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Science News for September 9, 2004


Breathing and mental health problems widespread among Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers

A Mount Sinai study found that nearly three-quarters of WTC responders experienced upper respiratory issues, with half still experiencing symptoms eight months later. Over half had persistent psychological symptoms, with risks for PTSD four times that of the general male population.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateSep 9, 2004

Modeling ocean behavior: The key to understanding our future climate

Researchers assess the accuracy of ocean general circulation models in representing deep convection in the Labrador Sea. They found that while one model simulated data more faithfully, it still suffered from problems, and further study is needed to improve understanding of this process.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 9, 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.

Engineers model effects of hurricane force winds on structures

Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a computational platform to calculate wind loads and structural capacities of low-rise buildings. The goal is to appreciably reduce damage and increase safety for residential, institutional, and commercial structures vulnerable to extreme winds.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateSep 9, 2004

Serotonin metabolites in mollusks suggest pathways for human therapies

Recent findings by Illinois researchers identified two new serotonin metabolites in the nervous system of marine mollusks, suggesting different chemical pathways exist to convert serotonin. This discovery could provide novel means to target tissue-specific diseases related to serotonin signaling.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Neurochemistry·DateSep 9, 2004

Two Virginia Tech energy-related inventions win R&D 100 awards

Researchers at Virginia Tech have invented a new fuel cell material called Battellion TM that can reduce the cost of production, making it more economically viable. The material has improved stability, conductivity, and manufacturing processes, allowing for longer service life and reduced weight compared to existing materials.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateSep 9, 2004

Disruption of protein-folding causes neurodegeneration, mental retardation

GM1 gangliosidosis causes brain cells to self-destruct due to excessive accumulation of fatty molecules in lysosomes and disrupted protein folding. The St. Jude team found that the endoplasmic reticulum is triggered by GM1 accumulation, leading to a cell's emergency response and eventual death.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 9, 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.

Transplant candidates may wait longer for available kidneys

The majority of kidney transplant candidates waiting for kidneys have blood type O and are forced to wait even longer for a deceased donor kidney when list-paired exchanges are permitted. Researchers propose limiting these exchanges to pairs with compatible blood types to make them a moral option.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalTransplantation·DateSep 9, 2004

Shaping health-systems research for the developing world

The Lancet task force outlines a research agenda to strengthen health systems and deliver effective interventions in an equitable manner. The proposal aims to enhance capacity for delivering life-saving interventions, particularly in the developing world.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 9, 2004

Knight Center seminar on 'The Human Brain'

The Knight Center seminar features keynote speakers from top institutions discussing topics like brain development, emotions, and decision-making. Participants will gain insights into the latest research and its applications in journalism.

SourceUniversity of Maryland - Knight Center for Specialized Journalism·DateSep 9, 2004
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Cell's gatekeeper for ammonia revealed in unprecedented detail

UCSF researchers publish first atomic-level structure of the channel controlling ammonia passage in and out of cells. The discovery provides insights into toxic effects and potential treatment options for life-threatening diseases caused by ammonia toxicity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience·DateSep 9, 2004

Study by Israeli scientists provides insight on DNA code

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem produced the most detailed 3-D representation of the spliceosome's structure to date, revealing a complex with two distinct halves surrounding a tunnel. The study sheds light on RNA splicing and alternative splicing mechanisms, providing new understanding of protein diversity.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 9, 2004

Recreational gambling appears to be associated with good health in older adults

Research by Yale University suggests that moderate gamblers aged 65+ experience improved overall health due to increased socialization and cognitive stimulation. However, the activity can still become highly addictive, particularly with non-strategic games, posing financial risks for older adults on fixed incomes.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 9, 2004

New treatment for fibromyalgia

A recent clinical trial demonstrated the effectiveness of duloxetine in reducing pain and improving disease symptoms in female fibromyalgia patients. The study showed significant improvements in tender point measures and pressure pain threshold, with benefits also observed in emotional and physical functioning.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateSep 9, 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.

OutFoxed! New research may redefine late-stage cardiac development

Penn researchers successfully inactivated the Foxp4 binding protein, allowing bilateral cardiac primordia to fuse into single tubes. This resulted in four-chambered hearts developing with most aspects of advanced heart development, challenging current understanding of congenital heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateSep 9, 2004

Newborns have ear preferences, too

Researchers found that newborn babies' right ears are more responsive to speech-type stimuli, while their left ears are more responsive to tonal sounds. This suggests that the auditory system develops differently on each side of the brain from birth.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateSep 9, 2004

Nanotechnology leads to discovery of super superconductors

A team of scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory discovered a way to control defects in superconducting materials, leading to a two-to-five-fold increase in current densities in high magnetic fields. This breakthrough could revolutionize the development of powerful and energy-efficient superconducting electric motors and generators.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 9, 2004

Managing lupus with prasterone

A year-long clinical trial found that prasterone improved disease activity, reduced organ damage, and boosted health-related quality of life for women with active lupus. The treatment, which is safe and effective, could offer an alternative to immunosuppressive agents or large doses of glucocorticoids.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateSep 9, 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.

The impact of genetic variations on the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis

A recent study found that genetic variations in the HLA and TNF gene regions are associated with response to treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients with two copies of the shared epitope were four times more likely to achieve significant improvement in disease activity compared to those with one or no copies.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateSep 9, 2004

New analysis cites economic impact of ADHD

Adults with ADHD experience significant economic losses, including lower household incomes and reduced full-time employment rates. The condition also affects relationships and overall satisfaction with life.

SourceAmerican Medical Association·DateSep 9, 2004

Breaking new ground in germ cell guidance

A recent study has identified Wunen2 as a crucial guidance molecule in Drosophila germ cell migration, requiring maternal activity to sustain pole cells during migration. The research suggests a new paradigm for explaining the function of lipid phosphate phosphatases in developmental processes.

SourceRIKEN Center for Developmental Biology·JournalDevelopment·DateSep 9, 2004

The search for a kinder, gentler chemotherapy

Researchers have developed core/shell nanogels that can target cancer cells using folic acid, a nutrient that cancer cells absorb more than healthy cells. The nanoparticles can be heated to kill cancer cells, but applying targeted heat sources like ultrasound can spare healthy cells.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 9, 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.

Hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation

A study found that patients who received liver transplants from living donors are more likely to experience severe Hepatitis C recurrence. The research, led by Xavier Forns, investigated the effect of donor life status on HCV patient outcomes and discovered a significant association between living donor transplantation and severe disea...

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateSep 9, 2004

Researchers illuminate cause of crippling genetic disease

Scientists uncover vital role of Periaxin gene in causing CMT, a disabling disease affecting 23,000 people in the UK. The new research provides insight into how nerves work and may lead to development of gene therapies to correct faulty genes.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateSep 9, 2004

Further evidence refuting link between MMR vaccine and autism

A recent UK study published in The Lancet has found no association between the MMR vaccine and the development of autism or pervasive developmental disorders. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,300 cases and 4,469 controls, concluding that vaccination did not increase the risk of these conditions.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 9, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Primary-care research is not a lost cause

Primary-care research is criticized for its weakness, but experts argue that reliable evidence is needed to support clinical practice. Effective primary care research influences clinical practice and improves healthcare. Improved investment in high-quality research is necessary to attract top researchers.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 9, 2004

Researchers discover why mutant gene causes colon cancer

Researchers have discovered that a mutant gene's failure to convert vitamin A into retinoic acid leads to colon cancer. Introducing retinoids may prevent or control the growth of colon cells, offering new avenues for therapy development.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 9, 2004

Major milestone for detecting life on Mars

An international team of scientists has successfully tested an integrated Mars life-detection strategy, finding evidence of even a single-cell organism. The experiment used specially adapted instruments to identify organic and mineralogical markers in Arctic hot springs, which resemble Martian environments.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateSep 9, 2004
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.

Israeli scientists reveal the plan of a key cellular machine

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science have produced the most detailed 3-D representation of the spliceosome's structure to date. The study reveals the spliceosome has two distinct halves surrounding a tunnel, with the larger part containing proteins and RNA segments.

SourceAmerican Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 9, 2004

Endangered species list more bleak than originally thought

A recent study has found that the extinction of a host species can lead to the loss of up to 200 associated species, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts. The researchers calculated the expected levels of co-extinction across diverse systems and identified 6300 species at risk of being classified as co-endangered.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateSep 9, 2004

Bacteria use 'molecular lasso' to cop copper

The bacteria sequester methane and turn it into methyl alcohol using methanobactin, a tiny pyramid-shaped compound with a cleft that holds a single atom of copper. Methanobactin serves to keep copper under control and protect the bacterial cells from its toxicity.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience·DateSep 9, 2004

Physicists create artificial molecule on a chip

Researchers at Yale University have successfully created an artificial molecule on a chip, shrinking experimental apparatus to a tiny size. The achievement improves coupling between resonator and atom by a factor of 1000, paving the way for exploring fundamental interactions of light and matter.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateSep 9, 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.