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Science News Archive February 2005


Page 3 of 13

Plant derivative attacks the roots of leukemia

A plant derivative called parthenolide selectively kills leukemia stem cells while sparing normal cells, offering a promising new therapy for leukemia. This breakthrough research identifies molecular pathways that allow parthenolide to induce cancer cell death.

When the brain, not the ears, goes hard of hearing

As we age, our brain's ability to filter out background noise and sort information affects our hearing. Researchers have found a 'feedback' problem in the brain that diminishes our ability to hear, particularly in older adults who experience age-related hearing loss.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Contaminated needles not contributing to spread of HIV in Africa

Researchers analyzed data from a three-year study in rural Zimbabwe and found no correlation between contaminated needle use and increased HIV transmission. The study collected data from over 1,800 participants and excluded injections as a major transmission route.

Probable trigger of kidney disease in diabetics identified

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding diabetic nephropathy by identifying CD36 as the probable trigger of kidney disease in diabetics. High glucose levels cause a change on the surface of cells, triggering the production of CD36, which leads to kidney cell death.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Hormone therapy increases risk of urinary incontinence

A large clinical trial found that menopausal hormone therapy increased the incidence of urinary incontinence, particularly stress UI, and worsened its characteristics among symptomatic women. The study suggests that MHT should be reevaluated as a treatment option for UI.

Plants respond similarly to signals from friends, enemies

Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that plants respond similarly to signals from both beneficial rhizobia and parasitic root-knot nematodes. This response involves rapid changes in the distribution of the plant's cytoskeleton, leading to growth changes such as nodules or galls.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Frozen sea discovered near Martian equator from 3D images of Mars Express

A frozen sea was discovered near the Martian equator using 3D images from the Mars Express probe, revealing a vast area of ice that may have been home to primitive life. The find is significant as it suggests that liquid water on Mars existed for thousands of millions of years, providing a possible habitat for life.

Cancer in patients with hepatitis C

Researchers found significantly higher risks of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma among HCV patients in Sweden. The risk increases with the duration of HCV infection, suggesting that long-lasting infection may contribute to cancer development.

Scientists replicate hepatitis C virus in laboratory

Researchers have successfully replicated the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a laboratory setting using a new in vitro model system. The system allows for the study of HCV therapeutics and the entire virus life cycle, including replication, assembly, and release from host cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Anti-rollover device for tractors

A team of researchers designed a protective structure to reduce tractor rollover accidents, resulting in improved agricultural worker safety. The 'Estrema' programme calculates necessary structures for various types of tractors, with enhanced models approved for use in the agricultural sector.

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.

Rapid, new test develped for inherited immune deficiency

The new test can identify babies born with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), a life-threatening illness, early on, allowing for effective treatment. The test uses dried blood samples from newborns, providing the first accurate and high-throughput screen for immune deficiencies.

Science is ally of international law on Danube

A joint environmental monitoring system was established between Hungary and Slovakia to assess the dam's impact on the Danube River. The authors recommend integrating this system with regional monitoring structures to achieve sustainable management of shared water resources.

Research advances quest for HIV-1 vaccine

A study led by Drs. Dennis R. Burton and Ian A. Wilson identified the specific amino acids on gp41 that 4E10 interacts with, revealing its unique ability to target a conserved region near the surface of the virus. This research advances the quest for an HIV-1 vaccine, providing valuable insights into broadly neutralizing antibodies.

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.

Almost only counts in horseshoes — and computer chips

USC researchers have found that flawed hardware can be tolerable in various applications, such as graphics and accounting. They've developed simple test structures to determine attributes of erroneous performance, enabling cost-efficient testing and prediction.

UCLA study shows that people drink less alcohol as they age

A recent UCLA study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people's drinking habits decrease with age, with an average decline of 9-11% per decade. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to track changes in drinking behavior over time.

Urgent measures needed to retain our lead in pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry is struggling with declining productivity and increasing R&D costs, prompting the need for innovative solutions. Personalized medicine offers a promising approach by targeting drugs to individuals likely to respond well, while regional development and cluster formation can foster collaboration and competitiv...

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.

Treatment guidelines for kids with bipolar disorder published

The new guidelines, developed by a team of leading experts in child psychiatry, provide evidence-based recommendations for treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. The guidelines emphasize the importance of using multiple medications to stabilize moods and promote recovery.

Jefferson scientists uncover potential trigger of diabetic kidney disease

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a protein called CD36 that may play a key role in the development of diabetic kidney disease. The study found that CD36 is present in specific cells and can trigger self-directed cell death or apoptosis, leading to progressive kidney failure.

New species from old data

Researchers have discovered three new bacterial species, Wolbachia wAna, wSim, and wMoj, in the genomes of Drosophila fruit flies. The discovery was made by scanning raw genomic data from the Trace Archive, a public repository of sequencing projects.

Diagnosis of prions in patients should utilize novel strategy, team says

A new diagnostic technique, conformation-dependent immunoassay (CDI), is being considered as the standard approach for brain biopsies of patients suspected of having prion disease. The study found that CDI detected prions in 100% of samples studied, while traditional tests failed to detect them in a high proportion of cases.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Physical activity linked to protection from Parkinson's disease

Men who were most physically active at start of study cut their risk by 50 percent, while strenuous activity in early adult life reduced risk by 60 percent. Physical activity was also linked to lower risk in women, although this relationship was not statistically significant.

New collaborations offer hope for HIV/AIDS vaccine

The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS and the American Association for the Advancement of Science are promoting global health partnerships to accelerate HIV/AIDS vaccine research. Collaborations between governments, industry, and multilateral organizations can make a substantial difference in advancing vaccine development.

Cracking the olfactory code in bees

Bees' brains process scents in a complex system that correlates with behavioral responses, suggesting a species-specific code for odor recognition. The study's findings improve understanding of animal perception and memory, paving the way for further research.

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.

Life on Mars? New data reveal places to search

Researchers found diverse surface materials, including hydrated minerals, which suggest water was common on Mars. The study suggests areas like Syrtis Major, Valles Marineris, and Terra Meridiani are strong candidates for future Mars missions.

Failing to aid Africa will lead to more terrorism

According to Pinstrup-Andersen, failing to address Africa's devastating poverty will exacerbate global instability and push millions towards terrorism. The consequences of malnutrition and environmental degradation in Africa will have far-reaching effects on worldwide security.

Why some lung cancers stop responding to Tarceva and Iressa

Researchers found that tumors developing secondary resistance to Tarceva and Iressa had an additional EGFR mutation, rendering the drugs ineffective. The discovery highlights the need for alternative targeted therapies for patients with KRAS mutations.

Ecological destruction fuels emerging diseases

Dr. Brooks' research highlights the link between biodiversity decline and emerging human and wildlife diseases, such as West Nile Virus and avian flu. He argues that understanding parasite life cycles is crucial to preventing these diseases.

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.

Bird IQ test takes flight

A bird IQ test, developed by Dr. Lefebvre, ranks species based on their innovative feeding behaviors observed in the wild. The study found that birds with greater behavioral flexibility and larger forebrains are more successful in new environments.

An evolutionary road less traveled

Researchers found that genetic diversity of the Mlabri is significantly lower than other agriculture-based hill tribes, indicating a severe population reduction around 500-1000 years ago. This reverts previous assumptions that contemporary hunter-gatherer groups represent pre-agricultural human populations.

Migraine linked to risky heart health

People with migraine are 43% more likely to be smokers and have high cholesterol, while those with aura symptoms are more likely to have high blood pressure and history of stroke or heart disease. The study suggests a shared predisposition toward both conditions.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Use of cell phone images appears feasible for visualizing leg wounds

A new study by University Hospital of Geneva suggests that cell phone images can be used to visualize and diagnose leg wounds remotely. The researchers evaluated the use of cell phones to take images of leg ulcers, transmit them to experts, and receive diagnoses, with high levels of agreement between remote and in-person evaluations.

'Blinding' an insect's sense of smell may be the best repellent

Scientists have discovered a gene responsible for an insect's sense of smell, which is highly conserved across four different species, including pests that target crops and human health. This finding could lead to the development of new pesticides and disease-controlling insect repellents by targeting the insects' sense of smell.

The secret to longevity in tubeworms

Scientists discover that tubeworms release waste sulfate to stimulate sulfide-producing microbes, enabling their remarkable 250-year lifespan. This symbiotic relationship helps the worms thrive in deep-sea environments where nutrients are scarce.

SARS surveillance via mass spectometry

Scientists adapted a molecular biology technique called mass spectrometry-based genotyping to quickly detect and analyze the SARS virus from clinical samples. This breakthrough provides valuable information on transmission routes and containment policies.

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.

The recombination gender gap

The study analyzed a dataset of 107 plants and animals, showing that the opportunity for selection to act on a gamete can influence recombination rates. The researchers found that strong selection on female gametes could lead to lower recombination rates in females.

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.

Resistance to chemotherapy

Scientists found that tumors from six patients with non-small cell lung cancer who initially responded to gefitinib or erlotinib but relapsed carried activating mutations in the EGFR gene. The resistant tumor cells also carried a second mutation in the EGFR gene, which causes resistance to these drugs.