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Science News Archive November 2005


Page 1 of 16

Artificial replication

The researchers created an artificial mammalian replication origin that can specify a DNA replication origin and enable scientists to explore the mechanism of replication initiation. This discovery will provide a new direction for creating vectors for gene therapy that are less mutagenic than current integrating vectors.

Nanotech discovery could have radical implications

Researchers at Princeton University propose a new mathematical approach to produce desired configurations of nanoparticles by manipulating their interactions. This method could lead to radical implications in industries like telecommunications, computers, and aerospace engineering, as well as our understanding of life.

Engineers discover why toucan beaks are models of lightweight strength

Researchers discovered that toucan beaks are made of a bio-composite consisting of keratin tiles glued to a rigid foam-like interior, providing exceptional lightweight strength. The study's findings could lead to the development of ultra-light aircraft and vehicle components with improved impact-absorption systems.

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.

Young women who smoke higher risk of breask cancer

Women who started smoking before their first pregnancy have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer compared to nonsmokers. The study also found no link between smoking duration or number of cigarettes smoked per day and breast cancer risk among smokers.

Imaging shows similarities in brains of marijuana smokers, schizophrenics

Researchers found that repeated exposure to marijuana was related to abnormalities in the development of the arcuate fasciculus, a bundle of fibers connecting language and auditory functions. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these changes in the brain are permanent or change over time.

Study reveals severity of go-cart injuries

A recent study found go-cart injuries among children to be severe and often preventable, highlighting the importance of adult supervision and strict safety regulations. The researchers analyzed medical records from 160 hospitalized children aged 16 and under, resulting in 18 confirmed go-cart injuries with average age 10.3 years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Interactive 3-D atlas of mouse brain now available on web

The interactive 3D atlas provides highly accurate anatomical templates for researchers to map metabolically active brain regions and genetic expressions. The database contains 20 segmented structures from 10 adult male mice, including variability across the strain.

Genetic key to growth of new arteries is identified

A team led by Dr. Rajabrata Sarkar identified the MMP2 gene as essential for growing new arteries when existing arteries are blocked. In mice, the specific DNA sequences of the MMP2 gene that are expressed during artery growth were also discovered, shedding light on the normal process of angiogenesis.

Alleged 40,000-year-old human footprints in Mexico much, much older than thought

A team of geologists and anthropologists reevaluated the alleged 40,000-year-old human footprints in Mexico, determining a new age of around 1.3 million years using argon/argon dating technique. This revised date challenges the accepted theory that humans arrived in the Americas at 11,000 years ago, sparking debate among researchers.

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.

New peptide antibiotic isolated from American oyster

Researchers have isolated a new antimicrobial peptide from the American oyster, which may help protect against bacterial pathogens causing food-borne illnesses. The discovery could aid in developing tests to monitor oyster health and improve disease-resistant oyster populations.

New kidney disease drug saves lives at low cost

Sevelamer, a new kidney disease drug, has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk by 12% in patients with chronic kidney disease, offsetting higher costs. The study found that the cost savings from avoiding cardiovascular events outweighed the increased cost of sevelamer, making it a favorable treatment option.

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.

Texas A&M anthropologist studies ancient human footprints

Researchers at Texas A&M University and the Berkeley Geochronology Center date ancient rocks containing 'footprints' to 1.3 million years old, suggesting an earlier human migration than previously believed. The findings contradict claims of 40,000-year-old footprints in England.

Bird song changes sound alarm over habitat fragmentation

Researchers found that in fragmented habitats, Dupont's larks share songs more with neighbors than non-neighbors, suggesting a lack of interaction due to habitat barriers. This change may serve as an early warning system detecting the effects of fragmentation on bird populations.

Coffee jump-starts short-term memory

Researchers found that caffeine consumption improved short-term memory skills and reaction times in a working memory task. Caffeine showed increased activity in brain regions responsible for attention and working memory, leading to enhanced cognitive performance.

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.

Mars Express evidence for large aquifers on early Mars

Data from Mars Express confirms the presence of hydrated minerals, implying long-term liquid water on Mars during the Noachian era. Phyllosilicates and sulphates were detected in various regions, suggesting two distinct climatic episodes: a moist environment for phyllosilicates and an acid environment for sulphates.

Buried craters and underground ice

The MARSIS radar has provided direct information about Mars' deep subsurface, revealing buried impact craters and hints of underground water-ice. The radar's measurements have changed our perception of the Red Planet, adding a new dimension to its knowledge.

Noninvasive ultrasound treatment shrinks fibroids

Researchers developed a noninvasive ultrasound treatment that immediately stops blood flow in fibroid tissue, leading to significant symptom relief for up to 12 months. The optimized protocol allows for treatment of larger fibroid volumes, resulting in greater symptomatic relief and quality of life improvement.

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.

Optical vortex could look directly at extrasolar planets

Researchers create an optical vortex mask that eliminates starlight, allowing for direct observation of nearby planets. The device successfully images Saturn and its rings, paving the way for future exoplanet detection projects like the Terrestrial Planet Finder.

Hormone aldosterone is promising target for stroke treatment

Research suggests that aldosterone, a hormone involved in blood pressure regulation, may also contribute to strokes. Aldosterone blockers have shown promise in animal models, reversing wall-thickening effects on blood vessels. However, gender differences and optimal treatment strategies remain unclear.

Penn researchers warn against potential flaws in wiretapping technology

Penn researchers have identified vulnerabilities in loop extender taps and CALEA tapping technologies, which can be exploited to counterwiretap signals. They recommend that law enforcement agencies and telecommunications companies take measures to secure their equipment and prevent signaling countermeasures.

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.

Purdue 'metamaterial' could lead to better optics, communications

Scientists at Purdue University have created a material with a negative refractive index, a milestone that could lead to better communications and imaging technologies. The discovery uses tiny parallel nanorods of gold to conduct clouds of electrons, allowing for more efficient light transmission.

Scientists develop protein-sequence analysis tool

A new computer program called CPDL identifies candidate amino acid sites that control protein functions by comparing groups of related proteins. The tool flags positions where two related groups differ in terms of amino acid identity or properties like charge or polarity, suggesting these sites are biologically important for defining s...

Scientific community can help protect sex workers

Evidence-based research and innovative initiatives can safeguard sex workers' lives. Peer education, condom-negotiating skills training, and occupational health guidelines are proven interventions that can benefit sex workers.

Skimmed milk reduces the risk of hypertension by 50 percent

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming skimmed milk products can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension by 50%. The research, which followed 6,000 people over two years, revealed no association between whole milk consumption and hypertension risk. These findings contribute to ...

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.

Rate of paid-for sex with women has doubled in 10 years

A study of British adults found the rate of paid-for sex with women has more than doubled between 1990 and 2000. Men who paid for sex were more likely to be younger, single, and from London, and had had multiple sexual partners

NIST physicists coax six atoms into quantum 'cat' state

Researchers at NIST successfully entangle six ions to exhibit superposition of spin states, extending the domain of Schrödinger cat states. The achievement has implications for quantum computing, encryption, and precision instruments.

Large-scale study proves volunteer operated defibrillators are life-savers

A large-scale study has found that trained volunteers and laypeople can safely use defibrillators to save the lives of cardiac arrest victims. The study showed a significant increase in survival rates for patients in urban areas, with potential to save up to 15 out of 100 lives within an 8-minute response time.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Scientists pool information to boost understanding of drug action

The IUPHAR database provides comprehensive information on GPCRs, including drugs that act on them, target locations in the body, and diseases they may be involved in. This knowledge is freely available to all scientists and drug discoverers worldwide, offering a powerful tool for future research.

Radiologists tackle diagnosis of puzzling football injuries

A study of 101 MRI knee exams found a remarkable high incidence of lateral meniscal tears among elite football players, which may be related to the physical demands of tackling. The research also identified an indirect sign of syndesmotic tear, also known as high ankle sprain, using MRI and x-rays.

Research findings contradict longstanding bias against morphine

A new study challenges traditional beliefs about morphine's impact on breathing difficulties in dying patients. Contrary to the long-held notion that morphine hinders breathing, researchers found that controlled doses of morphine can actually prolong life by slowing down breathing and reducing panic. This shift in understanding is bein...

Diagnostic images show go-carts cause serious injuries to children

A study of 18 children who suffered injuries from private-use go-carts found that head injuries were the most common, with 22% of cases requiring surgery. The primary cause of these injuries was loss of control leading to collisions or ejection, highlighting the need for adult supervision and safety equipment.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

The yeast glycome

Researchers created a protein chip containing 5573 purified proteins and performed the first global analysis of protein glycosylation in yeast. This effort identified nearly double the known yeast glycome, including over 100 new N-linked glycoproteins.

p53 and organogenesis

Analysis found that increased p53 delta113 expression in def-mutant digestive organs leads to cell cycle arrest, reducing organ growth. The p53 isoform's role in hypoplasia of the digestive organs is believed to be significant but not fully understood.

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.

Police data unreliable source for identifying trends in violent crime

Contrary to police reports, which attribute rising crime rates to increased surveillance and policing efforts, research shows a significant decrease in violent crime episodes in the US and a 36% fall in British violent crime since 1995. Hospital emergency data support these findings, revealing a decline in non-self-inflicted injuries.

Young children getting fewer hours of sleep

A recent study published in the journal Sleep found that preschool-aged children are getting significantly less sleep than the recommended amount, with only 8.7 hours of sleep per night and less than 9.5 hours including naps. The research suggests that this may have serious implications for their physical and cognitive development.

Dialysis patients may be overmedicated due to unreliable blood test

The shift in commonly used PTH assay has led to inconsistent results, potentially causing increased parathyroidectomy rates, unnecessary medication use, and adynamic bone disease among dialysis patients. Researchers have developed a more specific assay for PTH to address these concerns.

Joslin Diabetes Center study shows benefits of online discussion boards

The Joslin Diabetes Center study found that online discussion boards provide a less threatening way to discuss sensitive concerns about diabetes. The study, which tracked over 330,000 visits to the discussion boards, found that nearly 75% of respondents rated participation as having a positive effect on coping with diabetes.

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.

New antibody shows promise as cure for anthrax

A new high-affinity antibody successfully eliminated anthrax bacteria and its deadly toxins in animal tests, offering a promising treatment for late-stage anthrax infection. The antibody produced in bacterial cells could lead to a simpler and cheaper way to treat anthrax, providing an effective treatment that doesn't require antibiotics.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

MR-guided laser effective in treating liver tumors

In a largest study of its type, researchers treated 2,506 liver tumors and found that MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) improves average survival rate from diagnosis by 3.8 years, outperforming traditional surgery. Laser treatment offers several advantages, including outpatient basis under local anesthesia.

Emergency bypass surgery on angioplasty patients drops 90 percent

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found a significant decline in emergency bypass surgeries performed after angioplasty procedures. The rate dropped from nearly 3% to 0.3% over two decades, with factors such as stent technology and improved drug therapy contributing to the reduction.

Researchers use brain scans to predict behavior

Researchers used brain scans to predict volunteer performance in a motion discrimination task. They found that brain signals related to spatial attention predicted performance, suggesting the brain uses internal signals to influence perception.

Center calls for stronger federal regulation of genetic testing

The Genetics & Public Policy Center urges the government to issue proposed regulations for a genetic testing specialty, citing concerns over the lack of oversight in the industry. The center argues that a genetic testing specialty is achievable with key quality requirements such as analytic and clinical validity.

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.