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Science News for June 1, 2005


Highlights of the June 2005 Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Researchers found that African-American girls consistently ate breakfast less frequently than white girls, and that those who skipped breakfast had lower body mass index and lower fiber and calcium intakes. The study suggests that skipping breakfast may predispose adolescent girls to diets that are inadequate in these essential nutrients.

SourceAmerican Dietetic Association·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJun 1, 2005

A few 30 second sprints as beneficial as hour long jog

A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise can improve muscle health and endurance capacity similar to traditional endurance training. The study showed a significant increase in citrate synthase, an enzyme indicating tissue oxygen utilization, in trained subjects.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateJun 1, 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.

Dartmouth professor finds prescription drug advertising 'walks a communications tightrope'

A Dartmouth professor studied two US-air drug ads from 1999 to examine how effectively prescription drug ads convey their messages. The study found that de-integrating risk information improved recall of general information and led to a perception of greater informational content, but no increase in knowledge about the drug's risks.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalResearch in Social and Administrative Pharmacy·DateJun 1, 2005

Genetic variation alters response to common anti-clotting drug

Researchers discovered genetic variations in the VKORC1 gene that affect warfarin dosing, allowing for more precise patient treatment. The study, supported by the NIH Pharmacogenetics Research Network, may enable doctors to set ideal doses quickly and precisely.

SourceNIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 1, 2005
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for June 2005 (first issue)

A study of young adults found a strong association between asthma and panic disorder, with active asthma predicting subsequent panic disorder. The 'electronic nose' technology also showed promise in detecting lung cancer by analyzing exhaled breath samples.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 1, 2005

Drugs from the deep blue

Researchers are exploring marine natural products as a source of new medicines, including compounds that target cancer cells and regulate calcium flow. One compound, phorboxazole, has shown potential in inhibiting tumor cell growth at low concentrations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateJun 1, 2005

New NIAID grants strengthen national biodefense and emerging infectious diseases research network

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded new grants to strengthen the national biodefense and emerging infectious diseases research network. The grants support research on next-generation treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tools for diseases such as anthrax, plague, smallpox, and West Nile fever.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateJun 1, 2005

Eleven gene 'signature' reliably predicts cancer prognosis

Researchers identified an 11-gene BMI-1-pathway signature that consistently predicts disease recurrence, metastasis, and death after therapy in cancer patients. The presence of this gene expression pathway is associated with a high probability of poor therapy outcome and metastasis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 1, 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.

June 2005 Ophthalmology journal

The American Academy of Ophthalmology released its June 2005 journal, featuring studies and research on various aspects of ophthalmology. The journal is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons with over 27,000 members.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateJun 1, 2005

New study has surprise findings on childhood depression

A new study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that dysfunctional family relationships and poor communication styles have a limited impact on childhood depression. Most children exposed to high risk of depression do not appear to become depressed, instead showing resilience.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·DateJun 1, 2005

Rapid-scanning doppler on wheels keeps pace with twisters

The Rapid-Scan DOW radar promises a complete picture of tornado evolution by detailing critical steps in tornado behavior, thanks to its 5- to 10-second resolution and close range. The radar's analysis will help produce better warnings and provide insights into the distribution of features across many types of tornadoes.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateJun 1, 2005
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.

Day care settings are a significant source of indoor allergens

A recent study found that day care centers are a major source of indoor allergens, with detectable levels of various allergens present in every facility. The study also discovered significant differences between carpeted and non-carpeted surfaces, with lower concentrations of allergens on non-carpeted surfaces.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 1, 2005

DOE JGI releases latest version of IMG

The new IMG 1.1 version features enhanced capabilities to improve the efficiency of genome analysis, including a function to compare gene occurrence profiles and support infrastructure for comparative organism statistics. The tool continues to be updated quarterly with new public and DOE JGI genomes.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·DateJun 1, 2005

Where life's memories are stored

Studies of brain-damaged patients reveal that remote autobiographical memories can be preserved even with limited damage to the medial temporal lobe. The researchers found that the ability to recall and experience these memories is more closely tied to neocortical areas than previously thought.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 1, 2005

Status of US citizens influences economic aid to Mexico/Asia

A new study by J. Lawrence Broz suggests that the economic status of US citizens plays a significant role in shaping aid policies towards Mexico and Asia. The study found that constituents who oppose ESF rescues are more likely to lose from globalization, making them less concerned with global economic stability.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateJun 1, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gram-negative bacteria shoot their way into cells

Researchers have captured a detailed picture of the large doughnut-shaped base of the syringe barrel embedded in bacterial membranes. This discovery may lead to the development of new antibacterial drugs that can selectively target disease-causing bacteria, rendering them harmless while sparing beneficial ones.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2005

Air pollution raises risk for dangerous arrhythmias among people with ICDs

A significant association was found between air pollution and an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias among patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators. The risk was particularly high when particulate air pollution, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide were present.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJun 1, 2005

Stress, mood and other factors may affect mom's diet during pregnancy

A study found that pregnant women who are more fatigued, stressed, or anxious tend to eat more carbohydrates and certain nutrients, while others may consume less. The research highlights the importance of considering psychosocial factors when counseling pregnant women on diet during pregnancy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJun 1, 2005
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.

Brain networks change according to cognitive task

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that brain regions involved in information integration shift depending on cognitive task. Dynamic Causal Modeling revealed that specific regions, like the lateral temporal cortex and intraparietal sulcus, act as convergence zones integrating information from other parts of the brain.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJun 1, 2005

Experimental shingles vaccine proves effective in nationwide study

A stronger version of the chickenpox vaccine has been shown to prevent shingles in older adults, reducing incidence by 51% and total burden of pain by 61%. The vaccine also significantly reduces postherpetic neuralgia, a debilitating form of chronic nerve pain.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 1, 2005

AGU Journal highlights - 1 June 2005

Scientists discovered complex deformation in a subduction zone near Japan, while studying the effects of land water storage on global mean sea level over the past half century. Researchers also found a link between the ionosphere's plasma rise and depletion, and discovered that Siberian peatlands release copious carbon as they thaw

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 1, 2005
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.

JCI table of contents June 1, 2005

A new study found that phenotypic and functional qualities of T cells are associated with the ability to regress large tumors. Naïve and early effector T cells were more effective for tumor treatment than more differentiated T cells. This discovery is important for developing improved adoptive immunotherapy approaches.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 1, 2005

American Indians and Alaska Native veterans have higher mortality rate after surgery than Caucasians

A study by Dartmouth Medical School found a higher mortality rate among American Indians and Alaska Natives after surgery, with 3.1% of Americans Indian dying compared to 2.2% of Caucasians. The research highlights existing disparities in healthcare and suggests further investigation into factors contributing to these differences.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 1, 2005
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Treating autism 'right the first time'

A new study developed a predictive profile of children likely to respond to Pivotal Response Training (PRT), a child-directed behavioral intervention. The study successfully matched autistic children with an appropriate therapy, leading to significant gains in language skills, play skills, and social behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateJun 1, 2005

Exploring the 'corner-of-your-eye' phenomenon

The study found that when subjects focus on one feature, they also attend to similar features elsewhere in the visual field. The researchers developed an experimental technique to measure this phenomenon and its implications for understanding how our brain processes visual information.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 1, 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.

Optimizing cell therapy against tumors is a balancing ACT

Researchers identify optimal T cell selection and preparation strategies for adoptive immunotherapy approaches to treat tumors. Naive and early effector T cells are more effective than differentiated T cells in causing regression of large, established melanomas.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 1, 2005

Lactose intolerance linked to ancestral environment

Researchers found that people from Asia and Africa have lower lactase production due to harsh climates and diseases that made dairy farming unfeasible. In contrast, Europeans retain lactase due to historical dairy farming in their ancestral environments.

SourceCornell University·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateJun 1, 2005

Researchers develop new concept for single molecule transistor

Scientists have made a breakthrough in molecular electronics by controlling the conductivity of molecules on a single atom. This innovation allows for the creation of ultra-small and efficient devices, requiring less energy to power and producing less heat than conventional transistors.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2005

New information on reproductive health in St Petersburg

The nuclear family model is becoming widespread in St Petersburg, with Russian women giving birth to one child on average. However, many women experience health problems and unintended infertility. Positive developments include improved sexual education and the use of reliable contraceptives among young women.

SourceAcademy of Finland·DateJun 1, 2005
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.

Yale scientists identify structure for RNA quality control

Researchers at Yale University have identified a molecular mechanism for RNA quality control, which involves the protein Ro recognizing and binding to misfolded RNAs. This discovery sheds light on how cells handle abnormal RNAs that are not translated into proteins.

SourceYale University·JournalCell·DateJun 1, 2005