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Science News for October 13, 2005


NASA's Chandra reveals new star generation

Astronomers find massive stars forming close to super-massive black holes, challenging previous theories about their role in galaxy evolution. Researchers used Chandra X-ray Observatory data to study the Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) star cluster near the Milky Way's central black hole.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 13, 2005

Lack of dependability in user-developed software can be costly

Despite problems with user-developed software, Rosson highlights its potential benefits, including short-circuiting the software development lifecycle and promoting personal growth. She advocates for improved software tools to support testing, debugging, and overall design, enabling web developers to create reliable systems

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·DateOct 13, 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.

Kids who drink early in life: What does it mean for their future?

A study found that child and environmental factors are stronger predictors of early alcohol experimentation in late childhood, rather than family history. This is associated with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, poor physical health, and criminal behavior in adulthood.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 13, 2005

Warmer seas, wetter air make harder rains

A new study reveals that warmer oceans and atmosphere will cause more intense precipitation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Heavier rain will fall in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while the Mediterranean and US Southwest may experience decreased average precipitation due to longer dry periods.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 13, 2005

Alcoholics Anonymous and treatment seem to work best together

Research indicates that involvement in both AA and treatment leads to improved psychosocial outcomes, including higher rates of abstinence and remission. Long-term participation in AA is also associated with better social functioning and self-efficacy.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 13, 2005

Using information technology to coordinate emergency management

A framework based on four facets of activity awareness helps emergency management workers rescue families stranded by flood waters, while a grant from the UPS Foundation funded the presentation. The lecture emphasized the need for better data sharing and explanation among collaborators to evaluate joint outcomes.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·DateOct 13, 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.

Ocean invaders in deep time

Researchers sequenced goby DNA to find evidence of invasion; genetic analysis suggests Atlantic gobies invaded during warm period 150,000 years ago. Warmer climate may lead to further expansion of marine species beyond cold water barriers.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateOct 13, 2005

Terrorism is no surprise when a nation leaves itself vulnerable

Researchers Dr. Charles F. Parker and Dr. Eric K. Stern examine the US government's response to al-Qaeda-style terrorism following the 9/11 attacks. They find that increased policy attention has improved capabilities and interagency coordination, but acknowledge significant organizational and human frailties that remain unaddressed.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalForeign Policy Analysis·DateOct 13, 2005

Liverpool psychology helps bring peace to European football

Researchers found that a friendly-but-firm police presence, combined with preventing known troublemakers from travelling, led to an almost incident-free tournament. The study's 'low profile' tactics are credited with fostering peace among fans and reducing hooliganism.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateOct 13, 2005

Beneficial effects of no-till farming depend upon future climate change

Researchers found that no-till farming can store up to 868 million tons of carbon in soil, which could help meet the US's goal of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by one-fifth. Climate change affects soil carbon sequestration varying by region, with some areas experiencing increased storage and others reduced.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 13, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Trial demonstrates new drug's effectiveness against psoriasis

A new trial demonstrates the effectiveness of infliximab against psoriasis, with 80% of patients experiencing at least a 75% improvement in skin symptoms. The drug also showed promise in treating nail psoriasis, with significant reductions in severity and complete clearing of skin psoriasis in some cases.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 13, 2005

Forecasting the next great San Francisco earthquake

The Virtual California model forecasts almost 400 major earthquakes over 40,000 years, with a 25% chance in the next 20 years. The simulation indicates higher probabilities for future quakes by 2086.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 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.

Ancient anthropoid origins discovered in Africa

Researchers uncover fossils of two new species, Biretia fayumensis and Biretia megalopsis, in Egypt's Fayum desert, dating back 37 million years. The discoveries confirm that the common ancestor of humans, monkeys, and apes originated in Africa, with one species appearing to be nocturnal.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateOct 13, 2005

Hodgkin disease survivors face higher risk for stroke later in life

Researchers identified a significant increased risk of stroke among Hodgkin disease survivors compared to siblings of cancer survivors. The study found an incidence of strokes at 83.6 per 100,000 person-years for Hodgkin disease survivors, significantly higher than the control group.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 13, 2005

For the first time, a five-fold bond

Researchers at UC Davis have successfully synthesized a chromium-based compound with a five-fold bond, a feat previously thought impossible. This breakthrough challenges the current understanding of metal chemistry and opens up new avenues for research in carbon chemistry.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·DateOct 13, 2005

Lymphoma survivor recognized for helping Denver cancer patients

Mr. Anduri, a 30-year lymphoma survivor, is being recognized for his dedication to helping others in the local community through volunteer work with CanSurmount and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. The award highlights his generous spirit and good coming out of his cancer experience.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateOct 13, 2005
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.

Center releases new public survey on stem cells

A recent survey of over 2,200 Americans found broad support for human embryonic stem cell (ESC) research, with two-thirds approving or strongly approving its use. The study's findings contradict the deeply polarized debate seen in Congress and newspapers, highlighting a more nuanced public opinion landscape.

SourceGenetics & Public Policy Center, Johns Hopkins University·DateOct 13, 2005

JCI table of contents November, 2005

Researchers found that HIV-1 activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells via Toll-like receptor-viral RNA interactions, which is inversely correlated with successful control of HIV. This mechanism may lead to targeted immunotherapies for HIV.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 13, 2005

Drug breakthrough for psoriasis sufferers

The European Infliximab for Psoriasis Efficacy and Safety Study (EXPRESS) found that 80% of patients achieved at least a 75% improvement in symptoms after ten weeks treatment with the drug. The study showed significant skin clearance and nail psoriasis response in moderate to severe psoriasis sufferers.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 13, 2005

University of Delaware researchers develop cancer 'nanobomb'

University of Delaware researchers have developed a new therapeutic agent called 'nanobombs' that use carbon nanotubes to selectively kill cancer cells. The nanobombs are created by bundling carbon nanotubes and can be triggered by light, causing microscopic explosions that target specific areas within the body.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateOct 13, 2005

A new step towards an AIDS vaccine

Researchers identify a key pathway for targeting pDC function in HIV vaccine development. A decrease in blood pDC frequency is observed in chronic HIV infections, correlating with high viral load and reduced CD4 counts.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 13, 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.

Rensselaer awarded NIH grant to support cheminformatics research

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received an NIH grant to establish a center for cheminformatics research, which will utilize computational techniques to predict chemical compound behavior. The RECCR aims to strengthen collaboration between researchers in various disciplines and advance biotechnology and life sciences research.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateOct 13, 2005

Moderate alcohol consumption can act as a 'blood thinner'

A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that moderate drinking is associated with lower levels of stickiness in platelets, which can lead to fewer blood clots. The research, conducted on over 1,000 participants, suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may have a protective effect against cardiovascula...

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 13, 2005

Yale environment school professor receives research award

Peter A. Raymond, Yale assistant professor of ecosystem ecology, has received the 2005 Cronin Award for his research on rivers, estuaries, and coastal systems' role in carbon budgets. He studies climate and land use's impact on river carbon transfer and collaboration with researchers on air-water CO2 exchange.

SourceYale University·DateOct 13, 2005

Researchers at Yale identify a genetic link to Tourette's Syndrome

Researchers at Yale have identified a genetic link to Tourette's Syndrome in a rare DNA sequence mutation. The study found an abnormal DNA sequence in one family and identical, very rare changes in two unrelated individuals, suggesting the gene plays a role in regulating gene expression through microRNAs.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateOct 13, 2005
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.

Cyberkinetics, Case to develop system to help restore extremity function

A joint project between Cyberkinetics, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland FES Center aims to develop a neuroprosthetic system capable of restoring partial arm and hand function. The proposed system combines limb movement technology with brain-interface technology to enable human users to control devices through thought ...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateOct 13, 2005

Wetness-defying water?

Researchers found a single layer of water on a platinum surface is hydrophobic, repelling subsequent layers, contrary to previous assumptions about water molecule attachment points. The discovery challenges current theories and has implications for technological applications such as catalysis and corrosion.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 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.

Flip-flopped chromosome reveals a first clue to Tourette syndrome

Researchers have identified a potential genetic link to Tourette syndrome, discovering a mutation in the SLITRK1 gene that is associated with the growth and interconnection of neurons. The study suggests that multiple genes, including SLITRK1, contribute to the development of TS.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 13, 2005

Evidence for more dust than ice in comets

New findings from the Rosetta spacecraft suggest comets are composed primarily of dust held together by ice, contradicting the long-held 'dirty snowball' hypothesis. Cometary nuclei like Comet 9P/Tempel 1 exhibit dynamic and volatile properties, with impacts triggering outbursts of dust and gas.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 2005

Russian 'surrogate' alcohols are a killer

Researchers analyzed surrogate alcohols consumed by Russian men, finding high ethanol content or toxic contaminants. These products, including home-made spirits and medicinal tinctures, contribute to Russia's high death rate due to accidents, violence, and cardiovascular deaths.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateOct 13, 2005
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.