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Science News for October 14, 2005


Senator Arlen Specter to be honored at AACR gala

The American Association for Cancer Research will honor Senator Arlen Specter for his tireless support of biomedical research funding. His leadership and collaboration have led to significant advancements in cancer care, making Pennsylvania a hub for cutting-edge research institutions.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateOct 14, 2005

Computers can teach patients about screening for cancer

Patients who used a computer to learn about a screening test for colon cancer showed equal success and knowledge compared to those educated by a nurse. The study suggests that computer-assisted instruction can help increase screening rates for colon cancer by overcoming patient confusion and physicians' lack of time.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 14, 2005

Study focuses on age of first alcoholic drink

A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that children with more conduct disorder symptoms tend to have an earlier age of first drink. The study analyzed data from nine sites and found no link between family history of alcoholism and early drinking age.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateOct 14, 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.

Medicare elimination of essential drugs will affect elderly

The Medicare elimination of essential drugs will have a significant impact on 24% of elderly recipients, who will lose coverage for essential medications like benzodiazepines. This could lead to withdrawal reactions, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateOct 14, 2005

Small molecule inhibitor of cholera discovered

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a custom small molecule inhibitor that can prevent cholera bacteria from setting up an infection. The approach uses virulence protein expression and has potential to be widely applicable against other important pathogens.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateOct 14, 2005

Heredity plays big role in heart disease risk factors

Researchers found that lipid levels and heart rate variability are 60-80% determined by genetics, with blacks showing a more favorable pattern of heart rate variability. The study provides new insight into the development of cardiovascular disease and may lead to targeted treatment strategies.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalTwin Research and Human Genetics·DateOct 14, 2005

Double-trouble: Cells with duplicate genomes can trigger tumors

Researchers found that cells with double genomes are more prone to generating tumors in mice, and these tumors show genomic instability similar to many human cancers. Inaccurate chromosome segregation can also lead to the formation of tetraploid cells, which contribute to cancer development.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 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.

Flu virus reported to resist drug envisioned for pandemic

Health officials should consider alternative options due to high flu virus resistance to Tamiflu, a key drug in pandemic preparedness. The discovery raises concerns about the effectiveness of stockpiled doses and may require reevaluation of global strategies.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2005

What mutations tell us about protein folding

Small single-domain proteins, often referred to as 'two-state folders', fold into their three-dimensional structures by crossing only a single barrier. A new interpretation of mutational data suggests that this process involves a fully formed helix in the transition state.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 14, 2005

Preventing fetal exposure to popular acne drug

A survey of pregnant women taking isotretinoin found that many failed to comply with key requirements for preventing birth defects. The study's results highlight the need for improved pregnancy prevention programs to prevent isotretinoin-related birth defects.

SourceWiley·DateOct 14, 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.

Pillows - a hot bed of fungal spores

A recent study by the University of Manchester discovered that pillows can contain a substantial fungal load, with some samples having over 1 million fungal spores per pillow. The research highlights the potential for fungal contamination to exacerbate respiratory diseases like asthma and sinusitis in adults.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalAllergy·DateOct 14, 2005

How to braid nanoropes

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces investigated the assembly of filament networks and bundles. They found that thermal motion prevents bundle formation unless crosslinker concentration exceeds a certain threshold value.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 14, 2005

$6.5M nanomedicine center includes Yale engineer

A $6.5 million nanomedicine center at Yale University aims to design, model, synthesize, and fabricate nanomedical devices based on natural and synthetic ion transporters. The center will focus on developing biobatteries for implantable devices, including an artificial retina.

SourceYale University·DateOct 14, 2005

ECG transmission by cell phone speeds heart attack treatment

Physicians at Providence Hospital have developed an early triage system using cell phones and ECGs to quickly transmit tracing data from paramedics in the field to emergency rooms, reducing average door-to-balloon time from 88 to 44 minutes.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateOct 14, 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.

MBL scientist John Hobbie to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

John Hobbie, a renowned marine biologist, is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on decomposition and productivity in aquatic ecosystems. With over 40 years of research experience, he has made significant contributions to our understanding of estuaries and coastal ecosystems.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·DateOct 14, 2005