Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 13, 2004


UBC discovery is gateway to new stroke treatments

Researchers have found that astrocytes play a key role in regulating blood flow within the brain, and may hold promise as a target for new therapies to treat strokes. The study, funded by CIHR and Canadian Stroke Network, could lead to new treatments within 5-10 years.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2004

Many who cut back on Rx drugs to cut costs don't tell doctors

A study finds that two-thirds of chronically ill patients cut back on prescription drugs due to cost concerns, but few inform their doctors. The researchers recommend healthcare providers take the initiative to ask patients about cost issues and educate them on necessary medications. Most patients who spoke up received help through fre...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 13, 2004
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.

Lewis and Clark slip through climatic window to the West

The Lewis and Clark expedition successfully traversed the new frontier due to a favorable climatic window that allowed for abundant food sources. If they had traveled during an intense drought, their journey might have been significantly impacted, potentially altering the course of U.S. expansion into the West.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateSep 13, 2004

Privacy rule builds biomedical research bottleneck

The Privacy Rule, introduced in April 2003, restricts what health professionals can do with patient information, hindering the recruitment of participants for clinical trials. As a result, researchers must spend months compiling registries or devising alternative approaches to contact potential study subjects.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·DateSep 13, 2004

Mild Alzheimer's leads to errors on driving test

A recent study found that people with mild Alzheimer's disease are more likely to make driving errors during a route-following task, including wrong turns and safety errors. However, those familiar with the area drove safely, suggesting that familiar routes may be exempt from restrictions for drivers with early dementia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateSep 13, 2004

Molecule awakens and maintains neural connections

A team of scientists has identified a protein called Dasm1 that plays a crucial role in regulating dendritic spine growth and synapse maturation. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying brain development and memory formation, suggesting a potential control molecule for both processes.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 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.

Many patients don't tell doctors they won't use prescribed medications

A study of 660 chronically ill adults found that many patients with high medical expenses underuse essential medications, leading to increased emergency department visits and poorer health outcomes. Despite this, healthcare providers often fail to address medication costs, leaving patients vulnerable to financial burden.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 13, 2004

Cancer survivors' other medical problems poorly managed

A recent study found that cancer survivors are less likely to receive recommended medical care for their chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. The authors conclude that cancer patients' other medical issues may be ignored due to a focus on the prior malignancy.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateSep 13, 2004

Can an old gene learn new tricks?

Researchers discovered that the Hmx gene, which was previously thought to only develop the central nervous system in fruit flies, can also direct development of the inner ear and hypothalamus in mice. This suggests that old genes can be repurposed for new functions through regulatory element shuffling, enabling evolutionary advancements.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 13, 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.

NIAID forms clinical consortium to improve success of organ transplants

The NIAID has formed a clinical consortium to improve the success of organ transplants by identifying genetic factors and developing new immunosuppressive drugs. The consortium aims to minimize complications and increase long-term survival rates for transplant patients.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateSep 13, 2004

Hydrocarbons in the deep Earth?

Researchers found that methane formed through reducing carbon in calcite at temperatures and pressures of about 1000 degrees F and less than 70,000 times atmospheric pressure. The study's implications are significant for the ecology and economy of our planet if abiogenic hydrocarbons are produced in the deep Earth.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2004

Inflammatory marker may be early sign of blood vessel blockages

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, even if symptoms are absent. Elevated hs-CRP levels may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 13, 2004
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 approach to assessing glaucoma risk may help physicians decide who needs treatment

A new approach to assessing glaucoma risk, inspired by the coronary heart disease model, aims to identify individuals at risk and guide treatment decisions. This initiative has the potential to shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention and earlier intervention for those at risk.

SourceUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey·JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology·DateSep 13, 2004

First glimpse of DNA binding to viral enzyme

Researchers have discovered that DNA stimulates the activity of a viral enzyme, providing a potential new target for antiviral drugs. The discovery could help prevent adenovirus infections, which can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and eye infections, including blindness.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateSep 13, 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.

Dental student calls on dentists to take patients' blood pressure

A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Education found that nearly half of patients with high blood pressure at a dental clinic had never been diagnosed. The researchers advocate for regular blood pressure screening in dental offices, which could help identify hypertension early and prevent related health issues.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Dental Education·DateSep 13, 2004

TANGO: towards faster prognosis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases?

Researchers have developed a mathematical algorithm called TANGO that can predict the likelihood of proteins sticking together incorrectly. This could lead to new diagnostic techniques for diseases caused by misfolded proteins, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and more efficient production of therapeutic proteins.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 13, 2004

Heat-controlled drug implants offer hope for future

A team at Georgia Institute of Technology has developed heat-controlled drug implants that can release medication over an extended period, targeting conditions like diabetes. The films, made from microparticles, could be triggered by blood glucose monitors to administer insulin or other medications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateSep 13, 2004

Prolonged, sustained exercise prevents precursor to heart failure

Researchers found that prolonged, sustained exercise preserves ventricular compliance and may reduce the incidence of diastolic heart failure in the elderly. Lifelong exercise training completely prevented stiffening of the heart muscle thought to be an inevitable consequence of aging.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·DateSep 13, 2004
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Protein is key for digestive function of the pancreas

The study reveals that VAMP8 is essential for the normal functioning of pancreatic acinar cells, which produce digestive enzymes. Mice lacking VAMP8 showed reduced levels of digestive enzymes and partial resistance to pancreatitis, suggesting a potential link between VAMP8 and this condition.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 13, 2004

Images of 'tail' of protein needed for cell multiplication suggest anticancer drug targets

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered the structure and function of the 'tail' of a protein essential for cell replication, revealing potential targets for new anticancer drugs. The study found that a slight modification in the protein's shape can create unique enzyme activity.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 13, 2004

There and back again

Researchers uncover a novel mechanism regulating cell shape changes during somitogenesis, a process crucial for vertebrae and muscle formation. Cdc42 plays a central role in this transition, with activity levels influencing mesenchymal cells' ability to become epithelial cells.

SourceRIKEN Center for Developmental Biology·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 13, 2004

Women starting mammography on time, but failing to follow up

A study of 72,417 women found that many began mammography between ages 35-40 and delayed follow-up. Women without insurance or a primary care doctor faced longer delays in starting screening. The authors suggest encouraging prompt return to screening may be more critical than initial start.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateSep 13, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Laboratory grows world record length carbon nanotube

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully grown a single-wall carbon nanotube, reaching a world-record length. This breakthrough has the potential to enable new types of nanoscale electro-mechanical systems, including micro-electric motors and nanoconducting cables.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 13, 2004

A probable cause for high blood pressure identified - shows links with diabetes

A study led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers found that imidazole-4-acetic acid-ribotide may be a primary cause of high blood pressure and a molecular link to diabetes. The molecule binds to receptors in the brain, leading to elevated blood pressure, which can also impair insulin release.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2004

Genetic analysis rewrites salamander's evolutionary history

A study by Rachel Mueller and David Wake rewrites the evolutionary history of salamanders, finding inconsistencies with accepted classifications. The research suggests that some terrestrial salamanders regained their larval stage after moving back to water, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 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.

Gene expression in liver tumors and patient prognosis

A study has identified two distinct subclasses of liver cancer with differing survival rates, providing new molecular insight into the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings suggest that gene expression profiles can accurately predict patient survival and may lead to the development of more targeted therapies.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateSep 13, 2004

Certain complications raise risk of in-hospital death after stroke

A study of 13,440 ischemic stroke patients found that serious medical or neurological complications accounted for over half of in-hospital deaths. Pneumonia was the leading cause, followed by increased intracranial pressure, with diabetes and previous stroke also linked to poorer outcomes in men.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateSep 13, 2004

Hepatitis B vaccine may be associated with increased risk of MS

A recent study using the General Practice Research Database found an association between hepatitis B vaccination and a three-fold increase in MS incidence within three years following vaccination. The study's limitations highlight the need for further research into the potential link between vaccines and autoimmune diseases.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateSep 13, 2004

Research uncovers added value of streamside forests

A new study by the U.S. National Science Foundation highlights the vital importance of streamside forests in maintaining clean water and healthy ecosystems. The research, funded jointly by NSF and EPA, shows that these forests help filter pollutants from streams, enhance ecosystem processes, and support biodiversity.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2004