchers at the University of Utah have identified a novel gene, BYPASS1, that regulates root-to-shoot communication and controls plant architecture. The study reveals that roots produce a growth-inhibiting substance that affects shoot development, providing new insights into plant signaling.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 4, 2004

Warning: NYPD Blue may affect your opinion of the President

Researchers found that viewers of crime dramas, such as NYPD Blue, were more likely to view crime as a top issue and influenced their overall opinions about the president. Weekly viewers of these programs were nearly twice as likely to report crime as the most important problem facing the nation.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPolitical Communication·DateOct 4, 2004

Head lice reveal contact between modern and ancient humans

Head lice analysis suggests that modern humans (Homo sapiens) and archaic humans (Homo erectus) carried distinct types of lice. The study proposes a scenario where the New World louse evolved on an archaic form of humans before transferring to a modern version.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 4, 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.

Research team develops nonhuman primate model of smallpox infection

A research team led by Peter B. Jahrling has successfully developed a nonhuman primate model of smallpox infection in monkeys. The study demonstrates that variola virus can produce lethal disease in monkeys, providing valuable insight into the pathogenesis of smallpox.

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2004

Clinical trial of botanicals for memory loss in menopause

A clinical trial investigates botanicals like black cohosh and red clover for memory loss in menopause, exploring their potential as alternatives to hormone therapy. The study aims to understand how these therapies may influence brain function and cognitive performance.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateOct 4, 2004
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

New Stanford center probes nanoscale material

Stanford University has established a new center to develop novel nanoprobes for advancing nanoscale science and technology. The center aims to create revolutionary tools for observing, manipulating, measuring, imaging, and controlling nanoscale phenomena.

SourceStanford University·DateOct 4, 2004

Long thought inflexible, personality disorders show evidence of change

A landmark longitudinal study reveals that individuals with personality disorder symptoms can experience a decline in their symptoms over time, regardless of treatment or co-occurring conditions. The study's findings challenge the long-held assumption that personality disorders are stable and inflexible.

SourceBinghamton University·DateOct 4, 2004

Certain types of schizophrenia may be linked to summer birth

Research suggests a double dissociation in deficit and nondeficit schizophrenia, with summer births associated with deficit syndrome. The association was found across six countries in the northern hemisphere, supporting seasonal variations in etiology.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2004

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Oct. 5, 2004

A study of US travelers who died from malaria between 1963 and 2001 found that most deaths were preventable with proper medication and medical care. The researchers call for better education and resources for travelers and healthcare providers to reduce malaria-related deaths.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 4, 2004
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.

How roots control plant shoots

Researchers at University of Utah discovered a gene, BPS1, in plant roots that sends chemical signals controlling leaf growth. The study found that manipulating this gene can change the way leaves develop, even when plants have enough food and water.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 4, 2004

Use of aspirin or other NSAIDs increases survival

A recent study published by Fox Chase Cancer Center found that patients who used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) regularly before their diagnosis and treatment had improved overall survival rates. The research involved 1,206 men with localized prostate cancer and compared the outcomes of those who used NSAIDs regularly to...

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·DateOct 4, 2004
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.

Researchers examine recurrence of low back pain

Researchers will investigate the relationship between motor coordination, kinesiophobia, and recurrence of low back pain. The study aims to provide treatment guidelines based on individual motor coordination profiles and kinesiophobia scores.

SourceOhio University·DateOct 4, 2004

Endangered frogs coexist with fungus once thought fatal

Researchers in Australia have discovered that frog populations of critically endangered species can persist with stable fungal infections, challenging the role of a deadly disease in their declines. The study found no evidence that survival differed between infected and uninfected frogs, suggesting coexistence rather than devastating i...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 4, 2004

Episiotomies do not prevent shoulder injury to infants stuck in birth canal

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that episiotomies do not reduce the likelihood of shoulder injuries to infants stuck in the birth canal. Instead, rotating the infant may realign its shoulders to fit within the mother's pelvis.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 4, 2004

Plants provide model for new shape-changing materials

Researchers investigate protein structures of plants to understand their role in generating shape changes in natural materials. Successful development aims to create synthetic materials that utilize internal pressure changes for controllable shapes.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateOct 4, 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.