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Science News for March 8, 2005


APS announces 2005 Young Investigators Awards

The American Physiological Society has awarded young investigators in various fields of physiological research, including respiratory physiology and epithelial renal physiology. These awards recognize outstanding promise in the field and support research that could lead to advances in stem cell therapy and gene treatment.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateMar 8, 2005

Husbands' careers trump wives in relocation quest

A study by Washington University researchers found that husbands' education levels have a greater impact on migration patterns than wives', with power couples more likely to move to large cities. The study suggests that women can expect ongoing disparities in professional salaries, as the continued presence of trailing wives contribute...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateMar 8, 2005

Dig Manchester!

The 'Dig Manchester' project has seen the community come together to uncover history, with businesses donating goods in kind and a sense of community pride emerging. The three-year programme will also involve similar projects in Northenden and Wythenshawe, aiming to promote local heritage and regeneration.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateMar 8, 2005

Could microbes solve Russia's chemical weapons conundrum?

Researchers found that P putida can transform mustard by-product toxins, decreasing their levels by up to 83%. This biotechnological method offers maximum environmental safety by degrading pollutants into harmless products. The bacteria strain could be used in plant-microbial associations for future remediation of contaminated soils.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology·DateMar 8, 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.

Superglue of planet formation: Sticky ice

Scientists at PNNL discovered that micron-wide dust particles encrusted with molecularly gluey ice enabled planets to bulk up quickly enough to overcome solar winds. Fluffy ice provided a cushioning effect, allowing icy grains to stick together and grow into large lumps.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateMar 8, 2005

Pet scanning better for heart disease diagnosis, management

A new study suggests that PET scanning is more accurate than SPECT in detecting heart disease, leading to a significant decrease in the use of invasive procedures like angiograms and bypass surgery. This could result in cost savings of up to 25% for patients managed with PET scanning.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateMar 8, 2005

Panacea or Pandora's box

A University of Pennsylvania study identified 22 ways in which CPOE systems facilitate medication errors, including information errors and human-machine interface flaws. The researchers recommend that institutions focus on the organization of work within the hospital and continuously evaluate and improve their technology.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateMar 8, 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.

Powerful tool crunches commutes

A powerful tool, BeatTheTraffic.com, crunches commutes by predicting the best time to hit the road and suggests alternate routes. Researchers have found that many commuters can save more time by altering their departure time than using mass transit.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateMar 8, 2005

New way to make human embryonic stem cell therapy safer

Researchers have developed a new way to culture human embryonic stem cells without using animal-derived materials, reducing the risk of contamination with pathogens. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective stem cell therapies for treating various diseases.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 8, 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.

Student identifies electrical changes preceding heart failure

Researchers discovered two distinct phases of electrical disturbances in the heart before mechanical abnormalities occur. These findings could lead to new medications that halt or reverse heart failure. The study was conducted by a student researcher and his mentor, with support from the Johns Hopkins University.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateMar 8, 2005

Norovirus found to cause traveler's diarrhea

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Norovirus causes 65% of traveler's diarrhea in US visitors to Mexico and Guatemala. The researchers also discovered a higher rate of dual infections with E. coli, suggesting that these co-infections may be more common than previously thought.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateMar 8, 2005

Blood pressure treatment could cut risk of strokes and heart attacks

The Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) found that a new treatment strategy for hypertension reduced the risk of strokes and heart attacks by 25% and 15%, respectively. The new strategy, combining calcium channel blocker amlodipine with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril, outperformed traditional therapy ...

SourceImperial College London·DateMar 8, 2005

How effective are herbal supplements in reducing illnesses in children?

Several herbal supplements have shown promise in reducing illnesses in children, including Andrographis paniculata, Evening primrose oil, Ivy leaf, and Valerian. These supplements may help improve symptoms of colds, asthma, and other respiratory infections in children.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMar 8, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

William C. Rose Award lecture will focus on cytochrome P450

The William C. Rose Award lecture will focus on the importance of cytochrome P450s in drug development, endocrinology, and toxicology. Dr. Guengerich's recent work includes kinetic analysis and methods to define substrates and products of orphan P450s.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateMar 8, 2005
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Pregnant women should exercise to keep depression away

A recent study found that pregnant women who engaged in regular exercise had improved mental health and reduced symptoms of depression. The research suggests that moderate exercise, such as 30 minutes a day, can help counteract the negative effects of pregnancy on physical and mental well-being.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 8, 2005

Cockroach allergens have greatest impact on childhood asthma in many US cities

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that cockroach allergens are a primary contributor to childhood asthma in inner-city home environments. The study suggests that general cleaning practices, extermination techniques, and maintenance methods can reduce allergen levels.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 8, 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.

Allergen exposure in inner cities varies throughout the U.S.

A new study found that inner city children in the US are exposed to different levels of indoor allergens depending on their location and home type. Cockroaches were found to have the greatest impact on asthma morbidity, causing more severe symptoms and increased healthcare visits.

SourceAmerican Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 8, 2005

UCLA scientists store materials in cells' natural vaults

Researchers have discovered a method to store biomaterials in cells' natural vaults, enabling targeted drug delivery and gene editing. This approach may prove safer than traditional methods by minimizing the risk of an immune response.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2005

MUHC researchers make cancer target breakthrough

MUHC researchers have identified a potential new cancer target using antisense technology, which inhibits the MTHFR gene. The breakthrough has shown promise in reducing lung and colon cancer tumors in laboratory-based tissue cultures and mice.

SourceMcGill University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateMar 8, 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.

Oldest fossil human protein ever sequenced

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully sequenced a fossil human protein from over 40,000 years ago, providing valuable information on human evolution and diet. The analysis reveals that the Neanderthal sequence is identical to modern humans', suggesting a shared dietary history.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2005

How much can your mind keep track of?

Research reveals that humans have a limited capacity for processing multiple variables simultaneously, with performance decreasing significantly as problem complexity rises. The study found that academics struggled to accurately solve problems involving four or more variables, often reporting feelings of information loss and confusion.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 8, 2005

Emotional memory study reveals evidence for a self-reinforcing loop

The study reveals that emotional pictures are recalled better than neutral ones, and this recall is associated with increased activity in the amygdala and hippocampus. The researchers propose a synergistic mechanism where emotion triggers recollection, creating a loop that could help understand traumatic memory recall in PTSD patients.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2005

Researchers close in on breast cancer vaccine

Researchers have made significant progress in developing a breast cancer vaccine, using a protein called mammaglobin-A found in 80% of breast tumors. The DNA vaccine has been shown to stimulate an immune response that can recognize and attack tumor cells expressing the protein.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateMar 8, 2005
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.