Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 8, 2004


Changes in home environment can reduce asthma symptoms in inner-city children

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that reducing allergens and tobacco smoke in the home can significantly reduce asthma symptoms in African-American and Hispanic children. The research involved over 900 children aged 5-11, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

Ventilation in bars, casinos doesn't control health risk for hospitality workers

A study by James L. Repace found that ventilation in bars and casinos does not control health risks for hospitality workers. After Delaware's smoking ban took effect, air quality levels improved dramatically, with respirable particulate pollution and carcinogenic pollutants eliminated.

SourceM Booth & Associates·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

UCLA molecular biologists uproot the tree of life

Researchers found that two prokaryotes merged to form the first eukaryote, creating a 'ring of life' that has significant implications for all multicellular forms of life. The study sheds light on the origins of eukaryotes and their genetic background.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2004

Smac-ing back at cancer cells

A new class of compounds has been discovered to mimic the function of a protein called Smac, which promotes apoptosis in cancer cells. The compounds, known as Compound 3, were found to be effective at extremely low concentrations and showed potential as an anti-cancer therapy.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Reducing allergens in the home helps inner-city children with asthma

A National Institutes of Health study found that reducing indoor allergens in the home significantly improves asthma symptoms in inner-city children. By targeting common allergens like dust mites, cockroaches, and tobacco smoke, researchers helped alleviate symptoms comparable to those achieved with asthma inhalers.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

Big telecom firms continue to dominate market

Research suggests that big telecom firms are cornering the broadband market by buying up ISPs, offering broadband services, and providing scale advantages. Despite this, some independent ISPs have survived by specializing in value-added services.

SourcePenn State·DateSep 8, 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.

New research shows air pollution can reduce children's lung function

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that air pollution can significantly reduce lung function in children between ages 10 and 18. Researchers tracked air pollutant levels in Southern California communities and found a correlation between poor air quality and decreased forced expiratory volume.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

Cancer drug may reduce kidney disease in lupus

A new cancer drug, SAHA, has shown potential in reducing kidney disease in lupus patients by inhibiting the onset of lupus-related kidney disease and decreasing spleen size. Further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and understand its anti-inflammatory properties.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateSep 8, 2004

Exploring the noisy nature of atoms

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a method to exploit spin noise in magnetic atoms to perform detailed magnetic resonance imaging. By using laser-based Faraday rotation, the scientists measured the spectrum of spin noise in rubidium and potassium atoms, revealing their complete magnetic structure.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2004

Popular magazines don't inform men about prostate and colon cancer screening

A recent study found that popular magazines rarely provide in-depth information on prostate and colon cancer screening. Key points such as risk factors, early screening benefits, and potential harms are often missing from magazine articles. This lack of information may contribute to the public's misperception about cancer risks.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 8, 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.

Early detection hope for eye disease

A new technique using spectral imaging allows doctors to detect and chart eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma with high accuracy. The method uses liquid crystal tuneable filters and cooled digital cameras to take images at specific wavelengths, revealing the oxygenation state of blood vessels in the eye.

SourceIOP Publishing·DateSep 8, 2004

A new protein is discovered to play a key role in cancer progression

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered a new protein that plays a key role in cancer progression. The study found that the loss of PML function disrupts TGF-b signaling, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor development.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2004

North Greenland reveals gradual, abrupt climate swings

The NGRIP ice core project has uncovered a detailed record of North Greenland's climate history, revealing stable temperatures during the Eemian period and a slow transition to the glacial period. The study also suggests significant temperature jumps in recent times, with evidence of abrupt climate shifts over human lifetimes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 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.

Customized program reduces asthma symptoms in inner-city children

A study found that a customized environmental intervention reduced asthma symptoms in children by 21 days per year, with rapid improvements starting just 2 months after the program began. The program, which included measures to reduce allergens and tobacco smoke, was more effective than previous studies.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

Mars may have had large sea near NASA rover landing site, says Colorado U. Study

Researchers found a large body of water, comparable to the Baltic Sea or all Great Lakes combined, near the NASA Opportunity rover's landing site on Mars. The study suggests that the ancient sea was present for an extended period and must have been deep enough to build up sediments roughly one-third of a mile deep.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2004

New genetic hypothesis for the cause of autism

A new genetic hypothesis proposes that most cases of autism can be explained by a complex model for genetic malfunction, involving both inherited and de novo genetic factors. The study suggests epigenetic components, including genetic imprinting, play a major role in the etiology of autism.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateSep 8, 2004
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Consumers with health insurance are willing to help cover costs for uninsured people

The study found that even insured individuals recognize and are willing to accept tradeoffs between having more generous benefits and having coverage for all. Insured citizens deliberated on this issue, voicing sophisticated arguments for and against giving up some of their benefits to include the uninsured.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

Yale scientists bring quantum optics to a microchip

Researchers at Yale University have developed a miniaturized superconducting cavity that enables quantum optics experiments on a microchip. The system allows for rapid exchange of energy between photons and atoms, demonstrating the potential for faster computing with quantum qubits.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2004

The birth of reproductive health: A difficult delivery

The Cairo Conference's 20-year plan for reproductive health is under threat from conservative and liberal ideological battles, international funding shortfalls, and the HIV pandemic. The situation has resulted in 60 million unwanted pregnancies, 19 million unsafe abortions, and half a million maternal deaths annually.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 8, 2004

Scientists glimpse exotic matter in a neutron star

Researchers estimate that a neutron star is about 1.8 times as massive as the sun with a radius of about 7 miles, sparking interest in its equation of state and superfluid properties. The findings rule out free quarks and provide insights into the density-pressure relationship within the star.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateSep 8, 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.

UK scientist gambles on gravitational waves

Professor Jim Hough of the University of Glasgow believes that gravitational waves will be detected in the near future due to advancements in instrument technology. The UK's GEO 600 device has shown promising results, and its innovations are being considered by LIGO for implementation.

SourceIOP Publishing·DateSep 8, 2004

Stevens experts issue report on gaps in NY/NJ port security

The report emphasizes the need for improved network-centric operations to enhance port security and reduce the terrorist threat. It recommends establishing a 'testbed' in the Port Authority to develop an architecture and communications backbone, along with measures to deter, prevent, and respond to terror-based attacks.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateSep 8, 2004

Hunting illusive signs of natural selection

A study by Penn State researchers found a cluster of four genes that appear to be heavily selected in the European-American population, suggesting adaptation to new environmental pressures. In contrast, the African-American population shows signs of natural selection for milk tolerance due to changes in TRPV6 and TRPV5 genes.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 8, 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.

Protecting patients worldwide from glaucoma

A new portable device called the Newton TM has been developed to detect glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. The device is more accurate than previous models and can be used in various positions, making it ideal for early detection and treatment.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateSep 8, 2004

AGU Journal Highlights - 8 September 2004

Researchers found that El Nino climate changes contribute to Antarctic cooling through atmospheric circulation shifts. Deep-sea islands stir and fertilize the upper ocean by mixing cold waters with the surface layer, while Siberian forest fires produced hazardous air pollution in western North America.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 8, 2004