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Science News Archive October 2004


Page 9 of 13

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Estrogen protects male rats from aortic aneurysms

Researchers found that estrogen significantly reduces MMP-9 enzyme activity in male rat aortas, leading to smaller aneurysms and less damage. The study suggests that host environment is the critical factor in aneurysm formation, with male rats more prone to AAA development.

Americans pay for unethical medical expert witnesses

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is addressing concerns about unethical medical expert witnesses. The society has created a document that calls for expert witnesses to affirm their expertise and provide truthful testimony based on industry standards.

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.

New study on smallpox in monkeys reveals tactics of a killer

A new study on smallpox in monkeys reveals how the virus subverts host defenses, providing targets for developing countermeasures to lessen or block disease. This knowledge can speed up development of protective measures against bioterror attacks.

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.

OHSU researchers study sixth-graders to prevent type 2 diabetes

A pilot study dubbed STAND UP! aims to monitor food intake and physical activity in schools to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes among sixth-graders. The program's results will be used to improve the intervention before expanding it to middle schools nationwide.

Epilepsy associated with higher risk for learning disabilities

A study by Grant Butterbaugh and colleagues found that adult patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy were more likely to experience learning disabilities. The researchers suggest that medically treated but uncontrolled seizures in the language-dominant side of the brain may contribute to these findings.

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.

Printer forensics to aid homeland security, tracing counterfeiters

Researchers at Purdue University developed a method to trace documents to specific printers, enabling law enforcement to investigate counterfeiting and homeland security matters. The technique uses unique printer characteristics and embedded features to identify the printer used to create documents.

Touching research: How white blood cells navigate

A team of biomedical engineers is using $11.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to understand how mechanical forces govern white blood cells' behavior. The research aims to develop new treatments for diseases caused by inappropriate immune responses, such as diabetes and heart disease.

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.

Researchers find frozen north may accelerate climate change

A recent study suggests that climate warming in the arctic tundra may cause the release of more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than previously expected. The research, led by Michelle Mack and Edward Schuur, found that increased nitrogen levels accelerated the breakdown of soil organic matter, leading to a net loss of carbon.

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.

Epilepsy study shows memory loss after brain surgery

A recent study published in Epilepsia found that selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) surgery can lead to verbal memory loss in patients, especially those who underwent left temporal lobe surgery. The study revealed that 30% to 50% of patients who underwent SAH on the left side showed no recovery of verbal memory after 12 months.

Mitochondria findings may help beat wide range of disease

Researchers discovered mitochondria can fuse without additional proteins, revealing new insights into the aging process and potential treatments for age-related diseases. This understanding is crucial for developing new therapies for optic atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.

FSU scientist links iron imbalance to Parkinson's disease

Research by FSU scientist Cathy Levenson reveals that dietary iron imbalances trigger a chain of cellular events increasing the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Excessive iron levels precipitate symptoms in healthy mice, while low levels delay onset and slow disease progression in those already infected.

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.

New method identifies chromosome changes in malignant cells

A new method developed by Princeton scientists can detect small chromosome alterations in cancer cells with high accuracy. The technique allows researchers to identify previously unknown additions and deletions, which may lead to new treatments for breast cancer.

Blood pressure drugs may slow deterioration of Alzheimer's

A study of 162 Japanese patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and high blood pressure found that brain-penetrating ACE inhibitors slowed cognitive decline. The medications declined thinking and memory skills by only 0.6 points, compared to 4.9 points for calcium channel blockers.

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.

Folate intake lowers women's risk of high blood pressure

A study of over 150,000 women found that folate intake was associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure. The most significant effects were seen in younger women, who had a 29% lower risk of developing hypertension when consuming high amounts of folate.

Cleveland stem cell investigators awarded $3.1 million

Cleveland stem cell investigators Stanton Gerson, George Muschler, and Jaroslaw Maciejewski received grants to study the effects of aging on blood stem cells and optimize assays for human stem cells in bone marrow. Their research aims to improve understanding of age-related diseases such as anemia and cancer.

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.

Seroquel: The patient's choice

A new study reveals that 8 out of 10 patients with serious mental illnesses are satisfied with their Seroquel treatment, experiencing improved positive and negative symptoms. This is attributed to its effectiveness and favorable side effect profile, leading to better compliance and outcomes.

Hunt for autism genes to be led by Hopkins researchers

A team of Hopkins researchers is using new genome searching technologies to identify genetic factors contributing to autism. They will analyze data from 465 families and 979 individuals with autism, focusing on rare genetic mutations and extra or missing gene copies.

Cells in retina found to behave like soap bubbles

Researchers at Northwestern University found that cells in the retina of fruit flies adopt mathematically predictable shapes and configurations, similar to soap bubbles. This discovery reveals a general principle of patterning found in a wide range of living things.

UF scientists have bionanotechnology recipe to find elusive bacteria

Researchers at the University of Florida have created a new method for detecting bacteria using bioconjugated nanoparticles, which can identify single E. coli bacteria in less than 20 minutes. This technology has significant implications for food safety and bioterrorism detection.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Topical medication effective in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

A topical diclofenac sodium solution has been shown to effectively treat symptoms of primary OA of the knee, improving pain and physical function by 45.7% and 36.7%, respectively. The study found that this treatment had a superior efficacy compared to a control solution, with minimal adverse effects related to skin reactions.

Indigenous local law fights for its right to exist

A study reveals how indigenous communities maintain their own laws, blending national and indigenous principles to survive. The hybrid form of law is found to increase the chances of indigenous customs surviving.