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Science News for September 8, 2005


Human brain is still evolving

Recent studies suggest that major variants in genes Microcephalin and ASPM are evolving under strong natural selection in modern human populations. These genetic changes may have emerged as a result of cultural evolution and the spread of agriculture and written language, coinciding with key milestones in human history.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2005

New research to examine at health services

A new research project will look at the Australian healthcare system's performance and identify areas for improvement. The study aims to create a more accessible and sustainable primary healthcare system, especially for people with chronic illnesses.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Funding for South Australian health research

The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute funds three South Australian projects to enhance healthcare communication and address chronic disease management. Researchers will investigate best practices in general practice, rural health care, and mild chronic lung disease management.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005

Treating mental health in general practice

The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of self-help and information technology in delivering better services for people with mental health problems. It is part of a larger funding round aimed at improving primary health care policy.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005

Researchers discover key to human embryonic stem-cell potential

A team of researchers has identified three key transcription factors that enable human embryonic stem cells to maintain pluripotency. By understanding the regulatory circuitry controlling these cells, scientists can now develop strategies to coax them into specific cell types for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·DateSep 8, 2005

Formula against infertility

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding stem cells and their role in reproduction and the nervous system. Studies suggest that therapeutic cloning may become unnecessary once body cells can be re-programmed into stem cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·DateSep 8, 2005
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.

UCSD study of nuclear receptors could change anti-inflammatory treatments

Researchers identify how nuclear receptors work to suppress inflammatory responses, potentially leading to more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects. This discovery could lead to better therapeutic results in treating diseases such as arthritis and arteriosclerosis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell·DateSep 8, 2005

Researchers zero in on estrogen's role in breast-cancer cell growth

A study by University of Illinois researchers found that estrogen reduces levels of a crucial nuclear receptor corepressor, N-CoR, leading to increased breast cancer cell growth. The anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen can facilitate recovery of N-CoR, suggesting potential therapeutic implications for its use.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2005

New research into health of aboriginal kids

A new study aims to develop models of care that address socio-economic and environmental issues threatening the health of Aboriginal children. The research will investigate successful models of care in rural and remote areas, with a goal of establishing an evidence-base for future use.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005

Novel material may demonstrate long-sought 'liquid' magnetic state

Researchers find nickel gallium sulfide material exhibits disordered magnetic spin arrangement, characteristic of a liquid magnetic state. The team used neutron experiments to study the material's structure and properties, shedding light on its unique magnetic behavior.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 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.

JCI table of contents October 1, 2005

Researchers found that the fatty acid DHA decreases levels of Abeta peptides associated with Alzheimer disease and upregulates neuroprotectin D1, an endogenous messenger inhibiting apoptosis triggered by these peptides. Additionally, studies revealed beryllium-specific T cells determine immune responses in exposed workers and apoptosis...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 8, 2005

Research shows where brain interprets 'pitch'

Scientists identified single neurons in the brain's pitch center that recognize a middle-C as a middle-C even when played by two different instruments. This discovery solves an age-old mystery of auditory research and highlights the importance of pitch perception to humans, facilitating melodic patterns and emotional content of speech.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2005

Obesity in kids: New research funded in W.A.

Research Australia-funded project explores ways to tackle childhood obesity in Australia, focusing on parental involvement and early intervention. The study aims to identify effective models for reducing overweight and obesity in young children.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New microchip design could be the key to expanding mobile phone memory

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new microchip design that uses nanotechnology to store large amounts of data in small volumes. This technology has the potential to increase mobile phone memory capacity by 200 times, making it possible to record longer videos and store them without sacrificing storage space.

SourceImperial College London·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2005

Mayo Clinic develops new coma measurement system

The Mayo Clinic has developed a new coma measurement system called the FOUR Score, which quantifies the level of consciousness and severity of brain injury. The score, tested in 120 intensive care unit patients, provides more precise measurements and higher agreement between evaluators than the Glasgow Coma Scale.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateSep 8, 2005

Fatty acids – Good for the brain, good for Alzheimer disease

Research suggests that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can decrease levels of pathogenic Abeta peptides associated with Alzheimer's disease in human brain cells. The synthesis of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), an endogenous DHA-derived messenger, is also upregulated and inhibits apoptosis triggered by Abeta peptides.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 8, 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.

New research on closer health relationships

The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute has funded 12 projects to improve healthcare delivery, governance, and policy formulation. The projects aim to enhance the collaboration between hospitals, general practice, and community care organisations to provide better health outcomes for Australians.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005

New funding for health research in N.S.W.

The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) has funded 12 projects across NSW, focusing on primary care models, integration of care, and chronic disease management. The research aims to improve health care outcomes for Australians through collaborative efforts between researchers and policy makers.

SourceResearch Australia·DateSep 8, 2005

Closing in on quantum chemistry

Researchers develop quantum algorithm to calculate molecular energy states with high accuracy, overcoming challenges in quantum chemistry. By using a relatively small number of qubits, they demonstrate the potential of quantum computers to solve complex problems that are currently unsolvable by classical supercomputers.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 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.

NYU researchers discover mechanism linking color vision and cancer genes

Researchers from NYU Biology have discovered a mechanism linking color vision and cancer genes, indicating that genes involved in switching between photoreceptors may play an unexpected role in controlling cell proliferation. Understanding this regulation is essential for developing new cancer treatments.

SourceNew York University·JournalCell·DateSep 8, 2005

Cornell Web site will aid Gulf Coast recovery

A team from Cornell is surveying Mississippi coastal communities to gather information for a GIS database, which will be accessible online. The database will provide detailed maps of key buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, as well as social and demographic data.

SourceCornell University·DateSep 8, 2005

Scientists discover new way to look at how molecules twist and turn on water

Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a new method to determine the orientation of surfactant molecules on water, providing insight into their role in environmental challenges. The study, led by Geri Richmond, has broad implications for understanding how these molecules function in practical applications.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·DateSep 8, 2005
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UF scientist finds unexpected link between cat and human AIDS viruses

Researchers have discovered an unexpected connection between the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and HIV, which may lead to the development of a new HIV vaccine. FIV, also known as feline AIDS, has been used in animal studies to model human AIDS, but this study found that a core protein from HIV also protects cats against FIV.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalAIDS·DateSep 8, 2005

UCI neurobiologists uncover evidence of a 'memory code'

A new study by UCI neurobiologists suggests that the brain uses a unique coding system to store memories. When this code is used, information is stored in more brain cells, resulting in stronger memories. However, if the code is not used, memories may be weaker due to fewer neurons involved.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 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.

A new twist on power walking

Researchers have invented a backpack that converts mechanical energy from walking into electricity, generating up to 7.4 Watts of power. The Suspended-load Backpack can power various devices simultaneously, reducing the need for heavy replacement batteries.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2005

University of Chicago researchers find human brain still evolving

Two genes, microcephalin and ASPM, linked to brain size have continued to evolve rapidly in humans over the past 37,000 and 5,800 years, respectively. These genetic variants are favored by natural selection and occur more frequently in certain populations.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2005

Methane gyrations last 2,000 years show human influnece on atmosphere

Researchers found a significant drop in biomass burning methane emissions from 1500 to 1600 due to indigenous population decline in South and Central America. Methane levels have increased by nearly 300% since the Industrial Revolution, with human activities accounting for 60% of atmospheric emissions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 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.