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Science News Archive October 2005


Page 11 of 16

Alzheimer's & Dementia marks first issue

The inaugural issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia focuses on the link between a high-folate diet and lower Alzheimer's disease risk, with studies showing a 55% reduction in risk for older adults. The journal will publish quarterly, offering valuable resources for professionals in the field.

Gene makes muscles in the obese store more fat

A study by Duke University Medical Center discovered a gene that is more active in obese individuals, causing skeletal muscle tissue and cells to store excess fat. Exercise can potentially change this gene's activity, improving energy balance and enhancing fat burning.

Geoscientists follow arsenic from chicken feed to streambeds

Researchers from Virginia Tech studied the fate of arsenic fed to poultry and found that organic arsenic is biotransformed to inorganic arsenic, which can be toxic. However, surprisingly, low concentrations of arsenic are transported to streambeds instead of being retained by aquifers.

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.

Erectile dysfunction may signal early atherosclerosis

Research reveals that erectile dysfunction is associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein and abnormal blood vessel responses. Men with ED are at increased risk for coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Total cholesterol level among US adults continues to decline

The age-adjusted average total and LDL cholesterol levels among US adults decreased between 1988-1994 and 1999-2002, with significant declines observed in older adults. Increased use of cholesterol-lowering medication is believed to be a contributing factor to this trend.

Geologists use biotools to understand geosystems

Researchers study bacteria's sticking efficiencies on minerals using atomic force microscopes, revealing the impact of pH levels on stickiness. The findings have implications for understanding toxin mobility in geosystems.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study into public views on diet and health research published

A new study investigated public attitudes towards funding priorities for diet and health research, which will inform BBSRC's strategic decision-making. The study found that the public has specific and sensible priorities for what should be funded, highlighting the importance of stakeholder input in shaping research agendas.

Heat dangers forgotten in the battle against air pollution

A University College London study found that heat-related deaths were largely unaffected by pollutants such as ozone and particulates. Instead, temperature rises in early summer contributed significantly to mortality rates, highlighting the need for improved heat preparedness.

Atoms under control

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have cooled single rubidium atoms in an optical resonator for up to 17 seconds, a record-breaking achievement. This milestone demonstrates the potential of atomic manipulation for quantum computing applications.

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.

Does smoking cloud the brain?

A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals a direct relationship between smoking and neurocognitive function in men with alcoholism. Long-term smokers showed diminished thinking ability and lower IQ compared to non-smokers, even after adjusting for other factors.

New protocol tracks how land use influences the way streams work

A new protocol uses path analysis to track the impact of land use on streams, identifying key entities and processes that influence aquatic health. By analyzing 10 watersheds, researchers have developed a valuable approach to understanding the 'land-cover cascade' and its effects on stream ecosystems.

Muscle of obese 'programmed' to amass fat, genetic study finds

A genetic study found that the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) is three times more abundant in muscle of obese individuals than in lean individuals. This elevation in enzyme activity corresponds with diminished fat burning and changes in fat composition.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Brownian motion under the microscope

EPFL researchers used Photonic Force Microscopy to track Brownian fluctuations of a single particle at microsecond time scales and nanometer length scales, validating the corrected form of the standard theory. This validation underlines the importance of dynamical effects in Brownian motion at very small time scales.

Early life stress can lead to memory loss and cognitive decline in middle age

A new study by UCI researchers found that early life emotional stress can lead to deficits in brain-cell communication for learning and memory function, even in adulthood. Infants subjected to limiting nesting material in cages exhibited behavioral changes later in life, including difficulties with memory and recognition.

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.

Feedback loop found that could forestall liver disease

Researchers discovered a new hormone called fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) that regulates bile acid production in the liver and prevents damage. FGF15 is produced in the small intestine and can potentially treat conditions like cholestasis by reducing harmful bile acid levels.

Tiny bubbles a storehouse of knowledge

Fluid inclusions hold clues to understanding metal deposit formation and tracking oil deposits. By studying inclusions, scientists can predict where new fields may be discovered and uncover evidence of water and life on other planets.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Katrina floodwaters not as toxic to humans as previously thought, study says

A study by Louisiana State University researchers has found that Katrina floodwaters were not as toxic as previously thought, but still contained high levels of certain metals and bacteria. The findings suggest that while the floodwaters posed some risks to human health, they were not the chemical catastrophe initially predicted.

Practice makes perfect when implanting cardioverter-defibrillator devices

A study analyzing Medicare records found that patients receiving cardioverter-defibrillators from low-volume physicians experienced significantly higher rates of mechanical complications and infections. Higher-volume physicians showed similar complication rates when performing at least 11 devices per year.

U of MN researchers use human embryonic stem cells to kill cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have successfully generated natural killer cells from human embryonic stem cells that can target and destroy cancer cells. The breakthrough research suggests a potential new approach to treating cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and may also lead to treatments for infections.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The shape of things to come: Morphology database going global

A $2.25 million NSF grant will enhance MorphBank, a morphology database, to facilitate international collaboration and improve image retrieval with advanced search techniques. The system aims to change scientist habits by providing a platform for depositing images, commenting on research results, and accessing relevant information.

New study weighs impact of open access on scholarly journals

The new study found that full open-access journals face significant financial pressures over the longer term, with 41% reporting shortfalls. In contrast, subscription journals tend to be more profitable, with 81% of HighWire and AAMC journals reporting a profit.

Engineers point way to better use of nanotubes as measuring tips

Researchers at Purdue University have shown how to use multi-walled carbon nanotubes as measuring tips in atomic force microscopes. The tubes' shape allows them to penetrate nano-structures, but they often stick due to van der Waals' forces. To overcome this, the team found that adjusting operating parameters can prevent artifacts and ...

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.

Study: 'Run-down feeling' with illness may last longer as people age

Researchers found that older animals exhibited an exaggerated inflammatory response in the brain compared to younger adults when exposed to a peripheral infection. This led to prolonged sickness symptoms and cognitive disorders. The study suggests that normal aging may also prime microglial cells, making them overreact to infections.

ACP publishes 'Expert Guide to Sports Medicine'

The ACP Expert Guide to Sports Medicine covers assessment and management of common musculoskeletal injuries and other sports-related conditions. The book is organized in three sections: Overview, Medical Conditions (non-musculoskeletal), and Musculoskeletal Injuries, with tables, illustrations, and case studies.

Can an electron be in two places at the same time?

In Young's double-slit experiment, electrons exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. The Complementarity Principle explains this ambiguity, stating that an electron can be at position A or B, but not both at the same time.

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.

NIAID launches first Phase II trial of a 'global' HIV/AIDS vaccine

The experimental vaccine combines synthetically modified elements of four HIV genes found in subtypes A, B and C, representing about 85% of HIV infections worldwide. The trial aims to test the safety and ability of the vaccine to generate an immune response in healthy adults.

It's all in the timing

A study confirms that couples using natural family planning have intercourse just as frequently as those using other methods. They engage in more frequent sex before and after fertile times, with less sex during fertile days.

NIMH expands public health education effort

The National Institute of Mental Health expands its public health education effort to address the lack of awareness about depression among Latino men. The new campaign, Real Men Real Depression, aims to teach Latino men that depression is a medical condition affecting both mind and body.

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.

Physician pay-for-performance programs may produce little gain in quality

A study on a pay-for-performance program found that clinical quality scores improved only in one area, cervical cancer screening, and that low-performing groups often improved more than high-performing ones. The program's financial rewards were also deemed too low to motivate significant changes in quality.

US kidney failure rates stabilize, ending a 20-year climb

US kidney failure rates have stabilized over the past two decades, with diabetes and high blood pressure remaining leading causes. Despite progress, racial disparities persist, particularly among African Americans, who continue to experience higher rates of new cases.

Violent video games lead to brain activity characteristic of aggression

A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study found a causal link between playing violent video games and brain-activity patterns characteristic of aggressive cognitions. The research used a novel frame-by-frame method to analyze game content and measured brain activity, physiological measures, and audio data from the game.

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.

Supercomputers to enable safer, more efficient oil drilling

Researchers at Ohio State University are developing a software system to let supercomputers share workload and analyze large amounts of data. This enables faster simulation speeds and improved accuracy in predicting oilfield output, reducing the need for simplification of computer models.

Smoking risk factors among aboriginal youth

A recent study by Ravi Retnakaran and colleagues found that Aboriginal youths who smoked more than six cigarettes per day had higher systolic blood pressure and plasma homocysteine levels. The study highlights the importance of addressing smoking habits among Aboriginal youth to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Students learn better when the numbers don't talk and dance

Researchers found that students learned artificial math and science better when presented using simple, abstract symbols rather than concrete 3-D objects. This challenges the common belief that concrete materials make learning more engaging and increases motivation.

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.

Indian eddies supply Atlantic Ocean with warm water

Researchers found that Agulhas eddies, which transport seawater from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic Ocean, are large warm rings of water with a diameter of about 300 kilometres. These eddies import considerable quantities of heat into the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to climate change and global warming.

Florida physicians decrease or eliminate services

A study of 1,346 Florida physicians found that 54.4% decreased or eliminated patient services in the previous year, with surgical specialists and obstetricians/gynecologists among those most affected. Rising insurance premiums were linked to these changes, highlighting the need for policymakers to address access to healthcare.

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.