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Science News Archive October 2005


Page 1 of 16

Gas-blockers might slow down Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have found that mice lacking iNOS live twice as long and develop fewer brain lesions than those with iNOS. This could lead to a new treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease, which currently only temporarily improves cognitive function.

Scientists gain new insights into 'frozen' methane beneath ocean floor

The IODP Expedition 311 has discovered gas hydrate deposits with higher concentrations found in coarse-grained sand layers throughout core samples. The findings will fundamentally change how scientists investigate the impact of gas hydrate deposits, revealing a more complex occurrence than previously predicted.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Combination therapy for mouse model of human inherited blindness

Researchers have successfully tested combining two treatments to restore retinal function in a mouse model of human inherited blindness. The combination of oral retinoids and gene therapy offers effective means for treating this devastating disease, with potential applications for wider age ranges of patients.

Could plain soap and probiotics beat hospital bugs?

Researchers propose using probiotics to saturate skin with 'good' bacteria, preventing pathogenic bacteria from settling. This approach could potentially reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant MRSA in hospitals.

New clues into causes of scleroderma

Researchers discovered that paclitaxel can suppress TGF-beta activity and reduce fibrotic tissue formation in scleroderma. The study also found enhanced angiogenesis in scleroderma skin samples, suggesting a potential treatment pathway.

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.

CHEST 2005 abstract highlights

The study found that the size of a patient's lung mass correlates with brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer. School sports significantly decrease smoking rates among students. Researchers discovered a new method to diagnose and treat sleep apnea without overnight polysomnography, but noted a higher use of sedatives in non-obe...

California's oak woodlands face a new threat: Climate change

Climate change is expected to shift the suitable ranges of blue oak and valley oak in California, with potential habitats shrinking by nearly half, posing a challenge for conservation planning. The study highlights the importance of regional climate models for accurately predicting species' responses to climate change.

Yale cell biologist, Ira Mellman, one of three Americans honored by EMBO

Ira Mellman, a leading expert in cell biology, has been elected an Associate Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) for his groundbreaking research on immune responses and cell polarity. This recognition is a testament to his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and collaboration.

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.

UW scientists report a new method to speed bird flu vaccine production

A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Tokyo report a new way to generate genetically altered influenza virus. This technique improves upon a previous reverse genetics method by significantly reducing the number of plasmid vectors required, increasing the efficiency of virus production.

An existing diuretic may suppress seizures in newborns

Researchers found that a diuretic called bumetanide can inhibit seizure activity in newborns by lowering chloride levels and making nerve cells responsive to GABA activation. This is promising news for the treatment of seizures in newborns, as conventional anticonvulsants are ineffective due to differences in brain chemistry.

Scientists funded to investigate stress in farm animals

A £2.6m project will examine early life events affecting farm animal stress and quality of life. The research aims to create standards for risk periods and understand the interaction between genetics and environment to optimize animal health and welfare.

Reagent under study as cancer vaccine may also help protect tumors

Researchers found that a cancer vaccine candidate, CpG-ODNs, triggers an alarm response in the immune system but also activates a mechanism that can help tumors hide from the immune system. This raises questions about the potential benefits and risks of this approach in cancer treatment.

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.

Mice have a gift for song

Researchers discovered that male mice produce ultrasonic calls with complex passages, syllable types, and regular time signatures, meeting the definition of song. The findings suggest that mouse song may approach that of many songbirds, opening new avenues for research into the genetic contributions to song and learning.

Physicists offer new approach to studying antimatter

Researchers at UCR create stable positronium molecules by combining positrons with electrons, paving the way for studying antimatter properties. This breakthrough uses a magnetic bottle to prolong positron life and accumulate millions of atoms, enabling collisions that produce gamma radiation.

Restless legs syndrome linked to psychiatric conditions

A recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that 9.7% of US adults experience restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition more prevalent in those with depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric illnesses. Adults at risk for RLS are also more likely to experience sleep apnea, insomnia, and daytime fatigue.

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.

Lightning research sparks new discovery

Researchers have found that high-voltage sparks can produce x-ray bursts, similar to those observed during lightning. This discovery opens the door for studying the poorly understood phenomenon of runaway breakdown in a lab setting.

New studies examine the evidence on probiotics in IBS

A novel probiotic strain, B. infantis 35625, shows promise in normalizing bowel movement frequency in IBS patients. Researchers found modest improvement in bloating symptoms, but emphasize the need for larger trials to verify findings.

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.

Mathematicians get a handle on centuries old shape

A team of mathematicians from Rice, Stanford, and Indiana universities has provided the first proof since Jean Meusnier's study of soap films in 1785. The new shape, called genus one helicoid, is an infinitely twisted version of a fundamental simple shape with balanced properties.

Genetic prediction of Type 2 diabetes

Scientists have identified genetic variants in PPARG and CAPN10 genes that increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, particularly in individuals with other risk factors. A large-scale study found that these variants can predict diabetes in high-risk individuals from families with T2D.

Monkey math machinery is like humans'

Researchers found that monkeys demonstrate a significant semantic congruity effect when making numerical comparisons, similar to humans. The study used colored cues to instruct monkeys to choose larger or smaller numbers, showing high accuracy and speed in the task.

Mirrors can trick the brain into recovering from persistent pain, research suggests

Researchers discovered that using mirrors to create a mirror reflection of a normal limb can help correct a faulty image of the body in people with complex regional pain syndrome. This imbalance can cause pain when moving a particular hand, foot or limb. By practicing these exercises beforehand, even greater improvements can be achieved.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Zebrafish and CHIP help untangle protein misfolding in brain disease

A study published by University of Iowa researchers has identified the CHIP protein as a crucial component in managing neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and Alzheimer's. By suppressing misfolded proteins, CHIP may provide a promising route to therapy for these devastating brain disorders.

Out of sight, out of mind? Not necessarily

A study published in PNAS found that even when the primary visual cortex is temporarily shut down, the brain can still process visual information unconsciously. Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to induce temporary blindness in nine volunteers with normal vision.

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.

Bees solve complex colour puzzles

A new UCL study reveals that bees can recognize flowers under different global lights by segmenting scenes into regions of illumination and finding the correct flowers within each region. This strategy suggests that bees use color relationships between objects in a scene to resolve stimulus ambiguity, a challenge also faced by humans.

Study findings offer potential new targets for antibiotics

Researchers have discovered additional sites on ribosomes that could be targeted by antibiotics to combat bacterial resistance. The study provides new potential targets for pharmaceutical companies to create novel antibiotics, keeping pace with the evolving threat of antibiotic resistance.

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.

Vaginal gel may provide a new approach to HIV prevention

A recent study by Tulane University has shown that vaginal gels containing microbicides can effectively prevent HIV transmission in monkeys. The researchers tested three compounds, which were found to be effective when used alone or in combination, with minimal side effects.

ECCO 13 - One voice, one vision needed to overcome cancer in Europe

Key decision-making tools were highlighted to improve patient outcomes, while patients and healthcare professionals stressed the importance of timely access to quality screening, diagnostic tests, and treatment. Experts emphasize the need for a unified voice to address systemic inequalities in cancer care across Europe.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Nov. 1, 2005

A study of 11,481 childhood cancer survivors found that 20% had physical performance limitations compared to 12% of their siblings. Rehabilitation programs improved survival rates after heart attacks by reducing subsequent heart attacks by 17%.

Every squeak you make

Researchers find mouse songs have syllabic diversity and temporal regularity, similar to birdsong, but with less complexity. The study adds mice to the list of creatures that sing during courtship, paving the way for future investigation into mouse vocalizations in wild populations.

Cheek cells used to identify lung cancer

Researchers have developed a method using cheek cells to detect lung cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. The test uses Automated Quantitative Cytometry (AQC) to analyze buccal cell nuclei and predict the likelihood of cancer presence.

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.

Web Forum launched for schizophrenia researchers

The Schizophrenia Research Forum is a new online platform that aims to accelerate discovery by connecting researchers, experts, and clinicians. The site features interactive forums, live chats with leading scientists, and a searchable database of schizophrenia-related papers.

Scientists determine how tumor gene controls growth

Researchers at Emory University have discovered that the Tsg101 gene controls cell growth through a non-cell-autonomous mechanism, causing normal cells to overgrow and form tumor-like growths. The study also suggests that some human cancers might be composed of a mixture of normal cells and mutated cells with Tsg101 mutations.

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.

Study uses stream fish as indicators of water quality

Researchers at Virginia Tech are using stream fish to assess water quality, finding that different species respond to pollution in unique ways. This study aims to improve the accuracy of water quality assessments by incorporating fish movement patterns and diversity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Metal-containing compounds show promise as HIV weapon

Researchers from UT Southwestern and international partners discovered metal-containing compounds that inhibit HIV protease with low concentrations and stability. These compounds may be effective against resistant strains of the virus.