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Science News for June 15, 2005


Nicotine triggers the same brain reward circuitry as opiates

Researchers found that nicotine activates CREB in the brain's reward pathway, which is also triggered by opiates and cocaine. This suggests a potential new approach to treating nicotine addiction by blocking the reward pathway with opioid receptor blockers.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 15, 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.

'Supersolid' or melted 'superfluid' film: A quantum difference

Researchers John S. Wettlaufer and J. G. Dash propose an alternative explanation for the behavior of a solid isotope of helium at low temperatures. They suggest that a thin, lubricating superfluid film forms between the solid and its container due to melting at the boundary, which occurs in all solids.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 15, 2005

NWO/Spinoza prize to cancer research, cognitive sciences, physics and mathematics

Dutch researchers have won the NWO/Spinoza prize for their groundbreaking work in cancer research, cognitive sciences, physics and mathematics. Prof R Bernards developed innovative genetic technologies to predict breast cancer metastases, while Prof P Hagoort demonstrated that damaged brains can still understand language via other routes.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJun 15, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Placebos can bring emotional relief

Researchers found that placebo treatment reduced subjects' ratings of unpleasant pictures and activity in emotional centers. The study generalizes the concept of placebo effect and its underlying neural mechanisms for both pain perception and emotional stimuli.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 15, 2005

Research: Noise, visual cues affect infants' language development

A study conducted by George Hollich and colleagues found that moderate background noise can distract infants from learning language, emphasizing the need for visual cues. The research showed that when infants could see a speaker's face while hearing them speak, they focused longer on the spoken word.

SourcePurdue University·JournalChild Development·DateJun 15, 2005

Health effects from wet work are of great concern

Multiple short exposures to wet work can cause more dermatitis than single long exposures, emphasizing the need for preventive measures. Reducing frequent and intense exposure of hands to water, detergents, and soaps is crucial in preventing hand eczema.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·DateJun 15, 2005

NIH creates nationwide network of molecular libraries screening centers

The NIH has established a nationwide network of molecular libraries screening centers, enabling academic researchers to explore novel ideas and progress on treating human diseases. The network will utilize the PubChem database to facilitate high-throughput assays and identify potential targets for new therapies.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateJun 15, 2005
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Nanoparticles carry cancer-killing drugs into tumor cells

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a nanoparticle-based treatment that targets cancer cells, increasing therapeutic response and reducing drug toxicity. The treatment uses dendrimers to deliver methotrexate and folate, allowing the cancer cells to internalize the drugs while minimizing harm to normal cells.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 15, 2005

The bigger the serving, the more young children will eat

A recent study published in Appetite found that preschool children aged 4-6 consume more food when served larger portions, regardless of their previous meal size. The researchers monitored the food intake of 16 children over five days and discovered that increased snack offerings also contributed to higher total daily calorie consumption.

SourceCornell University·JournalAppetite·DateJun 15, 2005
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

New tools help identify what works to encourage women in engineering

The new assessment tool, ADAPT, provides a platform for tracking participant data by demographics, activities, and institution data warehouses. The researchers found that comprehensive assessment techniques can help evaluate and revamp existing programs, leading to better outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

SourcePenn State·DateJun 15, 2005

Promiscuous catalytic activity possessed by novel enzyme structure

Researchers have isolated a new enzyme, Orf2, that can modify a wide range of small aromatic molecules by adding a prenyl group. This modification can significantly impact the molecule's biological properties and could be used to create biologically active compounds for drug development.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 15, 2005

Genes exert powerful effect on sexual behavior

Researchers found that genetic manipulation of the fruitless gene in females led to classic male sexual behavior patterns, including courtship dances. The study suggests a strong biological basis for sexual behavior and orientation in animal species.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateJun 15, 2005

Exposure to sunlight may decrease risk of prostate cancer

Researchers found men with high sun exposure had half the risk of prostate cancer compared to those with low sun exposure. Men with certain gene variants showed a 65% reduced risk, suggesting sunlight helps reduce prostate cancer risk through vitamin D production.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 15, 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.

Promoting hair growth

Researchers find that stabilizing a protein called â-catenin drives hair follicle development by reducing the threshold for stem cell activation. Key genes controlling this process are identified, providing new insights into promoting hair growth.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateJun 15, 2005

National Service Framework for heart failure urgently needed

A large European survey of 11,000 patients admitted with heart failure found that only two thirds had received a heart tracing, while four out of ten patients lacked an ACE inhibitor prescription. Multidisciplinary treatment can cut hospital admissions and deaths from heart failure.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalHeart·DateJun 15, 2005

Gastric bug link to irregular heart rhythm

A study of 59 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation found a strong link between Helicobacter pylori infection and elevated C reactive protein levels, suggesting chronic gastritis may predispose to atrial fibrillation. The researchers also noted that H pylori has properties enabling it to evade the immune system.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalHeart·DateJun 15, 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.

Senior citizen support for school spending is growing

A recent study by Penn State researchers found that senior citizens are becoming more supportive of educational spending, defying expectations. The data contradicts long-held assumptions about the role of aging and retirement in shaping attitudes towards school funding.

SourcePenn State·JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly·DateJun 15, 2005

Arthritis of the spine often overlooked in children

A life impact study found that adults with childhood onset ankylosing spondylitis experience more serious physical deformity and work-related disability than those who develop the disease as adults. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve symptoms and prevent long-term effects.

SourceTexas Children's Hospital·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateJun 15, 2005

A new model of quantum dots: Rethinking the electronics

Researchers have found that a quantum dot's dielectric function is virtually identical to its bulk material counterpart, except near the surface. This discovery could revolutionize electronic devices by allowing for more precise control over their properties.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 15, 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.

Improved water vapor sensor takes to the skies

The WVSS II sensors gather data more often, at higher vertical resolution, and at lower cost than satellites and balloons. This improves forecasts of thunderstorms, microbursts, turbulence, fog, ceiling visibility, rotating wakes from other aircraft, snow and ice storms, and year-round precipitation.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateJun 15, 2005

Maryland's poor, African-American communities suffer disproportionate cancer risk from air pollution

A new study found that low-income, African-American communities in Maryland are more likely to be exposed to high levels of air pollutants, increasing their cancer risk. The study suggests that targeted emissions-reduction policies can help mitigate this disparity and improve health outcomes for these communities.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJun 15, 2005

American Thoracic Society journal news tips for June 2005 (second issue)

A study found that disease reinfection rates for TB were four times higher than new cases in South Africa. Additionally, researchers discovered that low-dose spiral computer-based tomography (CT) screening can lead to an early diagnosis of lung cancer in a high proportion of cases.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 15, 2005

A vaccine approach to treating Parkinson's disease

Scientists at UCSD and Elan Pharmaceuticals have successfully vaccinated mice with a combination of human alpha-synuclein protein and adjuvant, reducing abnormal alpha-synuclein accumulation and promoting nerve cell survival.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeuron·DateJun 15, 2005
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.