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Science News for October 20, 2005


Ultrafast lasers take 'snapshots' as atoms collide

Researchers at JILA use laser pulses to take snapshots of atom collisions, revealing how atoms briefly lose form and energy when colliding. The results provide new insights into atomic dynamics and the laws of physics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 20, 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.

More than 50% of surveyed Norwegian doctors self-prescribe

A study of Norwegian medical students found that nearly 70% self-prescribed medication in their first year after graduation, a trend that continued into their fourth and ninth years. The most commonly self-prescribed medications were antibiotics, contraceptives, and analgesics.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateOct 20, 2005

Cell cultures can sort out CJD and scrapie infectious agents

A recent study published in Science demonstrates a new and sensitive assay for infecting prion diseases, including CJD and scrapie. The research shows that persistent replication of the infectious agent provides protection against more virulent strains, without requiring misfolded prions.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2005
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.

Got milk? How breastfeeding affects HIV transmission

Researchers identified a human milk component that blocks HIV interaction with dendritic cells and inhibits viral transfer to CD4+ T-lymphocytes. This discovery has significant implications for developing agents to block HIV transmission.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 2005

JCI table of contents November, 2005

Researchers pinpoint CD36 as the first candidate for detecting fatty acids in the oral cavity, influencing digestive physiology and potentially increasing obesity risk. The study also reveals an alteration in the fat perception system may impact HIV transmission through human milk.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 2005

Study finds defibrillators available in many high schools

A study by the University of Iowa found that 37% of high schools have defibrillators, but surprisingly, cardiac arrests are relatively uncommon in these schools, with a rate of about 2 percent per year. In contrast, senior centers had higher rates of cardiac arrests, with only 10% having defibrillators.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPrehospital Emergency Care·DateOct 20, 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.

International conference on AIDS India presents lifetime achievement award

Dr. Henry Gabelnick, a renowned expert in reproductive health and microbicide development, has been awarded the lifetime achievement award by International Conference on AIDS India. The award recognizes his significant contributions to the field, including the development of Ushercell, a microbicide consisting of cellulose sulfate.

SourceCONRAD·DateOct 20, 2005

Alzheimer disease and the blood brain barrier: Is Abeta transport the key?

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that P-glycoprotein plays a critical role in transporting amyloid-beta (Abeta) from the brain to the blood via the blood-brain barrier. The research suggests that altering P-glycoprotein function due to chronic drug treatment could increase Abeta deposition and risk of de...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 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.

New gene regulation mechanism discovered

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified a messenger RNA molecule that switches from non-protein coding status to protein coding status in response to cellular stress. This 'cut and run' mechanism likely controls the expression of many genes, providing a rapid response to viral infection or other stresses.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCell·DateOct 20, 2005

Rice scientists build world's first single-molecule car

Rice University scientists have constructed the world's smallest car, a single molecule 'nanocar' with four buckyball wheels. The nanocar can roll on its axles in a direction perpendicular to its movement, marking a significant achievement in bottom-up molecular manufacturing.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 20, 2005

Breakup of glaciers raising sea level concern

Researchers warn that the breakdown of major ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica could significantly speed up sea level rise, potentially doubling current projections. The study suggests that these mechanisms should be carefully considered in future climate models to ensure accurate sea level rise predictions.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2005
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Trained wasps may be used to detect bombs, bugs, bodies and more

Researchers have developed a prototype device using trained Microplitis croceipes wasps to detect target odors, including explosives and toxic fungi. The device, called Wasp Hound, can be used for various applications, such as detecting plant diseases, chemical odors associated with human diseases, and hidden bodies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalBiotechnology Progress·DateOct 20, 2005

World's poorest children missing out on child survival strategies

Research reveals that many poor children in low-income countries are missing out on effective child survival strategies, including vitamin A supplements, safe water, and immunizations. Countries with higher coverage rates have less inequity than those with lower coverage rates.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 20, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quantum dots that produce white light could be the light bulb's successor

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a way to make quantum dots produce broad-spectrum white light, similar to sunlight. The discovery uses 'magic-sized' nanocrystals that emit light without chemical treatment, offering a potential sustainable alternative to traditional lighting.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 20, 2005

Molecule crucial for processing non-coding RNA identified

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a novel multi-protein complex called the Integrator that plays a central role in processing small nuclear RNAs. This complex, which consists of at least 12 subunits, appears to bind to both CTD and specific genes coding for snRNAs.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalCell·DateOct 20, 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.

Stronger than steel, harder than diamonds

FSU researcher Ben Wang is pushing the boundaries of buckypaper, a material made from carbon nanotubes that's twice as hard as a diamond. The potential applications are vast, including developing stronger aerospace structures, more-effective body armor and next-generation computer displays.

SourceFlorida State University·DateOct 20, 2005

Treatment advances for lymphoma have reduced deaths by 70%

Recent studies have shown that combining standard chemotherapy with new monoclonal antibody therapies can significantly improve survival rates for patients with follicular lymphoma. The latest study, led by Richard I. Fisher, found a 91% four-year survival rate for patients treated with this regimen.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 20, 2005

Flavonoids may inhibit prostate cancer

A study by Case Western Reserve University researchers found that apigenin, a plant flavonoid, slowed tumor growth in mice with prostate cancer. Apigenin also reduced IGF-1 levels associated with increased cancer risk and triggered cell self-destruction.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateOct 20, 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.

Sunny future for nanocrystal solar cells

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed dual nanocrystal solar cells that are as cheap and easy to make as organic polymer-based solar cells. The new devices, comprising cadmium-selenide and cadmium-telluride, offer improved stability in air due to the absence of organic materials.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2005

Magnetic nanoparticles assembled into long chains

Researchers at NIST have successfully assembled and disassembled long chains of magnetic nanoparticles, offering potential applications in medical imaging and information storage. The chains are formed using a weak magnetic field, which induces alignment of the nanoparticles and allows for controlled manipulation.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalLangmuir·DateOct 20, 2005

Satellite study doubles forest disturbance estimates in Brazil—impacts widespread

A recent study using high-resolution satellite data found that selective logging in the Brazilian Amazon has been underestimated by half, with an annual extent of around 4,685 to 7,973 square miles. This has significant ecological implications for the region and beyond, including increased carbon emissions and biodiversity loss.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2005
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.

Molecular drug pump may help reduce risk of Alzheimer's

Scientists found that P-glycoprotein accelerates clearance of amyloid beta from the brain, potentially reducing Alzheimer's risk. The study suggests that pharmaceuticals affecting Pgp activity levels may also influence Alzheimer's risk.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 2005

US Congress blocked opportunity to make food aid more effective

The Bush Administration proposed purchasing 25% of its food aid abroad to reduce transportation costs, but Senate leaders opposed the move, prioritizing domestic interests over international efforts to combat hunger. The World Food Programme emphasized the need for a concerted global response to address the issue.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 20, 2005

Yale researchers make cell biology quantitative

Yale researchers have developed a method to count absolute numbers of individual protein molecules inside living cells and measure their locations with high accuracy. This breakthrough addresses fundamental hurdles for studying biology quantitatively, enabling the measurement of protein concentrations in various cellular structures.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2005

Stem cells' electric abilities might help their safe clinical use

Researchers have discovered functional ion channels in human stem cells that regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. By targeting specific potassium channels, scientists may be able to control cell growth and prevent tumor formation, potentially leading to new treatments for various diseases.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalStem Cells·DateOct 20, 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.