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Science News Archive September 2005


Page 2 of 15

NHLBI funds new centers for cell-based therapy

The NHLBI-funded program aims to translate knowledge into clinical practice for treating heart, lung, and blood diseases. It focuses on repairing damaged heart muscle, reducing immune complications, and enhancing adult stem cell interactions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NIH renews network focused on how genes influence drug responses

The NIH has renewed a network focused on understanding how genes influence drug responses, aiming to create personalized therapies with fewer side effects. The network will explore various genetic factors affecting medication efficacy and toxicity across nine NIH components.

T. P. Ma, pioneer of integrated circuitry, receives IEEE award

T.P. Ma, Yale University professor, receives IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award for his pioneering work on CMOS gate dielectrics, a crucial technology in modern silicon chips. He has made significant contributions to increasing integrated circuit operating speed and reliability while lowering cost per function.

Hospitals that follow guidelines save lives

The Guidelines Applied in Practice Project improves mortality rates in hospitals by implementing evidence-based therapies, resulting in lower heart attack death rates. The study found that standard discharge documents can cut the risk of patient dying within one year almost in half.

Kidney transplant patients face higher skin cancer risk

Renal transplant recipients are 3.6 times more likely to develop melanoma than the general population, with a mortality rate up to 6 percent in some regions. Men who have had a kidney transplant face the greatest risk, and risk increases rapidly with age.

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.

Cars, computer chips… and heart attacks?

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that hospitals using quality-improvement tactics reduced heart attack death rates by 21-26%. The effort involved a checklist to ensure patients received crucial treatments and lifestyle advice, leading to improved patient outcomes.

'Missing' dark matter really there, says Hebrew University cosmologist

A recent study published in Nature refutes previous claims of missing dark matter in elliptical galaxies, suggesting that massive dark-matter halos are present around these galaxies as well. The research uses simulations of galaxy mergers to explain the observations made by earlier studies.

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.

Ceramic/metal interface fracture toughness

Researchers evaluated the fracture toughness of Si3N4/S45C joints with interface cracks of different lengths. The specimen with a 4mm crack exhibited higher apparent fracture toughness due to reduced residual stress. Fracture propagation directions varied depending on crack length.

Serving up suds a hazardous task

A joint study by University of Alberta and Napier University of Scotland found bartending has the highest potential for injury in pubs, with workers at risk of back pain and shoulder strain. The study recommends changes such as reducing bar height, installing slip-free floors, and using dollys to move heavy loads to prevent injuries.

Fruit fly studies open new window on cancer research

Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered a family of amino acid transporters that promote cell growth when overexpressed in fruit flies, leading to excessive growth and tumour development. The findings suggest human equivalents of these genes may be involved in cancer, paving the way for potential new treatments.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

When computers mimic us, we love what we hear

Researchers created digital humans that mimicked participants' head movements and voices to test their persuasive effects. The study found that people were more emotionally engaged when interacting with these digital humans compared to traditional computer interfaces.

Musical training might be good for the heart

Research on 24 young men and women found that faster music speeds up breathing and circulation, while slower music decreases heart rate. Musicians experienced a stronger effect due to their ability to synchronize breathing with musical phrases.

'Cybertools' project receives $2 million NSF grant

The Cybertools project, led by Cornell University's Michael W. Macy, aims to develop tools to extract and analyze information from the Internet Archive, a massive collection of web pages. The project will explore the spread of innovation, social norms, and opinion dynamics in evolving networks.

Arctic sea ice continues decline as temperatures rise

The Arctic sea ice has been declining at an accelerating rate since the 1990s, with temperatures increasing and causing earlier springtime melting. The lowest sea-ice extent yet recorded was seen in September 2005, 20% lower than the previous average.

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.

Engineered molecule amplifies body's immune response

Researchers developed a hyper-responsive Stat1 molecule to amplify the body's immune response without side effects. This improvement could lead to treatments for viral infections, cancer, and other conditions with lower doses of interferon.

Married women have more sexual difficulties than single women or married men

A national survey found that married women were significantly more likely to report sex life problems than single women. Good communication and quality of first experience were also identified as important factors. The study suggests that many people with sexual dysfunction remain silent, with only a small percentage seeking help.

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.

New blood transplant method stops fatal side effect, Stanford study finds

A new blood transplant method has shown significant promise in reducing the risk of fatal side effects associated with cancer treatment. The Stanford study found that the therapy successfully boosted regulatory T cells, minimizing graft-versus-host disease without compromising its ability to kill cancerous cells.

Liver CRP production linked to atherosclerosis

Research shows that liver production of CRP is associated with atherosclerotic lesions, contradicting previous suggestions that CRP was merely a risk factor. Liver-derived CRP levels positively correlate with plaque size in rabbit models of atherosclerosis.

Math unites the celestial and the atomic

Researchers discovered a hidden unity between celestial mechanics and atomic physics, revealing similarities in the mathematics governing both. This connection enables new ways to design space missions with minimal fuel usage.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

It's a bug's life: MIT team tells moving tale

Insects use unique postures and forces to propel themselves up steep, slippery menisci in water. Researchers found two species of water treaders create dimples in the surface with their legs, generating forces that suck them up the slope.

'POZ parties' signal potential to spread HIV 'superinfection'

Researchers found that POZ parties in New York City attracted predominantly white, over-30 men with varying lengths of HIV infection. The parties' mix of unprotected sex and multiple partners raises concerns about the spread of treatment-resistant strains of HIV.

Flavanols key to potential chocolate benefits

A recent study suggests that flavanol-rich cocoa drinks can significantly improve blood vessel function in smokers, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers observed increases in nitric oxide levels and blood vessel responses after consumption of flavanol-rich drinks.

Meteorites offer glimpse of the early Earth, say Purdue scientists

Researchers analyzed 29 chunks of enstatite chondrite meteorites, which formed billions of years ago and are believed to hold clues about the early Earth's conditions. The study found that these rocks likely formed at lower temperatures than previously thought, shedding light on the planet's distant past.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Survey of poultry workers shows high rate of injuries

A recent survey of Latino poultry workers in western North Carolina found high rates of musculoskeletal injuries, with nearly half reporting pain in their hands or arms. The study also found significant differences in injury and illness rates among companies, highlighting the need for improved workplace safety measures.

Researchers uncover E. coli's defense mechanism

Scientists discovered a bacterial defense mechanism that reduces nitric oxide levels in response to the toxin, allowing bacteria to fend off the body's defenses. The NorR protein plays a crucial role in this process, and researchers hope to develop new antibiotics by disrupting this mechanism.

New research could help us deliver genes for new bone formation

Researchers at Southampton and Nottingham universities are developing a new method of gene delivery to promote bone tissue formation. The technique, if successful, could provide a new source of bone tissue for orthopaedic procedures, addressing healthcare needs associated with trauma, degenerative disease, and age-related bone loss.

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.

Smoking seems to increase brain damage in alcoholics

A new study finds that cigarette smoking exacerbates brain atrophy in alcoholics, particularly in regions such as the parietal and temporal lobes. The researchers discovered a direct relationship between brain volume and cognitive function among non-smoking alcoholics, but no similar link was found among smokers.

Laboratory professionals in Africa receive training under AIDS Relief Plan

The American Society for Clinical Pathology is providing laboratory training and quality improvement programs for diagnosis and monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited countries. The program aims to improve the effectiveness of HIV diagnostic, care, and treatment services and interventions.

Purdue engineers create safer, more efficient nuclear fuel, model its performance

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new nuclear fuel that conducts heat better than conventional fuels, promising to be safer and last longer. The fuel is made by interlacing uranium oxide with beryllium oxide, which increases thermal conductivity by 50%, reducing the risk of catastrophic accidents and allowing for more e...

'Secrets' of successful hospitals revealed

A study of top-performing hospitals reveals the importance of timely angioplasty treatment in heart attacks. Successful hospitals employ a range of strategies to meet the 90-minute door-to-balloon time standard, including pre-hospital ECGs and collaborative teamwork.

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.

New analysis puts dark matter back into elliptical galaxies

Researchers used simulations to show that dark matter halos are detectable in disk galaxies, but their absence in elliptical galaxies can be explained by the merger process. The study provides new insights into the formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies.

Penguin chicks exposed to human visitors experience spike in stress hormone

Researchers found that newly hatched magellanic penguin chicks in breeding grounds with large numbers of human visitors show a significant spike in stress-related hormone levels. As the chicks grew older, their behavior towards humans changed, with those in tourist areas becoming more tolerant but still exhibiting caution.

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.

Secrets of the deep may hold key to life on other planets

Researchers are using a NERC grant to study the unique creatures that live in hydrothermal vents, which could hold the key to understanding life on other planets. These organisms rely on bacteria living inside them for survival, and their geological history is believed to be radically different from other forms of life.

Climate change transforming Alaska's landscape

Researchers document a significant shift from wetlands to woodland and forest in the Kenai Peninsula Lowlands due to climate change. The transformation threatens biodiversity, habitat loss for migratory birds, and increased wildfire risks.

Eating foods with 'weak estrogens' may help reduce lung cancer risk

A large US population study found that eating foods with phytoestrogens, such as soy and fruits, may lower lung cancer risk. The study, involving over 3,500 participants, discovered a 46% reduced risk of developing lung cancer among those who consumed the highest amount of phytoestrogen-rich foods.

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.

Unwed mothers are less likely to marry, study shows

A new study by Cornell University researcher Daniel Lichter found that unwed mothers are less likely to improve their socio-economic status through marriage. Married women with children are significantly less likely to be poor than unmarried mothers, with only 6% of couples living below the poverty line.

Unusual meteorite unlocks treasure trove of solar system secrets

Researchers discovered an isotopic anomaly in osmium from a primitive meteorite, shedding light on the star types that contributed elements to the solar system. The findings challenge previous theories of incomplete mixing of different dust sources and instead suggest presolar stardust may have survived and preserved its signature.

Space test for Swiss-designed solar antennas

Researchers have developed a novel solar antenna that combines antenna functions and solar cells on a single surface, reducing weight and increasing efficiency. The technology has the potential to power homes and send/receive signals, improving data gathering capabilities in remote regions.

MSU researchers receive $4 million grant to uncover gene functions

Researchers will determine the functions of approximately 4,400 nuclear genes in Arabidopsis, focusing on chloroplast-targeted proteins that trigger photosynthesis. This project could lead to significant advances in human health and agriculture by optimizing plant productivity and nutrient production.

Hybrid grass may prove to be valuable fuel source

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that hybrid grass Miscanthus can produce more biomass than switchgrass, with greater rates of photosynthesis and no net effect on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The crop is also remarkably efficient and easy to grow, making it a promising renewable energy source.

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.