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Science News Archive November 2005


Page 4 of 16

Was Einstein's 'biggest blunder' a stellar success?

A team of researchers discovered that dark energy behaves similarly to Einstein's cosmological constant with a precision of 10%, contradicting several theoretical predictions. The study uses innovative camera technology and observations from multiple telescopes worldwide.

Family stories show immigrants are not all melting in that pot

The study explores how immigrant families tell stories that reflect their country of origin and cultural identity. American-born children of newer immigrants are more likely to maintain ties with their family's country of origin, reflecting a shift towards cultural pluralism in the US.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Plant gene related to cancer treatment may foster new oncology drugs

Researchers from Purdue University and Kyoto University have discovered a plant gene that helps explain why human cells reject chemotherapy drugs. The gene, related to multi-drug resistant proteins in humans, moves a plant growth hormone into cells, suggesting a new approach to reducing drug dosages for cancer patients.

UF scientists say stem cells may trigger bone cancer

Researchers at UF have discovered a population of stem cells with characteristics of adult and embryonic stem cells in cultures derived from bone tumor biopsies. These findings suggest that osteosarcoma, a common bone malignancy in children, may be linked to primitive stem cells.

Increased duration of breastfeeding associated with decreased risk of diabetes

A study of 83,585 and 73,418 women found that longer breastfeeding durations were associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, with risks decreasing by 15% and 14% per additional year of lactation. The findings suggest that maternal lactation may play a role in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes in young and middle-aged women.

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.

Nature: Up to one-third of US in compliance with Kyoto Accords

More than one-third of the US population lives in 'probable' and 'possible' adopter regions that have pledged to reduce emissions. These areas contribute up to half of the US gross domestic product, equivalent to 16.9% of global GDP. However, compliance will be a challenge due to lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Daycare illness guidelines exist, but largely unknown

A study found that 60% of healthcare providers, parents, and childcare workers knew the national guidelines for common childhood ailments only 60% of the time. Temporary exclusions are designed to prevent disease spread, but inconsistent application can lead to contentious issues between parents and caregivers.

Sweat is good indicator heart attack may be coming

A study found that individuals with the shortest delays had a greater probability of experiencing the largest number of symptoms, including sweating, which may prompt them to seek treatment early. Those with longer delays had moderate probability of experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath

Two studies find ways to block the 'freshman 15'

Two studies by Cornell professor David Levitsky found that women who weighed themselves daily using the Tissue Monitoring System (TMS) gained less weight than those in a control group. Additionally, women who received lessons on estimating portion sizes in all-you-can-eat dining halls also showed no significant weight gain.

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.

Genealogy of scaly reptiles rewritten by new research

A comprehensive genetic analysis of snakes, lizards, and other scaly reptiles has revealed surprising relationships among the animals. The study places primitive-looking iguanian lizards at the top of the tree, near advanced lineages like snakes and monitor lizards.

The therapeutic role of melatonin in cancer worthy of study

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis found that melatonin reduced the risk of death at one year by 34%. Melatonin was also shown to have a beneficial effect on sleep patterns in patients. The researchers urge caution in interpreting the clinical usefulness of large doses of melatonin.

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.

Drug may combat weight loss during radiation treatments

Researchers found that megestrol acetate reduced weight loss and improved quality of life in patients with lung cancer and head and neck cancers undergoing radiation treatment. The study showed significant weight gain in the group receiving megestrol acetate compared to those on a placebo.

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.

MRI best tool for studying intricate nerves in dogs

Researchers used MRI to study canine cranial nerves, enabling earlier disease recognition and imaging of nerve nuclei. The study sheds light on the challenges of identifying small nerves using conventional imaging modalities.

HHMI awards $10 million for interdisciplinary graduate education

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is providing $10 million in grants to 12 US universities to develop innovative graduate education programs. The programs aim to produce scientists with knowledge and skills to conduct research at the intersection of biomedical, physical, and computational sciences.

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.

UIC chemists characterize Alzheimer's plaque precursor

Researchers have determined the structure of pre-fibril assemblies, smaller assemblies that may be toxic culprits in Alzheimer's disease. The findings provide a new clue to understanding how these molecules interact and may lead to designing molecules that prevent misfolding proteins.

Magnet lab collaboration yields 'R&D 100' honor

The Florida State University magnet lab has collaborated with Keithley Instruments to develop a more accurate system for measuring extremely small currents and voltages. The new AC and DC Precision Current Source with Nanovoltmeter will help engineers create breakthrough consumer products and medical devices.

Molecular cabal contributes to stroke damage

The study found that ischemia triggers NMDA receptors, which activate CaMKII, enhancing ASIC1a's sensitivity to acid. This increased sensitivity causes calcium overload leading to neuronal death. Drugs inhibiting NMDAR or CaMKII prevented this damage.

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.

Fruit fly research set to revolutionize study of birth defects

Researchers at Queen's University have identified genes affected by methotrexate (MTX), a cancer-fighting drug that causes birth defects in children. The study uses fruit flies as a model system to understand the effects of MTX on mammalian birth defects.

Ohio professor receives national computational science award

Vakalis receives award for his contributions to developing and implementing educational materials for Computational Engineering and Sciences. He aims to make students aware of the beauty and practical use of computational science, highlighting its intersection with mathematics and science.

Mildly depressed people more perceptive than others

Researchers found that people with mildly depressed symptoms are more perceptive of their social environment than those without. They can identify subtle cues, such as eye expressions, to gauge others' emotions and mental states.

The impossible is possible: Laser light from silicon

Brown University researchers have created a directly pumped silicon laser by altering its atomic structure using nanoscale drilling. The achievement opens up new possibilities for the electronics and communications industries, enabling faster and more powerful computers or fiber optic networks.

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.

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Researchers found a link between placental microtransfusions and HIV transmission in mothers, particularly during vaginal delivery. The study suggests that better understanding of microtransfusions could lead to more effective treatments for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Psychologists glimpse biological imprint of childhood neglect

Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that children who experienced early neglect have lower levels of vasopressin, a hormone essential for recognizing familiar individuals. This hormonal imbalance may contribute to difficulties in forming secure relationships later in life.

Grant will fund study of tics and Tourette syndrome

A four-year study will investigate the effectiveness of two behavioral interventions for adults with Tourette syndrome, with a focus on tic severity. The study complements an existing research program that explores similar treatments in children, funded by NIH.

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.

War on terror meets war on cancer

Researchers found that up to 70 percent of the water inside rapidly growing bacterial cells was generated by metabolism. This challenge to prevailing wisdom may lead to new methods for detecting fast-growing cancer cells or studying metabolic changes in obese individuals. The study's findings use stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry ...

Immigrants losing homeownership advantage

Research by University of Alberta's Dr. Michael Haan found that immigrants' housing rates dropped in the last few years, while those born in the country increased their homeownership rates. The decline may be linked to diminished labour market fortunes, discrimination, and decreasing median wealth among immigrant groups.

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.

High-sugar diet pushing some Latino kids toward type 2 diabetes

A USC study reveals that high sugar intake during childhood may play a key role in the development of diabetes in Latino children. The research found that children who consumed more sugary drinks had signs of decreased beta cell function, implying they were heading toward type 2 diabetes.

Endorectal coil improves prostate cancer detection

A study of 24 patients found that MRI with an endorectal coil at 1.5T outperforms conventional body coils in staging prostate cancer. The results suggest a need for advances in coil technology to improve imaging at higher field strengths.

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.

New clues to the dark side of a key anti-tumor guardian

Researchers discovered that disrupting p53 activity in neurons extends lifespan and increases stress resistance in adult fruit flies. The study suggests that targeting p53 activity in different cell types may offer a way to prevent tumors while preserving healthy aging.

Medicine by media

A critical television documentary about a commonly prescribed birth control pill, Diane-35, led to a significant drop in its use. The study found that over 45% of women who received the medication had no recorded history of acne.

'Curing' depression?

A randomized controlled trial has validated a brief version of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-7) for measuring depression severity in primary care settings. The findings suggest that this shorter scale is accurate and can be used by physicians in clinical practice.

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.

Removing egg from nest may help save endangered whooping crane

Research by Dr. Mark Boyce found that removing one egg from a whooping crane nest increases the probability of nest success, leading to an increase in population numbers and establishment of new populations. The program has been successful in enhancing the conservation of the species, with over 200 birds currently thriving.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Body position affects sleep apnea among young children

A retrospective chart review of 60 children aged three and younger found that supine sleep increases respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) episodes. The study highlights the importance of considering body position in diagnosing and managing sleep disorders in pediatric patients.