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Science News for September 21, 2005


Resistance to anti-flu agents increasing worldwide

The study found that drug resistance increased from 0.4% in 1994-1995 to 12.3% in 2003-2004, with 61% of resistant viruses coming from people in Asia. This alarming trend has significant implications for agencies and governments planning to stockpile anti-flu agents.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 21, 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.

Impact of global warming on weather patterns underestimated

Climate models have significantly underestimated changes in air pressure, leading to a lower estimate of global warming's effect on weather patterns. Air pressure trends have contributed to temperature increases and rainfall changes in regions like Scotland, UK, and Siberia.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature·DateSep 21, 2005

New network pools visualisation expertise

Researchers at Loughborough University have developed a lightweight visualisation tool for the RealityGrid e-Science project, which uses Grid technologies to model and simulate complex condensed matter structures. The tool can be used on mobile devices and supports multiple users to view and interact with data simultaneously.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 2005

The end of daylight savings time may harm your oral health

Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies may increase the risk of periodontitis due to inflammation and bone loss. Research suggests that obtaining adequate vitamin D through sunshine or fortified foods is crucial to prevent this.

SourceAmerican Academy of Periodontology·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateSep 21, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New online atlas provides collective maps of human brain folds

The PALS (Population-Average, Landmark-, and Surface-based) atlas provides a comprehensive map of the human cerebral cortex, combining data from multiple individuals to improve accuracy. The atlas has already helped scientists understand how genetic disorders affect brain structure and function.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuroImage·DateSep 21, 2005

World's smallest universal material testing system

Researchers at Northwestern University developed the first complete micromachine that can characterize mechanical properties of nanowires and carbon nanotubes in real-time. The system uses differential capacitive sensing to measure applied forces with nano-Newton resolution.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2005

MRSA is a global problem—perspectives from around the world

Countries like Finland and the Netherlands have successfully controlled MRSA through strict screening, contact precautions, and rapid identification of cases. In contrast, Japan's lack of a mechanism to identify patients within hospitals has led to high MRSA incidence rates worldwide.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateSep 21, 2005

Definitive gene screen confirms MS suspects

A definitive gene screen has confirmed the major histocompatibility complex genes' significant influence on multiple sclerosis (MS) genetics. The study, which analyzed genetic data from over 730 families, found critical implications for future MS research directions.

SourceAmerican Neurological Association·DateSep 21, 2005

Vineyard weeds found to host Pierce's disease of grapes

Researchers found that 27 of 29 weed species can harbor Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium causing Pierce's disease in grapes. Environmental conditions significantly impact bacterial growth, highlighting the need for targeted weed control measures to prevent disease spread.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPlant Disease·DateSep 21, 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.

Hopkins experts highlight strategies to raise levels of so-called good HDL cholesterol

Researchers highlight the importance of raising HDL cholesterol levels, citing a link between higher levels and lower risk of fatal heart attacks. They recommend lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, weight control, and dietary changes to boost HDL levels, and discuss the benefits and potential risks of drug therapy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 21, 2005

Researcher says Halloween no laughing matter for many youngsters

Halloween is a festival of inversion where children turn traditional roles upside down, dressing up in grown-up costumes and demanding treats from adults. Cindy Dell Clark's research highlights how the holiday exposes young children to their fears when they encounter death-themed decorations.

SourcePenn State·JournalEthos·DateSep 21, 2005

MRI pioneer wins national physics prize

William Edelstein's contributions to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) led to the commercialization of high-resolution imaging technology. His work on the Spin Warp method and other innovations improved image quality and reduced noise, making MRI systems clinically useful.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateSep 21, 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.

Implant-supported overdentures are a successful solution for edentulous people

A recent study found that implant-placed overdentures have a cumulative survival rate of 95.4% after 10 years, with success rates of 87.3% for maxilla implants and 99.5% for mandible implants. This procedure provides improved chewing function and confidence for individuals with missing teeth.

SourceAmerican Academy of Periodontology·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateSep 21, 2005

e-Science makes weather forecasts available for search and rescue

An e-Science project has adapted SARIS software to access near real-time Met Office forecasts of ocean currents and winds, providing more accurate data for rescue predictions. This adaptation aims to reduce the time to rescue and potentially save lives.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 2005

Ministers' conference focuses on energy sustainability

Energy ministers from Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments agreed to work together to enhance the security, reliability, and sustainability of the country's energy systems. They also emphasized the importance of collaborating with industry to develop real and sustainable solutions to meet Canada's energy needs.

SourceNatural Resources Canada·DateSep 21, 2005

U-M researchers identify new blood test for prostate cancer

Researchers at U-M have developed a new blood test for prostate cancer that uses 22 biomarkers to accurately identify cancerous samples. The test shows promise as a supplement or replacement for current PSA testing methods, which can produce false positives and unnecessary biopsies.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 21, 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.

Advances in brain imaging for epilepsy

Researchers have found that a marker for serotonin systems can identify epilepsy-generating brain areas, even in patients with normal MRI scans. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce the need for invasive EEG studies and improve surgical outcomes for patients with uncontrolled seizures.

SourceAmerican Neurological Association·DateSep 21, 2005

Database of cancer records now available for research

The CLEF repository provides a platform for researchers to access and analyze large-scale patient records, using techniques to extract relevant information from text. This will lead to faster, better or different research in the field of cancer treatment and care management.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 2005

A cosmic baby-boom

A team of astronomers has discovered a large population of galaxies formed between 9 and 12 billion years ago, contradicting previous estimates that the Universe had not yet formed many stars in the first billion years. The findings suggest that stars formed two to three times faster than previously thought.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateSep 21, 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.

IODP Cascadia margins gas hydrates expedition underway

The IODP Cascadia margins gas hydrates expedition is underway, exploring the presence of ice-like solids composed of water and natural gas on marine continental shelves. Media representatives are invited onboard the drillship in Victoria port on Oct. 31, 2005 for tours of the ship.

SourceIntegrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International·JournalScientific Drilling·DateSep 21, 2005

Water channel protein implicated in relative of multiple sclerosis

The study identifies aquaporin-4 as the target molecule of the NMO antibody, a significant finding that deviates from previous research on multiple sclerosis. The discovery may lead to the development of new therapies for neuromyelitis optica and other autoimmune disorders.

SourceAmerican Neurological Association·DateSep 21, 2005

Output of e-Science project helps GSK speed up drug discovery

GSK has successfully implemented a new automated process for the early phase of drug discovery, using InforSense KDE to retrieve and analyse data rapidly. This technology allows chemists to modify complex analytic workflows and access data from distributed databases, significantly improving their ability to respond to scientific needs.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 2005

Materials scientists get the whole picture with new e-Science technique

Researchers develop new e-Science techniques to visualize data from large detectors, such as the ISIS neutron source. This allows for better understanding of material properties and opens up new research opportunities in materials science. The new methods, including GAPtk, enable users to manipulate gigabytes of data in near real-time.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 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.

New crystal structure of Alzheimer's drug predicted

A team of researchers successfully predicted a new polymorph of the Alzheimer's drug piracetam, demonstrating the potential of computational methods in pharmaceutical industry. The prediction was made using Grid technologies and validated through experimental techniques, showcasing the credibility of the methodology.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 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.

e-Science records Roman finds

Archaeologists at Silchester are using a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) to digitize their findings and facilitate collaboration with researchers worldwide. The project aims to reduce the time spent on digitization and enable easier comparison of data across different databases.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateSep 21, 2005