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Science News for March 29, 2005


Selling your self and losing your memory

A study by Lastovicka and Fernandez found that people use divestment rituals to purge bad memories when giving away possessions. By offering prized possessions to strangers, individuals can maintain a sense of shared identity and boundary between self and other.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Components in grapes inhibit enzyme key to proliferation of cancer cells

Researchers discovered specific phytochemicals in grapes that work synergistically against human DNA topoisomerase II, a key enzyme in cancer cell proliferation. The findings support the argument for eating whole foods and may lead to the development of new anti-cancer strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMar 29, 2005

Sea skate experiment sheds light on human cell transport

Researchers discovered a universal cellular mechanism that helps cells release excess water, shedding light on kidney function and potential applications to type 1 diabetes and cancer. This finding highlights the importance of vesicle insertion and phosphorylation in regulating cellular transport.

SourceBrown University·DateMar 29, 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.

March/April 2005 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Researchers found that individuals with high transferrin saturation levels have a 2.24 times greater relative risk of cancer when consuming excessive iron intake, emphasizing the need for dietary restrictions to mitigate this risk. Additionally, a study analyzing over 35,000 participants revealed that family-level influences significan...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 29, 2005

Improved dielectric developed for chip-level copper circuitry

The new dielectric material has a high thermal stability, low moisture pick-up, and can withstand chemical-mechanical polishing. By adding porogens, the researchers lowered the dielectric constant to 1.85 while maintaining hardness and stiffness.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateMar 29, 2005

Changes in Earth's tilt control when glacial cycles end

A study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers finds that variations in the Earth's axis tilt control the timing of glaciations, acting as a planetary pacemaker. The researchers developed a simple model to analyze the effects of changes in tilt on climate belts and seasons.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateMar 29, 2005

Autism linked to mirror neuron dysfunction

Research suggests individuals with autism spectrum disorders have a dysfunctional mirror neuron system, contributing to impairments in social interaction and communication. Biofeedback and mirror therapy may be potential treatments for high-functioning autistics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCognitive Brain Research·DateMar 29, 2005
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.

Carrots of color

Dr. Leonard Pike aims to breed a carrot containing lutein, carotene, anthocyanin, and lycopene, which have been shown to ward off various diseases and improve health. The goal is to create a healthier snack option for Americans who consume over 5 pounds of carrots annually.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateMar 29, 2005

Study reveals potential new target for cholesterol-lowering drugs

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that deleting the Pcsk9 gene in mice increased LDL receptors and lowered LDL cholesterol levels. This discovery suggests new drugs targeting PCSK9 may be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, particularly for individuals unable to take statins.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2005

OHSU scientists test medication to treat involuntary weight loss

Researchers at OHSU have developed a medication that blocks the MC4 receptor to reverse the effects of cachexia, increasing appetite and weight while decreasing metabolic rate. The study demonstrates a potential new treatment for this serious disorder, providing hope for patients affected by AIDS and cancer.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalEndocrinology·DateMar 29, 2005

'Color-blind' method opens new doors in DNA sequencing

A new DNA sequencing method called pulsed multiline excitation (PME) uses four lasers to eliminate cross-talk between dyes, resulting in more precise sequence information. This technology could lower costs for high-throughput genetic scans and lead to rapid and inexpensive genome sequencing.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2005

'Chemical dynamic' duo aids Navy

A software suite will be developed to simulate and calculate chemical properties, enabling the control of complex chemical processes in Navy's all-electric ships. The partnership combines advances in molecular theories, computer algorithms, and supercomputing capabilities.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateMar 29, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Oaxacan migrants support family and community

Oaxacan migrants prioritize family and community over individual gain, using remittances to fulfill obligations and maintain social status. Most migrants return home for no more than a year to support households, construct homes, and pay for education.

SourcePenn State·DateMar 29, 2005

Challenging the Venus and Mars theory

A study by Fisher and Dubé finds that men exhibit significant emotional responses to ads when alone, contrary to the stereotype of women being more 'emotional'. The research reveals that males are sensitive to specific types of emotions in social environments, leading to profound implications for advertisers approaching male customers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

New findings about protection against pneumococcal disease

Researchers have discovered that natural protection against pneumococcal disease may not rely solely on antibodies. Long-lasting immunity to pneumococcus was found in mice exposed to live bacteria or a whole-cell vaccine, which stimulates CD4+ T-cells to provide protection at the earliest stage of infection.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 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.

Being resolute with resolutions

The study reveals that individual differences in naïve beliefs regarding self-control affect personal goals. It challenges the conventional assumption that success at achieving goals is a manifestation of effective self-control.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Enticing the bilingual consumer

A recent study found that advertisers who switched from a majority to a minority language (typically English to Spanish) elicited more negative thoughts and lower product evaluations than those switching in reverse. This suggests that consumers perceive minority languages as having less prestige, affecting persuasion.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

The power of pride

This study explores how positive emotions, specifically pride, influence consumer behavior and repurchasing decisions. Key findings show that high pride can lead to reduced repurchase intentions due to differing self-regulatory goals. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting consumer behavior in marketing strategies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 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.

Does wooing work?

Consumers demonstrate general reciprocity by rewarding firms for actions with no personal benefit, based on perceived motives. The study's findings suggest that the true motives of firms do not influence consumer responses to effort.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Research into how consumers pick from a host of product features

Research demonstrates that the probability of purchase from a given assortment is contingent on the complementarity of its features, rather than just noncomplementary attributes like size, color, and flavor. The study's findings suggest that assortments with complementary features may lead to a more adverse impact on consumer choice.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

Unexpected benefit seen in treating HER-2 breast cancer with new preoperative drug combo

Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with Herceptin before surgery in early-stage breast cancer patients resulted in a 42% higher tumor reduction and 66.7% pathological complete remission rate compared to chemotherapy alone. The combination also showed less risk of heart damage, leading the clinical trial to be halted early.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 29, 2005

The cult of consumerism

Researchers found that brand communities exhibit transformative experiences, magic, religion, and supernatural elements. Consumers take on a cult-like role, modifying products, innovating, and sharing stories to sustain the brand's values and beliefs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 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.

UW study shows blacks and Latinos are more satisfied with physicians of the same race

A national survey of over 3,800 patients found that nearly 25% of blacks and 33% of Latinos prefer physicians of the same race. This preference is linked to higher patient satisfaction rates. Researchers suggest addressing racial disparities in healthcare by increasing access to minority physicians and improving patient choice options.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 29, 2005

Playing the game

The article explores how social class affects consumer practices through the concept of habitus, which shapes self-concept and everyday spending. Professional consumers exhibit more elaborate budgeting strategies due to their experience of empowerment.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005