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Science News for October 11, 2005


Researchers seeking alternative to surgery for brain cancers

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an alternative therapy to surgery for brain cancers. By engineering T-cell receptors with enhanced binding capacity, the approach aims to eradicate tumors with minimal side effects.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateOct 11, 2005

Older patients with acute coronary syndromes not getting recommended treatment

A recent study analyzed data from over 56,000 patients treated for acute coronary syndromes and found that adherence to treatment guidelines decreases with age. The researchers discovered that older patients were less likely to receive clot-reducing drugs and undergo diagnostic procedures.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 11, 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.

Newly discovered hormone keeps digestive acid in check

The study found that a hormone called fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) limits the production of bile acid by the liver. FGF15 is produced in response to high levels of bile acid, triggering its secretion and regulating the body's digestive processes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 11, 2005

No reason to fear very low LDL

Researchers analyzed data from a large trial and found no safety concerns for patients with very low LDL levels. The study suggests that intensive statin therapy may be beneficial even when LDL levels drop below targeted levels.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceElsevier·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 11, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateOct 11, 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.

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.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 11, 2005
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateOct 11, 2005

Vanadium appears to play role in speeding recovery from infections

Researchers found that vanadium supplementation sped recovery in mice, with 50% faster recovery times in both diabetic and non-diabetic animals. The exact mechanism is unclear but may involve vanadium's metal-related shape or ability to inhibit tyrosine phosphatases.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 11, 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.

Immune therapy could treat leukemias, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new monoclonal antibody targeting immune system B cells that shows promise in treating leukemias, autoimmune diseases, and transplant rejection. The treatment effectively depletes malignant B cell tumors and reduces circulating antibody levels.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2005

Researchers call for better public health campaigns to control and eliminate river blindness

A new mathematical model developed by researchers at Imperial College London can help reduce the numbers affected by river blindness. The model measures exposure by analyzing how often people were bitten by flies carrying the parasite, providing a better understanding of the role of exposure in the fight against the disease.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateOct 11, 2005
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 11, 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.

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.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 11, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceFlorida State University·DateOct 11, 2005
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateOct 11, 2005

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 ...

SourcePurdue University·JournalNanotechnology·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·DateOct 11, 2005
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.

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateOct 11, 2005

New study on childhood asthma shows home-based interventions are cost-effective

A new study shows that home-based environmental interventions can significantly reduce asthma symptoms and healthcare costs in children. The program, which targeted six major allergen classes, resulted in a 19% decrease in unscheduled clinic visits and a 13% reduction in albuterol inhaler use.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateOct 11, 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.

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.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Biosocial Science·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateOct 11, 2005
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.

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·DateOct 11, 2005

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalMedia Psychology·DateOct 11, 2005