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Science News Archive October 2005


Page 2 of 16

A persistent immune response to an acute viral infection

A study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that the body's T cell response to parvovirus B19 persists long after symptoms have cleared, contradicting previous assumptions about the virus. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development and treatment of this viral infection.

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.

Highlights from October ESA journals

New studies reveal that a significant portion of US species are threatened, with only 15% well-studied. Wandering albatrosses have an unique foraging strategy, catching prey in highly dispersed areas. Coral reefs can recover from nuclear tests within five years, but ecosystem integrity is crucial.

New brain tumor model developed

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a heretofore unknown role for the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor INK4C in medulloblastoma development. The study found that Ink4c inactivation cooperates with mutations in Patched to stimulate medulloblastoma formation, even when p53 is intact.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study establishes link between air pollution, ischemic strokes

A study examining air quality over 37,000 days found a one percent higher risk of hospitalization for ischemic stroke on high-pollution days. The researchers believe that particulate matter in the air promotes inflammation and can lead to changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

What is the best treatment strategy for early rheumatoid arthritis?

Initial combination therapy with either prednisone or infliximab significantly reduces progression of radiographic joint damage and improves functional outcomes compared to DMARDs alone or step-up combination therapy. Patients treated with initial combination therapy also experience earlier relief from symptoms.

Which drugs should health plans cover?

Experts from Group Health Research Institute outline five principles for making informed decisions on drug coverage, prioritizing true experiments, real health outcomes, and full ranges of alternatives. These evidence-based guidelines aim to protect patients and promote cost-effectiveness.

Regular physical activity may strenghten knee cartilage

A study found that moderate exercise can improve knee cartilage strength and elasticity, reducing the progression of osteoarthritis. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce knee pain and stiffness, as well as improve functional performance tests.

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.

Medical news tips

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have found hormone therapy will not diminish the value of radiation for prostate cancer. Additionally, a leukemia drug shows modest benefits in suppressing PSA levels for some men with localized prostate cancer.

Alaska avian flu project issues initial surveillance results

Scientists in Alaska screened over 4,500 samples for avian influenza viruses, detecting 30 cases with varying subtypes. Notably, none of these strains tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype, but researchers will continue to monitor the state's risk and build predictive models to understand virus evolution.

'Know thyself' — easier said than done

A recent study found that people generally overestimate their abilities and health risks, leading to poor decision-making in areas such as health management, education, and the workplace. This can have serious consequences, including underestimating susceptibility to health risks and overconfidence in professional competence.

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.

What makes the brain tick, tick, tick. . .

Researchers at Duke University explore the neural mechanisms of interval timing, a fundamental process involved in tasks like walking, speech recognition, and learning. They propose a new model involving the 'coincidence detection' of oscillatory patterns, which integrates information from various brain structures.

Novel discovery of 'DCDC2' gene associated with dyslexia

Researchers identified the DCDC2 gene as a significant contributor to dyslexia, disrupting brain circuitry that enables reading. The study's findings have the potential to lead to early and accurate diagnoses, as well as more effective educational programs for individuals with dyslexia.

Picky female frogs drive evolution of new species in less than 8,000 years

Researchers found that reestablished contact between two isolated green-eyed tree frog populations led to the emergence of a new species due to females' preference for mates from their own lineage. This preference resulted in reproductive isolation and accelerated evolution, ultimately giving rise to a distinct species.

Study: Arctic undergoing holistic climate-change response

A comprehensive Arctic climate change study examines the cascading effects of warming on various components, including land, vegetation, animals, weather, and human systems. The research highlights the dramatic impacts of warming on Arctic ecosystems, emphasizing the need for policymakers and the public to understand these changes.

Volunteers sought for avian flu vaccine study

A new vaccine study is testing a targeted vaccine against the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, aiming to protect vulnerable populations. Participants will receive three doses of either the vaccine or placebo over six months, with blood samples collected to test for protection.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Lack of specialist care for head injuries costing lives

A recent study has found that patients with head injuries are ten times more likely to die than those with other types of injuries. The lack of neurosurgical care is associated with a significant increase in mortality rates, highlighting the need for improved emergency response systems.

Botox® injections effective for treating stroke spasticity

A study found that Botox injections significantly improved muscle tone and functional disability in stroke patients, with at least 50% achieving a 1-point or greater improvement. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with only 7% reporting adverse events.

Hepatitis C complicated by morphine withdrawal

Research by Chuan-Qing Wang and colleagues found that morphine withdrawal and precipitated withdrawal increase HCV replicon expression and inhibit IFN-alpha production in liver cells. This study suggests that opioid abuse may contribute to the chronicity of HCV infection and promote disease progression.

Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific highlights

This issue features studies on variability in NGC2301 II, superhumps in cataclysmic binaries, and host galaxies of QSOs at high redshift. Researchers also investigate data exchange standards for optical interferometry and analyze seeing data for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope.

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.

Oncology, cancer genomics research on agenda for UH grad

Mohamad Halawi, a UH graduate, has been awarded multiple scholarships and a prestigious NIH fellowship to pursue his passion in cancer genomics research. With these honors, he aims to become a physician-scientist practicing in oncology.

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.

New Science study: Mangroves shielded communities against tsunami

A new Science study confirmed that mangroves played a crucial role in shielding communities from the devastating effects of tsunamis. The study found that areas with trees suffered less destruction than those without, highlighting the importance of coastal vegetation in reducing tsunami damage.

Forsyth scientists identify a gene responsible for facial diversity

Researchers discover bmp4 gene plays key role in regulating craniofacial diversity, with implications for understanding human craniofacial defects and preserving species biodiversity. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying biodiversity and offers possibilities for exploring what genes make a head.

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.

Relatives of women with faulty gene have high risk of breast cancer

A study found that relatives of women with bilateral breast cancer and a normal CHEK2 gene are at a 23.8% risk by age 80, while those with the faulty variant have a 58.8% risk. Testing for the CHEK2*1100delC mutation in women with family history could be useful for predicting personal risks.

Sandia demonstrates device for preventing battlefield friendly fire

The US Army and Air Force partnered with Sandia National Laboratories to test the effectiveness of Athena, a device that uses radar to identify friendly forces on the battlefield. The successful demonstration showcases the potential for this technology to prevent fratricide, or killing one's own soldiers, in combat situations.

Possible predictors of relationship violence

Researchers found that certain acts, such as unexpected visits and controlling behavior, are linked to an increased risk of relationship violence. The study suggests that these behaviors can be used as warning signs to prevent future violence.

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.

Gene for B-cell development factor might be involved in multiple sclerosis

A study found that patients with multiple sclerosis were more likely to carry a specific variation of the gene EBF-1, which is involved in axonal damage. The researchers also discovered that one version of the microsatellite within the gene was more frequently found in MS patients than healthy controls.

Lack of sex could be a signpost to extinction, claim researchers

The lack of sexual reproduction in the asexual fungus Penicillium marneffei is limiting its ability to adapt to new environments, making it highly successful in its local area but stopping its spread to other areas. This inability to adapt may ultimately lead to extinction due to the importance of gene mixing for adaptation.

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.

Cruciferous vegetables may help some people protect against lung cancer

A recent study published in The Lancet found that consuming cruciferous vegetables may protect against lung cancer, particularly for individuals with inactive forms of specific genes. The research revealed a 33% protective effect in those with an inactive GSTM1 gene and a 37% effect in those with an inactive GSTT1 gene.

A new blueprint to aid physicians in predicting risk for type 1 diabetes

Researchers developed a new approach to predict type 1 diabetes risk by combining older and newer methods, identifying a specific protein marker associated with rapid progression. The study found that individuals positive for this marker have an 80% risk of developing the disease after just 6.7 years.

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.

Public health nursing education changing with the times

This study explores the evolution of public health nursing education in response to emerging trends and innovations. The findings highlight the need for flexible and adaptable curricula that incorporate technology-enhanced learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice.

An essential regulator of body weight revealed

Researchers have discovered that NPY/AgRP neurons are crucial for regulating eating behavior and body weight. Eliminating these neurons in adult mice resulted in reduced appetite and significant weight loss, highlighting their importance in maintaining normal feeding behavior.

Study reveals hormone can reduce food intake, body weight

Researchers found that the hormone PYY inhibits eating in the morning but not in the evening, resulting in mild weight loss. High doses of PYY are required for weight loss, and further studies are needed to understand its potential as a weight loss treatment.

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.

Deprived people less likely to get treatment to prevent heart disease

A study by the University of Bristol found that socio-economically deprived individuals are less likely to receive cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering treatment. The Framingham score, used to identify high-risk patients, was shown to underestimate risk in these groups, resulting in inadequate preventive treatments.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Who's available to help in times of crisis and disaster?

A recent study published in Public Health Nursing has identified various organizations that provide support during times of crisis and disaster. These organizations include academic and professional societies, journals, and publishing companies, which offer resources and assistance to those affected.