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Science News for September 28, 2005


Physicists say universe evolution favored three and seven dimensions

Physicists Andreas Karch and Lisa Randall propose that the relaxation principle in the early universe led to the formation of three- or seven-dimensional realities. These dimensions could be hidden from our perception, with our three-dimensional reality being just one of them.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceYale University·DateSep 28, 2005
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalCancer·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 28, 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.

'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.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceAZoNetwork·DateSep 28, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalApplied Ergonomics·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 28, 2005
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.

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.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalHeart·DateSep 28, 2005

'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.

SourceCornell University·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateSep 28, 2005
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 28, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateSep 28, 2005

Scientists show that tick-borne flaviviruses use a novel mechanism to evade host defenses

Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism used by tick-borne flaviviruses to counteract the natural ability of interferon to combat the virus. The study found that NS5 protein blocks immune defenses, preventing the immune system from stopping the spread of the virus and helping the body recover from infection.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Virology·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateSep 28, 2005

Illinois researchers to play key roles in study of emergence of life

Researchers from Illinois University will use grants to recreate early Earth's geochemical processes, exploring how translation in cells may have begun with the genetic code. The team aims to fill gaps in understanding evolution, which is crucial for studying life beyond Earth.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateSep 28, 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.

Seniors with low age expectations likelier to lead sedentary lives, new UCLA study finds

A new UCLA study found that seniors with the lowest expectations for aging were more than twice as likely to report engaging in less than 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity. Increasing physical activity can improve health outcomes for older adults, making it a powerful way to address common age-related health issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 2005
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.

'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.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourcePurdue University·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry·DateSep 28, 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.

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.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateSep 28, 2005
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.

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Clinical Pathology·DateSep 28, 2005

'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.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 28, 2005

Prevalence of 'risky' sex among gay men doubled in Scotland over six years

The prevalence of unprotected anal sex with casual partners increased by 10% between 1996 and 2002, with rates higher among those who were less optimistic about HIV treatment. Renewed national efforts are needed to counteract 'prevention fatigue' and promote effective HIV prevention strategies.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateSep 28, 2005

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 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.