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Science News Archive November 2005


Page 13 of 16

Social learning in noncolonial insects?

Researchers found that wood crickets hide more when others have experienced danger and continue to do so after they are gone. This suggests that social learning is possible in insects without large brains, questioning the assumption that it requires superior cognitive abilities.

Mathematicians predict 2005 Cy Young winners

Researchers Rebecca Sparks and David Abrahamson developed a formula predicting starting pitchers' top three finishes in Cy Young voting. Their analysis found that wins carry significant weight, while ERA and strikeouts have more importance than winning percentage or losses.

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.

Inherent vascular repair key to atherosclerosis

Researchers identify clusters of genes expressed at distinct phases of disease progression, linking chronic disease to body's repair machinery. The findings suggest stimulating or maintaining successful repair processes in heart patients could prevent atherosclerosis development.

Study finds low birth weight rates vary widely across US

Research finds significant regional variations in US low birth weight rates, with some areas having rates up to 3 times higher than others despite controlling for established risk factors like race and socioeconomic status. The study suggests that improvements in social and healthcare systems can lead to better neonatal outcomes.

Success tastes sweet for scientists

Researchers at The University of Manchester and The University of Maryland School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in understanding what makes a substance taste sweet. They found that sugar interacts with two types of taste receptors on the tongue, while some synthetic sweeteners only interact with one receptor. This discovery has ...

Study reveals surprising attitudes about research involving adults with Alzheimer's

A recent study found that 90% of adults with Alzheimer's disease would allow a family member to enroll them in studies with mild to medium risks. Surrogate decision-making for more invasive procedures like gene transfers and brain tissue sampling was also widely accepted, but participants were less willing to participate themselves. Th...

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.

High income earners use more diagnostic imaging

A study of over 300,000 medical procedures in Winnipeg found that high-income individuals were significantly more likely to receive diagnostic imaging services. The differences in access varied by procedure and patient illness level, highlighting the need for social policy interventions to address healthcare disparities.

RNA splicing occurs in nerve-cell dendrites

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that RNA splicing occurs in nerve-cell dendrites, which could relate to memory and learning. The discovery may also help understand cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases.

New study shows link between prolonged bottle-feeding and iron deficiency

A new study reveals a strong association between prolonged bottle-feeding and iron deficiency among Mexican-American infants, affecting up to 17% of this population. The longer children were bottle-fed, the higher their risk of iron deficiency, with 36.8% of Mexican American children still bottle-fed at 24-48 months.

Link between maternal malaria, pregnancy history, and infant risk

Children whose mothers had placental malaria were more likely to get sick with the disease themselves. First-time mothers' infants showed a surprising lower risk of developing malaria, regardless of their mother's infection status. These findings suggest that both previous pregnancies and placental malaria impact infant susceptibility.

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.

MIT closes in on bionic speed

Researchers at MIT have proposed a new theory that could eliminate the obstacle of limited speed and control in artificial muscles. By applying specific light frequencies, engineers can activate devices more quickly without added energy demands or extra weight.

The case for pneumococcal vaccination of infants

Rates of severe infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae have dramatically fallen among children and adults over 65, thanks to pneumococcal vaccination of infants. The vaccine has shown spillover effects, reducing invasive infections among older adults.

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.

Finding the mind's eye

Researchers identified areas of the brain where neuronal activity decreases when objects are made invisible, suggesting a relationship between conscious experience and visual perception. The findings may advance understanding of the brain's interaction with the eye and its importance in medicine, neurology, and psychology.

Avoid the hookah and save your teeth

Research shows that tobacco smoking, including water pipe smoking, increases the risk of periodontal disease by 5-fold and 3.8-fold respectively compared to non-smokers. Water pipe smoking contains similar toxic substances as cigarette smoke, despite filtration.

Chemistry jobs outlook still dim, but salaries rise, C&EN reports

The chemistry job market remains challenging due to rising costs, particularly in the wake of a record-breaking hurricane season that has battered refineries in the Gulf Coast region. Despite this, median starting salaries for chemists have increased, with bachelor's level chemists earning $32,500 and Ph.D. chemists earning $65,000.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Manchester awarded £1.5m to establish transatlantic composites partnership

The University of Manchester will develop new composite technologies and materials in partnership with the University of Washington, focusing on future 'greener' aircraft design and testing safety levels of composite materials. The project aims to unlock the potential of composite materials for the aerospace industry.

Researchers find nine risk indicators for tooth loss

A study of 1,775 patients found that periodontal disease was the leading cause of tooth loss in individuals over 35. The most common medical history findings were diabetes mellitus and hypertension, with men being more likely to experience tooth loss due to periodontal reasons.

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.

Regional disparities in transplantation rates

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased in Canada and worldwide since 1980, with 25,000 Canadians receiving life-sustaining treatment. Despite its benefits, there is a marked regional disparity in transplant rates, highlighting the need for tailored guidelines on eligibility across various criteria.

Common viruses may cause cancer

A recent study at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that certain viral infections may cause cancer by fusing cells, leading to aneuploidy and potentially tumor formation. The researchers discovered that specific gene mutations in human cells can make them more susceptible to this process.

Fewer days of ice on northern New England rivers in recent years

A USGS study found that winter/spring high river flows in northern New England came significantly earlier during the 20th century, with most changes occurring since the 1960s. The total winter days of ice-affected flow decreased by 20 days from 1936 to 2000 for the average of the 9 longest-record rivers.

Major EU grant to develop cancer-fighting cells

The ATTACK project aims to engineer T-cells to target and destroy cancer tumors. By modifying the immune system's natural defense mechanisms, researchers hope to develop a selective treatment method that spares healthy cells.

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.

Study highlights the ramifications of medical misdiagnosis

Researchers found that FOP is misdiagnosed 87% of the time, taking an average of four years to be accurately diagnosed. Inaccurate diagnoses led to painful biopsies and incorrect treatments, often worsening the condition and resulting in permanent loss of mobility.

Unrelated adults in the home associated with child-abuse deaths

Research reveals that households with unrelated adults, particularly male boyfriends, pose a significant risk to young children. The study found that 21% of children who died from inflicted injuries lived in homes with an unrelated adult, compared to 1% of controls.

UCSD physicist proposes new way to rank scientists' output

A new method to rank scientific output has been proposed by a UCSD physicist, using the h-index to estimate a scientist's cumulative research contributions. The h-index is derived from citation counts and provides a single number that can be used to compare relative ranks within a discipline.

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.

Anxiety disorders increase risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts

A recent study found that anxiety disorders more than doubled the risk of suicidal thoughts and tripled the risk of suicide attempts in individuals with mood disorders. The presence of any anxiety disorder in combination with a mood disorder was also associated with a higher likelihood of suicide attempts.

Brainstem blocks pain to protect key behaviors

A study by researchers at the University of Chicago found that activating specific cells in the brain stem allows animals to suppress pain while performing essential tasks. This mechanism, known as

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Is it okay to sign Alzheimer's patients up for research studies?

A study of 229 individuals at heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease found that more than 90% supported allowing family consent for research participation in low- to moderate-risk studies. The majority also accepted higher-risk studies with caution, highlighting the importance of balancing individual concerns with societal needs.

Malaria risk – it's not all in the genes

Researchers found that household-related factors account for a similar level of variation in susceptibility to malaria as host genetic factors. Children living in high-risk households had twice as many infections per year as those in low-risk households.

Markers found for bacterial vaginosis

Researchers have identified three newly recognized bacteria highly specific to bacterial vaginosis, a condition affecting up to 10% of pregnant women. The study aims to understand why lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to experience BV and develop strategies to prevent its recurrence.

Resetting epigenetic code could aid lupus patients

Researchers discovered new histone modifications in mice with a lupus-like condition and found that HDAC inhibitors can reverse them, potentially treating lupus symptoms. The study aims to unravel the mysteries of lupus by exploring epigenetic changes, including histone modifications.

Small-bowel obstruction

Researchers found that patients with partial small-bowel obstruction who received oral therapy had a higher success rate of treatment without surgery (91% vs. 76%) and shorter hospital stays compared to those receiving standard care alone. The study suggests a new management strategy for similar patients, leading to reduced surgical in...

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.

Workers on daily probiotics less likely to take time off sick

A recent study found that daily probiotic supplements reduced sick days among workers. The study, which involved 181 staff members, showed that workers taking L. reuteri probiotics reported significantly fewer sick days compared to those taking a placebo.

Turning sensation into perception

A study by Romo and de Lafuente found that the medial premotor cortex plays a crucial role in sensory perception, particularly in touch. The researchers used macaque monkeys as subjects and found that activity in this region correlated with the intensity of the stimulus, regardless of whether the monkey consciously felt it or not.

Mutations in the BRAF gene predict sensitivity to a novel class of cancer drugs

Researchers found that drugs inhibiting MEK selectively inhibit growth of cancer cells with BRAF and RAS mutations, leading to clinical trials for patients with melanoma, colon, breast, and lung cancers. The study identifies a novel class of targeted therapies, which may be more effective and less toxic than traditional chemotherapies.

New Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers announced

Two new research centers will explore new treatment strategies and biochemical pathways contributing to muscular dystrophy. Clinical trials and laboratory studies will focus on increasing muscle growth, inhibiting enzyme breakdown, and identifying genetic modifiers.

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.

Quantum chaos

Scientists have found experimental evidence of quantum chaos in a system with freely dispersing components. The researchers replicated an historical experiment, demonstrating photoelectric effect and observing Ericson fluctuations.

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.

A sense of place

A new study examines how publicly funded organizations used information and communications technologies to shape regional identities and overcome social, economic, and political problems. The research reveals the widespread adoption of ICTs in 'place-making' projects across Europe.

UCSF surgeon develops new spinal surgery technique

A new spinal surgery technique, developed by UCSF neurosurgeon Christopher Ames, allows for direct access to cervical spinal tumors without neural manipulation. The procedure involves removing and reconstructing portions of the cervical spine to access tumors, providing a minimally invasive option for patients with conditions like neur...

Study broadens understanding of enzymes linked to tumor promoting molecule

Researchers have discovered that sphingosine kinases SphK1 and SphK2 have opposing roles in regulating ceramide biosynthesis, with SphK2 potentially sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy. This finding may lead to the development of more effective chemotherapeutic agents targeting specific sphingosine kinase without affecting others.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

The 'spread of our species'

Researchers suggest that modern human expansion in South Asia was a complex process, with evidence indicating diversity of behavioral responses and competition driving the demise of indigenous archaic hominids. The study challenges the idea of a sudden 'revolution' in modern human behavior 50,000 years ago.