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Science News Archive October 2004


Page 7 of 13

Identity thieves' 'phishing' attacks could soon get a lot nastier

Context-aware phishing attacks could be highly successful, with success rates as high as 50 percent, by exploiting users' unique circumstances or personal relationships. Experts recommend changes in display of online information and public awareness campaigns to combat the problem.

Weight loss surgery can help reduce metabolic syndrome in obese patients

A study found that surgical weight loss programs significantly improved metabolic syndrome symptoms, with a 95.6% resolution rate for patients with the condition. Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery resulted in greater weight loss and better blood lipid profiles compared to vertical banded gastroplasty.

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.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Oct. 19, 2004

A study found that antibiotics are ineffective in treating chronic prostate pain (CP/CPPS) but a-receptor blockers may provide relief for extended periods. Simple exercises improved dizziness in adults, while survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for breast cancer.

Insulin pumps effective for children with diabetes

A clinical trial found that insulin pump therapy was safe and well-tolerated in preschool-aged children with type 1 diabetes. Parents were also satisfied with the devices, with 95 percent continuing use after a six-month study. The benefits of insulin pump therapy are still being evaluated in terms of flexibility and convenience.

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.

2000 years of North American drought

Researchers have created a North American Drought Atlas CD-ROM, mapping year-by-year occurrences of droughts over the last 2005 years. The atlas provides essential paleoclimate data with applications to science, policy, education, and history.

Nevirapine is better than efavirenz at raising 'good' cholesterol

Researchers found that nevirapine significantly increases HDL cholesterol levels more than efavirenz, making it a preferable option for HIV-infected adults with increased cardiovascular risk. This study suggests that considering individual factors beyond cardiovascular risk can lead to more personalized treatment decisions.

Manipulation of epigenome turns off as many genes as it turns on

A recent study found that demethylation agents not only restart cancer-suppressing genes but also knock methyl groups off other genes, turning hundreds more off. The research raises concerns about the impact of these agents on gene expression and their potential to exacerbate cancer development.

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.

Whites more likely to misidentify tools as guns when linked to black faces

Researchers at Ohio State University conducted experiments showing that white Americans are more likely to misidentify tools as guns when shown a picture of an African American before seeing the tool or gun. In contrast, they were less likely to make this mistake when shown a picture of a white person. The study suggests that unconscio...

Mouse model of osteoarthritis

A mouse model of osteoarthritis has been developed, revealing that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is essential for the maintenance of healthy articular cartilage. The study found that inactivating BMP signaling in mice led to severe arthritis, mimicking human osteoarthritis conditions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

NYU Child Study Center researcher receives award from NARSAD

Dr. Rachel Klein receives the prestigious Ruane Prize from NARSAD for her extensive research on child psychiatric illnesses. Her work has authored over 200 articles and seven books, advancing our understanding of ADHD, anxiety, and other severe psychiatric disorders.

A nanowire with a surprise

Scientists discovered that increasing OPE wire length triggers variable resistance, which can be beneficial for electronic devices. The researchers also found that substituting a methyl hydrocarbon group onto the middle unit significantly increases electron transfer rate.

Oats not safe for all patients with celiac disease

A recent study published in PLoS Medicine found that oats can cause intolerance in some patients with celiac disease, triggering a similar molecular reaction as wheat, barley, or rye. This means that not all patients with celiac disease may be able to safely include oats in their diet.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Novel drug-antidote strategy provides greater control of drug action

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have created a novel drug-antidote strategy that provides greater control of drug action. The breakthrough enables the development of matched drug-antidote pairs at the beginning of the drug development process, allowing for more precise treatment.

Hepatitis C virus linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Research in British Columbia found a seventeen-fold higher risk of diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma in HCV-infected patients. The study confirmed the viral-cancer link, previously suspected in studies from other regions with higher hepatitis C prevalence.

Diabetes hikes risk for liver, pancreatic cancers

Researchers found a three-fold increased risk of liver cancer among diabetic patients, which rose to almost four-fold when medication was used. Diabetes did not increase risks for other types of cancer, such as melanoma or colon cancer.

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.

Major missile defense study published

A new study published by the American Physical Society finds that boosting-phase defense systems have significant limitations, making them impractical against many potential threats. The report highlights issues with timing and range, limiting the effectiveness of boost-phase defenses.

Magnetic stars

Researchers found stable ring-shaped magnetic field configurations in magnetic A-stars, White Dwarf stars, and neutron stars, supporting the 'fossil field' hypothesis. These fields can persist for hundreds of millions of years, surviving the star's life span.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Normal cells in tumors may aid cancer growth

A recent study published in Cancer Research found that genetic damage in stromal cells within tumors can play a crucial role in tumor development. This discovery may provide new targets for anti-cancer drugs and present a novel strategy for treating and preventing cancer.

New study demonstrates co-administration

Researchers found that taking Welchol, a bile acid sequestrant, with TriCor, a fibrate, resulted in no significant interaction. The study involved 30 healthy volunteers who received different treatment regimens involving the two drugs, showing that co-administration is safe and effective.

Mini-Mouse is a bad mom

A team of scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered that mice without the TR4 gene are born smaller, less fertile, and have poor parenting skills. The miniature mice exhibit reduced nest-building, nursing, and offspring care, resulting in high pup mortality rates.

Multi-species herbivore outbreak follows El Niño drought in Panama

A multi-species herbivore outbreak occurred in Panama following an El Niño drought, causing moth larvae to devour 250% more leaf material than usual. The short-lived event was brought under control quickly by natural predators and diseases, but highlights the potential impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Research gaining momentum by silencing genes

Scientists from VIB are using RNAi technology to study the function of genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant with 29,000 genes. The goal is to identify the function of all genes, which will shed light on biological processes in plants and humans.

Sniffing out the culprits of dust allergies

A team of scientists has developed a novel method to detect the culprits behind dust allergies, using PNA-encoded protease substrate microarrays. This innovative approach reveals the specific proteins responsible for triggering allergic reactions in humans, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying dust allergy.

Scientists explain how morphogens work

Researchers have discovered that morphogen molecules move across cells via diffusion, a finding that could lead to new strategies for treating organ defects and cancers. The study used the fruit fly model to demonstrate how TGF beta family molecules function as morphogens.

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.

Panel finds that scare tactics for violence prevention are harmful

The panel found that traditional 'get tough' approaches exacerbate problems, while positive intervention programs like Functional Family Therapy and Multisystemic Therapy show promise in reducing arrests and out-of-home placements. These effective programs focus on developing social competency skills and family involvement.

Scientists identify new cause of obesity

Researchers identify genetic mutations in the N-terminal domain of the MC4R protein that contribute to obesity, providing a promising new strategy for treating the condition. The study suggests that drugs targeting sustained low-level MC4R activity may be effective in regulating appetite.

Pushing the envelope to overcome HIV drug resistance

Researchers explored strategies to combat HIV-1 protease resistance, a key factor in treatment failure. The study identified novel approaches to inhibit the enzyme, offering potential solutions to overcome drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes.

Researchers redrawing the Tree of Life

A $3 million NSF grant is enabling researchers to combine expertise and solve classification problems for flowering plants. The new system has broken up traditional groups and shuffled others, with Amborella forming the base of the tree.

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.

Biological importance of basal activity of appetite suppressor

The melanocortin-4 receptor's (MC4R) basal activity is essential for maintaining energy balance. The N-terminal domain of the MC4R protein is responsible for this activity. Deletion of this domain impairs the receptor's ability to regulate energy homeostasis.

Scientists detect two decision-making pathways in human brain

A study published in Science found that humans have competing economic value systems, with the emotional brain prioritizing short-term gratification and the logical brain promoting long-term rewards. This discovery has significant implications for predicting economic and behavioral health patterns.

Study identifies target for preventing sexual transmission of HIV

Researchers have identified a potential target for preventing HIV transmission through vaginal membranes. A modified chemokine called PSC-RANTES was found to be effective in blocking SHIV transmission in rhesus macaques, offering hope for the development of a topical agent to prevent HIV infection in humans.

Call for randomised criminal-justice trials

The Lancet article advocates for randomized criminal-justice trials to improve evidence-based decision-making in the UK. The proposed approach would involve randomizing offenders between drug treatment and testing order, or alternative sentence, to inform judicial decisions.

Scientists find new clues underlying mood disorders

Researchers have identified a link between the fibroblast growth factor system and major depressive disorder, with those treated with SSRIs showing smaller changes. The study's findings offer new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying mood disorders and potential avenues for targeted therapeutics.

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.

Super slow light may help speed optical communications

Physicists at NIST propose new way to slow light down to almost one-millionth its usual speed using a stable pulsed laser in cryogenic gas. This method could help simplify and reduce the cost of high-speed optical communications, enabling faster signal routing and data synchronization.

Perceptual decision-making hub pinpointed in human brain

Researchers at NIMH identified a brain region in the frontal cortex as the site of perceptual decision-making, which weighs competing signals from specialized visual processing areas. The discovery could explain why harder-to-identify images evoke slower responses in this area.

Time-lapse movies show brain cells move like a two-stroke engine

Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that the protein Par6-alpha plays a crucial role in spurring the centrosome to action, allowing brain cells to migrate and form the brain's outer layer. The study overturned long-held assumptions about adhesion as the primary mechanism for neuronal migration.

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.