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Science News Archive November 2005 - Page 3


Page 3 of 16

Oil mist reduces airborne hazards in concentrated swine feeding operation

A new study finds that oil mist technology can reduce airborne hazards in concentrated swine feeding operations, improving indoor air quality and controlling emissions. The innovation provides a tool for animal producers to comply with regulations and mitigate public health risks associated with confined animal farming.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 28, 2005

Feeling fat in the festive season? It's all in your mind

A new study published in PLoS Biology used the Pinocchio illusion to scan people's brains while experiencing a shrinking waist sensation. The researchers found high activity in the posterior parietal cortex, which integrates sensory information from different body parts, leading to distorted body image perception.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 28, 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.

NSF funds probe of the quintessence of surprise

Researchers will investigate how brains perceive novelty and importance using a computational theory of surprise. The project combines experiments, modeling, and neurophysiological studies to develop a new understanding of how the brain codes for these concepts.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateNov 28, 2005

The unfolding of amyloid's true colors

The study reveals that Pme117, a glycoprotein involved in melanosomes, rapidly folds into functional amyloid fibers that enhance melanin production. This discovery suggests that amyloid formation may serve a physiological role in cells, contradicting current views on pathogenic amyloids.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 28, 2005

Biotechnology's newest chemical tool

Scientists have developed a method to add larger chemical groups to DNA using enzymes that recognize specific sequences. This technique allows for the manipulation of DNA function and has potential applications in labeling biomolecules such as RNA and proteins.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 28, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

DNA barcodes put to the test

A new study revisits DNA barcoding for species identification and discovery, finding it performs well in highly characterized groups but error-prone for novel species. A comprehensive database of over 2,000 cowrie COI sequences reveals the need for refinement and collaboration with taxonomists.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 28, 2005

Researcher solve one mystery of high-temperature superconductors

Scientists have confirmed a long-standing mystery in high-temperature superconductors: lightly doped Mott insulators remain insulators. Strong electron interaction is the key to understanding this phenomenon. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 28, 2005

Tropical dry forests receive international recognition

The Tropical Dry Forest Research Network (TROPI-DRY) aims to translate research into policies to save these ecosystems. With over $175 million in environmental services fees paid by Costa Rica since the late 1990s, private conservation offers a promising solution.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·DateNov 28, 2005

Squinting while staring at a computer monitor can cause painful dry eye

A recent study found that even slight squinting while staring at a computer monitor can lead to reduced blinking rates, resulting in dry eye symptoms. Researchers used tiny electrodes to measure muscle activity, revealing a significant decrease in blink rate from 15 blinks per minute to just 4 blinks per minute when participants squinted.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateNov 28, 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.

HIV inserts into human genome using a DNA-associated protein

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a human DNA-associated protein called LEDGF that controls where HIV integrates into human chromosomes. This finding has significant implications for improving the design of gene-therapy delivery systems.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 27, 2005

Ethics in a pandemic

A 15-point ethical guide recommends prioritizing health workers' duty to care, restricting liberty through quarantine measures, and allocating scarce resources such as medicines. The guide also emphasizes the need for transparent decision-making and support for those affected by quarantine.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics·DateNov 27, 2005

Nutrient pollution causes a long-term effect on Chesapeake Bay ecosystem

The study reveals that nutrient enrichment has reduced sea grass beds and lowered dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Chesapeake Bay. Revitalizing habitats such as sea grass beds, oyster reefs, and tidal marshes may lead to substantial benefits toward recovery from nutrient enrichment.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateNov 27, 2005

New ice cores expand view of climate history

Researchers have expanded the view of climate history by analyzing new ice cores that provide a record of atmospheric conditions up to 650,000 years. The study suggests that current conditions are a distinct anomaly and may be linked to human influence on greenhouse gases.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 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.

Zinc supplements safe for HIV-infected children

Researchers found that zinc supplementation is safe and effective in reducing the frequency of watery diarrhea in HIV-infected children. The study showed no increase in plasma HIV-1 viral load measurements, supporting the use of zinc as an adjunct therapy for children with HIV infection.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 24, 2005

Children with HIV-infection benefit from zinc supplements

A study by William Moss and colleagues found that zinc supplementation did not increase blood HIV viral load but reduced diarrhoea in children with HIV-infection. The authors suggest using zinc as an adjunct therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality in resource-poor countries.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 24, 2005

Total lymphocyte count can predict HIV progression in children

A study of over 3,900 children with HIV found that total lymphocyte count can predict disease progression as well as CD4 cell percentage. The current WHO guidelines for starting ART are inconsistent and may lead to inadequate treatment in low-income countries.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 24, 2005

Potential malaria drug target identified

A team of researchers has discovered a parasite enzyme, PfSUB2, that sheds sticky surface proteins, allowing the parasite to invade red blood cells. The discovery could lead to the development of new antimalarial drugs that target this enzyme.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 24, 2005

New evidence extends greenhouse gas record from ice cores by 50 percent, adding 210,000 years

The new ice core analysis provides insights into Antarctic climate and greenhouse gas concentrations during the most recent warm period, known as Marine Isotope Stage 11. This analog warm period occurred between 420,000 and 400,000 years ago and shares similarities with our current warm period due to similar Earth-Sun configurations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 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.

Prisoners should have access to proven HIV prevention methods

A recent study highlights the urgent need for consistent HIV prevention methods in prisons, despite international guidelines recommending similar healthcare standards. Experts argue that mass incarceration of non-violent drug-offenders needs review and should prioritize public health over punitive policies.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 24, 2005

Global warming doubles rate of ocean rise

A Rutgers-led team reports a steady millimeter-per-year rise in sea levels from 5,000 years ago until about 200 years ago, contrasting with the current two-millimeter annual increase. The findings argue against widely held tenets of geological science and provide a new baseline for addressing global warming.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2005

Engineers create super compressible foam-like films

Researchers at the University of Florida and two other universities have created a new type of foam-like film made from carbon nanotubes, which can be compressed to 15% of its original size. The films show promise for use in solid lubricating coatings for air and space applications.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2005

The earliest animals had human-like genes

A study on the Platynereis genome reveals that early animals had complex human-like genes, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on human evolution and highlights the importance of preserving ancient genetic features.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2005

Electrons 'tunnel' through water molecules between nestled proteins

Researchers discovered that a small cluster of water molecules can facilitate electron transfer between proteins, contrary to expectations. At intermediate distances, the water molecules play a crucial role in mediating electron tunneling, making it stronger than previously thought.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 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.

Regenerating worms help elucidate stem cell biology

Scientists study flatworms to understand how adult stem cells regenerate tissues, finding key genes involved in the process. Researchers discovered that a specific gene, piwi, plays a crucial role in producing daughter cells capable of restoring damaged tissues.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2005

Grabbing addiction by the tail

A new targeted drug has been developed to prevent long-term changes in brain cells that contribute to addiction. The peptide works by tricking cellular machinery into pulling the glutamate receptor back onto the surface, restoring normal communication between neurons.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2005

Silenced gene in worm shows role in regeneration

Researchers discover smedwi-2 plays critical role in regulating daughter cell differentiation for tissue maintenance. Silencing this gene leads to animal death, despite intact stem cells, highlighting early specification of progeny

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2005

MUHC ensures blood without bugs

The new blood safety test is capable of detecting major parasitic diseases, including malaria and fasciola, with instant results. Developed by the Montreal Neurological Institute (NRCP) at McGill University, the test has the potential to save countless lives by reducing the risk of parasite transmission through blood transfusions.

SourceMcGill University·DateNov 24, 2005

Nanotube foams flex and rebound with super compressibility

Carbon nanotubes have been found to act like super-compressible springs, flexing and rebounding under compression. The new nanotube foams maintain their resilience even after thousands of compression cycles, offering a unique combination of strength and flexibility.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 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.

Discovery disproves simple concept of memory as 'storage space'

Researchers find that people with high visual working memory capacity excel at dismissing irrelevant information, while those with low capacity hold all items in mind. This discovery challenges the popular concept of memory capacity being solely dependent on storage space.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature·DateNov 23, 2005

Clinical trial supports better treatment for lupus nephritis

A nationwide randomized clinical trial found that mycophenolate mofetil produced fewer complications than the standard medication Cytoxan in patients with lupus nephritis. The study showed that oral mycophenolate mofetil worked faster in relieving inflamed kidneys and improved patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 23, 2005

Einstein's dark energy accelerates the universe

Researchers confirm that Einstein's cosmological constant behaves like dark energy, driving the acceleration of the universe. The study uses innovative imaging data from the Supernova Legacy Survey, which reveals a precision of 10% and challenges theoretical ideas about dark energy.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateNov 23, 2005
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.

Brandeis biologist wins top award in neuroscience

Marder's research on central pattern generators has led to breakthroughs in understanding neural circuit stability and its implications for diseases like mental illness, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Her work with crustaceans has expanded the field of neuroscience beyond mammals.

SourceBrandeis University·DateNov 23, 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.

Inside a quantum dot: Tracking electrons at trillionths of a second

Scientists have created a machine that can track the passage of an electron in a nanostructure at a time scale of ten picoseconds and a spatial resolution of 50 nanometers. This innovation will improve our understanding of nanoscale dynamics and enable the study of previously intractable materials.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateNov 23, 2005

American Academy of Neurology elaborates expert witness guidelines

The American Academy of Neurology has updated its expert witness guidelines to promote competent, truthful, and evidence-based testimony. Physicians should be fully trained in their specialty or subject matter and conduct their testimony accurately and impartially.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateNov 23, 2005

Deleted genes help predict outcome in a children's cancer

Researchers analyzed tumor samples from 915 children with neuroblastoma and identified genetic clues that can guide customized treatment. The study found strong links between loss of genetic material on chromosome bands 1p36 and 11q23, and worse outcomes for patients.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 23, 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.

Give thanks for the cranberry, say dental researchers

Dental researchers discovered that cranberry juice acts like Teflon for teeth, preventing bacteria from clinging to surfaces. Cranberry juice also disrupts the formation of plaque by inhibiting enzymes that build dental plaque.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCaries Research·DateNov 23, 2005

Statement from Sandra Raymond, President and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that CellCept, a potential treatment for lupus nephritis, holds promise for improving quality of life for those affected by severe kidney disease. The results offer hope for patients who currently suffer debilitating side effects from traditional treatments.

SourceKetchum UK·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 23, 2005

Stanford study of sea squirt provides clue to human immune system

A Stanford study reveals that the sea squirt Botryllus schlosseri uses a gene similar to the human immune system to distinguish between self and non-self. This finding may lead to new ways to control natural killer cells and treat diseases like leukemia and multiple sclerosis.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateNov 23, 2005

Avian flu in perspective: New England Journal article reviews 'spectacular' findings

Recent research findings on avian flu provide critical insight into the origin of pandemic influenza, highlighting two possible mechanisms: direct transmission from birds to humans or reassortment with human strains. This knowledge can help scientists track virus adaptation and inform global surveillance efforts and vaccine development.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 23, 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.

Major study links chronic noise exposure to risk of heart attacks

A major study by the European Society of Cardiology links chronic noise exposure to an increased risk of heart attacks, particularly in men and women under 70. The study found that general environmental noise increased risk by nearly 50% for men and three-fold for women, while workplace noise levels affected men's risk but not women's.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateNov 23, 2005

Family habits set drinking path

Researchers found that teenage children of mothers who drank one or more drinks a day had a twofold risk of problem drinking in young adulthood. Maternal depression and early teenage behavior increased the risk of alcohol disorders in young adults.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateNov 23, 2005

Normal chromosome ends elicit a limited DNA damage response

Researchers found that chromosome ends elicit a limited DNA damage response when exposed, but not during normal replication. This discovery highlights the importance of telomeres in preserving genome integrity and preventing cancer development.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 23, 2005
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.

JCI table of contents: November 23 2005

Researchers discovered cross-reactive T cells in patients with infectious mononucleosis, which stimulated excessive lymphocyte proliferation. Meanwhile, selectively killing regulatory T cells improved the efficacy of cancer vaccines by enhancing tumor-specific T cell responses.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 23, 2005

Student scientists create living bacterial photographs

Students created living bacterial photographs by projecting light onto genetically engineered E. coli bacteria, which produced pigments based on light exposure. This innovative technology has potential applications in fields such as medical treatments and tissue engineering.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature·DateNov 23, 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.

Heavy drinking declines with age, though drop is slower among men and smokers

A recent study found that heavy drinking declined with age, although the drop was slower among men and smokers compared to women and non-smokers. The study also revealed that those who got married or quit smoking during follow-ups reduced their heavy drinking. Regular moderate drinking is likely beneficial for cardiovascular health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAddiction·DateNov 22, 2005

Mental stress may be another culprit in raising cholesterol levels in healthy adults

A study published in Health Psychology found that individuals who experience larger increases in cholesterol levels due to stress are more likely to have high 'bad' cholesterol later on. The researchers identified a significant association between acute lipid stress responses and fasting lipid levels three years later.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateNov 22, 2005

Genetic research remains hidden

A study found significant differences in genetic effects between Chinese and non-Chinese studies on gene-disease associations. The researchers identified 161 Chinese studies on 12 topics, but only 20 were indexed in PubMed. This bias may lead to skewed evidence depending on language and publication sources.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 22, 2005