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Science News for April 25, 2005


Age is not a limiting factor in combined therapy for lung cancer

A clinical trial found that elderly patients with locally advanced limited stage small cell lung cancer can benefit from combined modality therapy, with similar two- and five-year survival rates compared to younger patients. However, severe pneumonitis was more common in the elderly group.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateApr 25, 2005

Molecular models advance the fight against malaria

Researchers developed disease models using yeast to test resistance to atovaquone and created a practical tool to design new anti-malarial drugs. This study provides the first quantitative explanation for malaria's drug resistance, enabling the development of new treatments within 3-5 years.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 25, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

CABG in elderly patients

The study found that mortality decreased over time for both young and old patients, but the risk of postoperative stroke remained unchanged among older patients. Older patients undergoing elective procedures may experience similar outcomes to those of younger patients if there is a clinical need for CABG.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 25, 2005

Relatively few US adults report having a healthy lifestyle

A study of over 153,000 US adults found that only three percent maintain a healthy lifestyle with all four characteristics: nonsmoking, healthy weight, and regular physical activity. Most Americans fail to meet even one of these key habits, highlighting the need for comprehensive prevention activities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateApr 25, 2005

NIH awards funding to biotech firm for heart disease

Arteriocyte, a startup company spun out from Case Western Reserve University, is developing a novel stem cell therapy to generate new blood vessels and replace damaged ones in patients with heart disease. The therapy has shown encouraging results in animal studies and plans for patient testing are pending NIH and FDA approval.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateApr 25, 2005

Future computer: Atoms packed in an 'egg carton' of light?

Researchers have created an 'egg carton' of light with tiny holes that can contain single atoms, a crucial step towards making quantum computing more practical. The design enables faster computing than traditional chips and has potential applications in fields like astrophysics, genetics, and materials science.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPhysical Review A·DateApr 25, 2005
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.

PNAS highlights for the week of April 25-29

Differences in UV perception allow songbirds to signal with private communication, while chestnut trees go silent during winter due to circadian clock gene regulation. A fungus has an energy-generating mechanism similar to bacteria, enabling it to harness light for proton pumping

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2005

Waste not, want not

A team of researchers from Penn State University has developed a bacteria-driven cell that produces hydrogen for fuel while simultaneously cleaning wastewater. The innovation utilizes a microbial fuel cell to harness the power of microorganisms to generate electricity and purify water.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 25, 2005

Sapphire stars in nanotube supporting role

Researchers at the University of Southern California found that sapphire surfaces can self-arrange carbon nanotubes into useful patterns. This phenomenon occurs only on specific surfaces, particularly vertical slices with certain crystalline orientations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 25, 2005
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Genetic screening for iron blood disorder feasible in the workplace

A study of 11,800 adults found that genetic screening for haemochromatosis was well-received by participants, with low anxiety levels and no discrimination from insurance companies. The authors argue that the benefits of screening outweigh the risks, making it a cost-effective option for preventing iron accumulation.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 25, 2005

Low level of extinction during ice age linked to adaptability

A study by Matthew Powell found that brachiopods living near the equator suffered high extinction rates during the late Paleozoic ice age, while those living at higher latitudes were more resilient. The research suggests that human-induced environmental changes may be causing modern marine species to become extinct.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalGeology·DateApr 25, 2005
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.

Stem cells from brain transformed to produce insulin at Stanford

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new method to transform human neural stem cells into insulin-producing cells. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new ways of transplanting insulin-producing cells into people with diabetes and provide a cure for the disease.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 25, 2005

Data suggest bypass surgery free of long-term brain effects

A study suggests that CABG surgery may cause mild and transient cognitive changes in some patients, but these effects do not persist beyond three months. The authors argue that the procedure is improving and that the population undergoing surgery is becoming older and sicker, which may contribute to the observed cognitive deficits.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateApr 25, 2005

Researchers identify protein crucial for survival of Lyme-disease bacterium

The study identifies the BptA protein as essential for Borrelia burgdorfei's survival in ticks and potentially offers a new target for Lyme disease eradication. Without this protein, bacteria were unable to utilize blood from tick feeding, resulting in a significant decrease in bacterial levels.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2005

Live faster, die younger: The shortest-living vertebrate

Researchers discovered a new species of coral-reef pygmy goby that lives for just 59 days, with daily mortality rates as high as 8%. The tiny fish lays only three clutches of eggs in its lifetime, contributing to the complex and hectic life cycle of reef fish.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 25, 2005

Insulin-producing cells from brain cursors

Researchers at Stanford University have successfully differentiated human neural progenitor cells into insulin-producing cells that can respond to glucose. These cells were then transplanted into immunocompromised mice and produced human insulin when stimulated by glucose, paving the way for potential treatment of type I diabetes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 25, 2005
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.

K-State professor takes chemistry to another world

K-State professor Chris Culbertson is working with NASA to develop microfluidic devices that can monitor astronaut health remotely. These devices use miniaturized chemical analysis instrumentation to analyze DNA mutation rates in cells on orbit.

SourceKansas State University·DateApr 25, 2005

Class effect of statins in elderly patients

A head-to-head retrospective analysis of 18,000 elderly patients with AMI found that five commonly prescribed statins were equally effective for secondary prevention. The study highlights the need to consider costs when selecting statins.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 25, 2005

Reducing malarial transmission in Africa

A randomized trial in Uganda found a six-dose regimen of co-artemether significantly reduced gametocyte levels and mosquito infectivity. However, limitations include patient compliance and absorption issues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 25, 2005
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.

DNA solves mystery of Gibraltar's macaques

Research using mitochondrial DNA identified two distinct populations in Algeria and Morocco as founders of the Gibraltar macaque population. The study found that the Gibraltar macaques retained a surprisingly high level of genetic variability despite long-term isolation.

SourceField Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2005

Every birth and death must be counted

A third of babies born each year are unregistered, lacking legal rights to healthcare and education. Universal birth registration is key to collecting data on health inequalities and promoting equity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 25, 2005

Risk scores may identify young individuals with atherosclerosis

Researchers developed a risk score based on age, sex, smoking, and obesity to identify young people with advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The study found that high-risk adolescents and young adults can benefit from targeted advice and lifestyle changes to reduce their long-term cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateApr 25, 2005

A human parasite with a streamlined mitochondrion

The Entamoeba mitosome, a human parasite's organelle, contains a single type of protein that imports and exports chemicals. This streamlined organelle may represent the simplest mitochondrion yet described, offering insights into eukaryotic cell function.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 25, 2005
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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