Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for May 16, 2005


Two new retroviruses—transmitted from animals—identified

Researchers have discovered two new retroviruses, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4, transmitted from animals to humans through contact with primate blood and body fluids. The study highlights the importance of surveillance among bushmeat hunters and the need for further research into disease outcomes and potential human-to-human transmission.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2005

PNAS highlights for the week of May 16 - 20

Researchers analyzed voting patterns and committee memberships to find the most partisan committees, including the Select Committee on Homeland Security. They also developed a mathematical tool to identify Representatives' partisanship and cooperativity. Additionally, they created insulin-producing cells from human liver cells that can...

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 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.

Study finds medication prevents travelers' diarrhea

A clinical trial found rifaximin effective in preventing travelers' diarrhea, with only 14.74% of participants experiencing symptoms after two weeks of daily dosing. The antibiotic lacks side effects and does not stimulate resistance in bacteria, making it a promising preventive measure.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 16, 2005

Study finds ADHD improves with sensory intervention

Researchers found significant improvement in sensory avoiding behaviors and tactile sensitivity after therapy sessions for children with ADHD. The treatment helped children better attend to lessons in noisy classrooms and participate in family activities.

SourceTemple University Health System·DateMay 16, 2005

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for May 17, 2005

Researchers found rifaximin significantly reduces mild diarrhea in travelers, while updated guidelines advise against hormone replacement therapy (HT) for postmenopausal women after hysterectomy. A study also discovered that slightly elevated blood sugar levels do not increase the risk of new heart attacks in women with established cor...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 16, 2005

Multiple views from CT scans may improve diagnosis

New CT scan technology uses multiple planes to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, reducing reading time by up to 40%. The approach increases confidence in diagnoses, particularly for complex cases like metastatic tumors.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateMay 16, 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.

Antibody combined with cancer drug shows promise against breast tumors

Researchers discovered an antibody compound that effectively targets and destroys blood vessels within cancerous tumors, reducing tumor growth by 93% when combined with docetaxel. This promising treatment approach may offer a new solution to treating breast cancer patients with limited effectiveness from traditional therapies.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCancer Research·DateMay 16, 2005
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

President Bush honors excellence in mentoring

Nine individuals and five organizations were recognized for their outstanding mentorship efforts to broaden opportunities in science, mathematics, and engineering education. The honorees include Lenore Blum, Barbara Burke, Charlena Grimes, Richard Ladner, Jeffrey Russell, Herb Schroeder, John Warner, Steven Watkins, and Elizabeth Yanik.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateMay 16, 2005

Babies' cries linked to their health

Infants at medical risk, such as premature babies or those exposed to lead or drugs, exhibit distinct cry patterns that may indicate neurological problems. Cry analysis, supported by previous studies, can help identify undetected damage in high-risk infants.

SourceLifespan·JournalMental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews·DateMay 16, 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.

OTC treatments for reflux fail to match relief of prescriptions

A multinational survey found that OTC medications are less effective in relieving GERD symptoms compared to prescription medication. Prescription proton pump inhibitors and other drugs showed significant symptom improvement, with 80% and 90% of patients reporting relief, respectively.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 16, 2005

UCLA study assesses cost-effectiveness of Hepatitis B drugs

The study found that the newest drug therapy – adefovir – was not cost-effective when taken alone but became very cost-effective when reserved as a second-line agent in people who develop viral resistance for lamivudine. The hybrid treatment strategy of lamivudine and adefovir is also a viable option.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 16, 2005

Very large diamonds produced very fast

Scientists have successfully produced 10-carat, half-inch thick single-crystal diamonds at a rapid growth rate of 100 micrometers per hour using CVD. This achievement is approximately five times that of commercially available diamonds and marks a major breakthrough in diamond production.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateMay 16, 2005

Biologic therapies for bowel disease show promise in clinical trials

Recent clinical trials have shown promising results for biologic therapies in treating Crohn's disease, with Alequel achieving high clinical remission rates. Additionally, a study on adalimumab has demonstrated increased efficacy over time, while maintaining a strong safety profile.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 16, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Vitamin D, taxotere combination promising for advanced prostate cancer

Researchers found that the combination of DN-101 and docetaxel extended overall survival by 7.1 months without increasing toxicity, outperforming docetaxel alone. Additionally, the treatment resulted in a strong PSA response, with 63% of patients experiencing a reduction in prostate-specific antigen.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·DateMay 16, 2005

A hope for oil spill bioremediation

Researchers found that certain populations of bacteria in contaminated coastal waters can degrade crude oil components, particularly polycyclic aromatic compounds. This discovery suggests that indigenous microbiota have evolved to handle the pollution, paving the way for potential bioremediation methods.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2005

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for May 2005 (second issue)

A national population-based study of 16,036 lung cancer patients found that Hispanics with curable stage I lung cancer had poorer lung cancer specific survival rates and worse all-cause mortality than white persons. This disparity was largely explained by lower surgical resection rates among Hispanics and a higher probability of being ...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 16, 2005
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

NASA postpones satellite launch

NASA has delayed the launch of its NOAA-N satellite until at least May 20th following a vent hose malfunction during last Thursday's attempt. Contamination risks were identified, prompting further testing and sample collection to ensure payload safety.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 16, 2005

An alternative to prevent UC-associated colon cancer

Researchers found statin chemoprevention to be a promising strategy for managing patients with chronic ulcerative colitis, preventing 90-96% of colon cancers. Compared to frequent colonoscopic surveillance, this approach may improve quality of life and reduce costs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateMay 16, 2005

Radioactive isotope is effective against neuroblastoma

A phase 2 trial of MIBG therapy shows an overall response rate of 35 percent in children with refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma. The treatment selectively targets tumor cells and has a lower risk of toxic effects on blood cells compared to conventional treatments.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·DateMay 16, 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.

Those at high-risk for skin cancer burnt by own behaviour

Patients with a personal or family history of melanoma exhibit similar sunbathing patterns and protective measures to low-risk populations, highlighting the need for improved education and awareness campaigns.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery·DateMay 16, 2005

Heart scan surprises: CT reveals many non-heart problems, too

Researchers found non-heart abnormalities in 61% of patients who underwent CTCA scans, including lung cancer, emphysema, and fluid buildup. The study emphasizes the need for a team-based approach to reading these scans, with both radiologists and technologists requiring specialized training.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateMay 16, 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.

Rice, Iowa state biologists search for 'half-fusion'

Researchers at Rice University and Iowa State University discovered that hemifusion is an intermediate fusion state in biological systems, where the outer layer of the membrane mixes with the inner layer. This finding suggests that hemifusion may be the mechanism used by all living cells to facilitate membrane fusion.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMay 16, 2005

Are CT angiograms overused?

A recent study has found that CT angiograms are being performed at a significantly higher rate than necessary, leading to increased radiation exposure for patients. The study, which analyzed data from 2002-2004, showed that the percentage of patients with pulmonary embolism diagnosed using CTA decreased over time.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·DateMay 16, 2005

Stegosaur plates and spikes for looks only, researchers say

A team of paleontologists analyzed stegosaur plates to rule out thermoregulation as a function. Instead, they suggest that the plates may have been used for species recognition, similar to African antelopes. The analysis also found that scutes on other dinosaur ancestors had similar internal structures, supporting this theory.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPaleobiology·DateMay 16, 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.

Obesity linked to colorectal and esophageal cancers

Research reveals that high BMI is associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma and weight reduction significantly decreases this risk. Obesity is also linked to an increased incidence of esophageal cancer, particularly in patients with Barrett's Esophagus.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 16, 2005

Quantifying network vulnerability, and the best way to find hidden items

Scientists at the University of Thessaloniki, Bar-Ilan University, and Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen have quantified network vulnerability, finding that knowledge of top nodes can significantly reduce attack points. This research has implications for controlling contagious disease spread through social networks.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 16, 2005

Global wind map may provide better locations for wind farms

A new study maps global wind speeds to identify regions suitable for wind farms, finding consistent winds in the Great Lakes region and along coastal areas. The research suggests that harnessing a fraction of this energy could meet the world's electricity demands, but practical barriers remain.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·DateMay 16, 2005
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Failed lung cancer drug could help shrink breast tumors

A study found that inhibiting EGFR with gefitinib can reduce breast tumor size by 30-99% in some cases. Researchers are now designing studies to assess the potential of this approach as a neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMay 16, 2005

Dermatologists use immunotherapy to treat warts

Researchers found that injecting a wart with a skin test antigen from mumps, Candida, or Trichophyton can clear the wart and other distant warts. Patients who responded to treatment were more likely to have an immune response to HPV, suggesting intralesional immunotherapy induces HPV-directed immunity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateMay 16, 2005

New methods offer alternatives for patients undergoing obesity surgery

Researchers explore new and existing obesity surgery options, including the use of endoscopic suturing kits to reduce stomach size and improve weight loss outcomes. The study found that vertical gastroplasty was the best bariatric operation for older patients, resulting in significant weight loss with minimal complications.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 16, 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.

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.

Chemo-radiation therapy treatment gives head-and-neck cancer a 1-2 punch

Researchers have developed a new treatment called RADPLAT, which combines radiation and cisplatin delivered directly to the tumor via tiny catheters. This approach has shown encouraging results in patients with advanced stage IV-T4 disease, with high rates of local and regional tumor control and overall survival.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateMay 16, 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.

Social amoeba sheds light on communication in human brain

A study published in PNAS reveals a short protein, SDF-2, used by Dictyostelium to synchronize spore formation, similar to DBI found in human brains. The discovery confirms the organism's potential as an experimental system for studying cell communication.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2005
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.

The link between physical activity and ovarian cancer

Researchers found a decreased risk of certain types of ovarian tumors with moderate recreational physical activity, but not others. Physical activity also regulates hormone and growth factor levels, reducing ovarian cancer risk by affecting obesity.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateMay 16, 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.

Precise timing enabled pig-to-rat transplants to cure diabetes

Researchers found that transplanting pig pancreatic primordia into diabetic rats at precisely 28 days after fertilization cures their diabetes. Transplantation at this stage made the tissues invisible to the rat's immune system, leading to permanent cure without immune suppression.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalTransplant Immunology·DateMay 16, 2005

Homeland Security Committee among most partisan in the House says math study

A math study examines the degree of partisanship among House committees and finds that the Homeland Security Committee has strong ties to the Rules Committee. The research also reveals the Judiciary Committee as one of the most partisan groups, with weak connections to other committees.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2005

Researchers prevent post-traumatic brain damage

Researchers have found that an experimental drug can effectively prevent much of the brain damage caused by traumatic injury. In a study using rat models, the drug was shown to reduce brain damage and improve cognitive and motor function. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new treatments for human traumatic brain injuries.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 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.

Blocking the Odc gene is effective in preventing cancers

Researchers found that blocking the Odc gene with the drug DFMO prevents cancer development in laboratory models, including lymphoma. The study suggests that a similar approach might prevent or slow cancer development in other types of cancer.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCancer Cell·DateMay 16, 2005

Anti-depressant use linked to increased GI bleeding

A retrospective study found that patients taking SSRIs were at a similar risk of GI bleeding as those taking NSAIDs. The study suggests that physicians should closely monitor for this serious adverse event, especially in patients taking both SSRIs and NSAIDs.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 16, 2005

CT colonography 'excellent' for colorectal cancer screening

A meta-analysis of 35 studies found CT colonography to have a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting polyps and colorectal cancer, making it a promising alternative for screening. The study's findings suggest that CT colonography could increase patient compliance and improve early detection rates.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·DateMay 16, 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.

Deeply held values fuel debate over offshore wind power

Researchers found that public opposition to offshore wind projects is driven by concerns about the ocean's aesthetic value and emotional connection. The study suggests that a better understanding of these values can inform a more effective policy framework for offshore wind development.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalCoastal Management·DateMay 16, 2005

Minority youths self-esteem grows, not shrinks over time

A study published in Journal of Research on Adolescence found that minority youth self-esteem increases with age, driven by family support and positive school climate. Ethnic differences were also observed, highlighting individual variations in adolescent development.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·DateMay 16, 2005
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.

Study finds maternal exposure to parasitic infection may increase risk of schizophrenia in offspring

A study by Columbia University found a potential link between maternal toxoplasmosis gondii infection and an increased risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring, particularly those with high antibody titers. The researchers suggest that inflammation may be the underlying mechanism behind this association.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 16, 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.

The fat connection

Excess body fat accelerates diabetes onset by activating the GPR40 receptor, which causes insulin production to increase. The receptor's excessive activation can lead to beta cell exhaustion and the onset of full-blown diabetes.

SourceAmerican Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 16, 2005