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Science News for August 10, 2005


Home away from home

Kelly Tian and Russell Belk argue that personal possessions, like photos, stabilize the self in both home and work environments. As work-related artifacts enter the home, symbolic home-related possessions enter the workplace, leading to a blurring of boundaries.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 10, 2005

Complete sequence of rice genome announced

The complete sequence of the rice genome has been announced, providing a genetic toolkit for breeders to develop novel strains that are highly productive, disease-resistant, and environmentally friendly. This breakthrough has significant implications for global food security and sustainable agriculture.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2005

Tough new probe developed for nanotechnologists

Scientists from Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory have created a new type of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe made from ultra-nano-crystalline diamond, exhibiting properties similar to single-crystal diamond. The development enables improved durability and scalability for high-resolution imaging.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSmall·DateAug 10, 2005

Rubble-pile minor planet Sylvia and her twins

Astronomers have discovered a triple asteroid system, with minor planet 87 Sylvia and its twin moons Romulus and Remus. The asteroids were found using the NACO instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope Array in Chile, revealing details about their orbits and composition.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2005

Retail utopia

Researchers uncover how utopian meanings are constructed in retail environments through the lens of a transformed 18th-century home. The study reveals the dynamic qualities of these spaces and their role in both escaping crass commercialization and fostering consumer resistance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 10, 2005

Ecology must be part of research on renewable energy

A review highlights the need for ecological consideration in renewable energy development, particularly offshore wind farms. Environmental impacts of construction, operation, and decommissioning of these projects could harm coastal species and ecosystems. However, offshore renewables also offer opportunities to enhance local biodiversity.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateAug 10, 2005

Harry: The wizard of DVT

A new study involving 30,000 people worldwide will investigate travel-related DVT and its prevention. Professor Harry Büller's research has made significant advances in diagnosing and treating blood clots, with 90% of patients now able to be treated outside hospital

Revelations of rice

The University of Arizona team successfully mapped and sequenced the rice genome, unlocking the secrets of over 37,500 genes. This breakthrough will enable researchers to identify desirable traits such as drought tolerance and pest resistance, leading to improved rice varieties for global food security.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2005

Back-to-back use of two drugs shows strong osteoporosis benefit

A new study shows that combining parathyroid hormone and alendronate for a year followed by a year increases bone density significantly more than other treatments, providing sustained gains. The treatment has the potential to offer the largest gains in bone density yet available at a lower cost than using parathyroid hormone alone.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 10, 2005

Feeding the world

The completed rice genome sequence provides a raw material for studies aimed at improving the agricultural yield of the world's most important food source. The sequence reveals some 37,500 genes on the 12 chromosomes of rice, closely related to other major cereal grasses.