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Science News for April 27, 2005


New guidelines recommend screening HIV-infected patients for kidney disease

The new guidelines provide a framework for identifying patients at risk of kidney disease, evaluating their kidney function, and implementing management strategies. Nearly one-third of HIV-infected patients have abnormal protein in the urine, a warning sign of potential kidney trouble.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 27, 2005

Large-scale study identifies key stress factors facing new mums

A large-scale study identified three key areas of stress faced by new mothers: their maternal role, negative physical and lifestyle changes, and lack of social support. The study also found that personal factors such as tiredness, lack of sleep, and decreasing social activity were major concerns.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateApr 27, 2005

Study of iron overload yields surprising results

Researchers discovered highest blood iron levels among Asians and Pacific Islanders, yet lowest prevalence of associated HFE gene mutations. The study recruited over 100,000 participants to better understand hemochromatosis prevalence in diverse ethnic groups.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 27, 2005
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.

Patronizing behavior can negatively affect women employees' performance

A study led by Penn State University assistant professor Theresa Vescio found that patronizing behavior, characterized by giving subordinates praise while withholding resources, can lead to negative performance outcomes for women. This subtle form of sexism may allow discriminatory practices to go unnoticed.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 27, 2005

AGU journal highlights - 27 April 2005

New research models long-term climate cycles like El Nino, finds molten rock makes big earthquakes bigger, and sheds light on Yellowstone's volcanic activity. A computer simulation produced El Nino-like climate cycles, while another study found that melted rock accelerates plate movement during earthquakes.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 27, 2005

Chemical signatures for bioforensics

The research aims to determine a biological sample's origin by identifying markers, such as metal and protein changes. The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate funds the project.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateApr 27, 2005

Programmable cells: Engineer turns bacteria into living computers

Scientists have successfully programmed E. coli bacteria to respond to signals and form complex patterns, opening doors for biological computing and medical diagnosis. The breakthrough could lead to applications such as detecting chemicals or organisms in laboratory tests and guiding stem cells for tissue engineering.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 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.

Respiratory syncytial virus poses a significant threat to elderly

A four-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms RSV as a substantial burden of disease in adults, similar to influenza A. The study calls for the development of an RSV vaccine for elderly and high-risk adults.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 27, 2005

Costs of medical institutional review boards' greater than previously estimated

A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that the annual operating costs for medical institutional review boards (IRBs) range from $171,014 to $4,705,333. The median cost is $741,920, with low-volume institutions having the lowest IRB costs and high-volume centers benefiting from economies of scale.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 27, 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.

ASGE Foundation to hold first Crystal Awards Dinner

The ASGE Foundation's first Crystal Awards Dinner will pay tribute to recipients of the Society's highest honors, including Rudolf Schindler Award, Master Endoscopist Award, Distinguished Educator Award, and more. The event also raises funds for gastrointestinal endoscopy-related research and public education.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateApr 27, 2005

Herbal medicine may alter cell response to cancer therapeutic agents

A study found that commercially available extracts of black cohosh increased cell killing by two of four drugs used in cancer therapy for breast cancer patients. However, the herb also decreased the effectiveness of one drug. Further research is needed to understand why these effects occur.

SourceYale University·JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment·DateApr 27, 2005

'Live fast, die young' true for forests too

A USGS study reveals that the world's most productive forests, which add new growth each year, have lower birth and death rates. However, if these rates suddenly stop or double, tree numbers would halve in just 30 years. The study suggests that environmental changes considered beneficial to forests may bring about unexpected changes.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalEcology Letters·DateApr 27, 2005

CyberWalk - unconstrained walking in virtual worlds

The CyberWalk project aims to create a fully immersive virtual environment that allows people to walk freely without restrictions. This will enable researchers to study human behavior patterns under controlled conditions. The platform, called the CyberCarpet, features thousands of pivoted spheres propelled by a treadmill.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·DateApr 27, 2005

Exclusive breastfeeding reduces risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission

The study found that mixed breast feeding quadrupled HIV transmission, while predominant breastfeeding increased it by 2.6 times compared to exclusive breastfeeding. Early introduction of non-human milks and solid foods increases the risk of HIV infection for babies of HIV-positive women.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAIDS·DateApr 27, 2005
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.

Harvard scientists create high-speed integrated nanowire circuits

Researchers create high-performance electronic devices using low-temperature fabrication and nanowires, outpacing comparable ring oscillators by a factor of 10,000. The technique paves the way for more complex nanoelectronics and could enable ubiquitous computing devices with improved speed and reduced costs.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 2005

NYU's Dalton Conley is the first sociologist to win NSF's Waterman Award

Dalton Conley, a prominent NYU sociologist, has been recognized as one of the nation's top young sociologists by the National Science Foundation. His research focuses on how socioeconomic status and advantage are transmitted through generations, leading to social inequality, and explores how biological and social factors interact to pr...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateApr 27, 2005

UBC-U of S research offers hope for treatment of age-related blindness

Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-inflammatory drugs were 10 times less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration. This study suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs may be a promising approach for treating the intractable disease.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateApr 27, 2005

'Surprising' findings reported about iron overload

A massive study of 100,000 individuals found that Caucasians have the highest prevalence of hemochromatosis/iron overload due to a specific gene mutation. In contrast, Asian and Pacific Islanders have high blood iron levels despite lower genetic mutations, suggesting a different underlying cause.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 27, 2005
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.

Researchers discover molecular mechanism that desensitizes us to cold

Researchers found a specific region of the receptor interacts with signaling lipid PIP2, leading to desensitization. This discovery provides critical information on temperature regulation and opens new avenues for investigating membrane protein functions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 27, 2005

How the environment could be damaging men's reproductive health

Studies suggest that environmental pollutants like POPs can change sperm distribution and contribute to male reproductive disorders. A Swedish study found a slight increase in Y chromosome-bearing sperm in fishermen exposed to persistent organochlorine pollutants.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateApr 27, 2005

OHSU study finds ginkgo beneficial for MS symptoms

A recent OHSU study suggests that ginkgo biloba may improve attention in MS patients with cognitive impairment, with minimal side effects. The study found that patients taking ginkgo performed better on a test measuring attention and executive functions compared to those receiving a placebo.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·DateApr 27, 2005

Wisconsin researchers identify sleep gene

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a key gene involved in regulating sleep duration, which could lead to new approaches to treating sleep irregularities. The study found that mutations in this gene affect the amount of sleep individuals need and can even impact life span.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 2005
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.