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Science News Archive 2006


Page 124 of 178

New video-conferencing method cheaper, more sophisticated, developers say

TEEVE enables cost-effective cyberspace communication with full-body size views, suitable for training, entertainment, and healthcare applications. Researchers have tested the technology with dancers, achieving exciting results, and plan to expand its use in education, remote healthcare, and elderly care.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New tool taps drool for clues to childhood stress

A new study uses a salivary test to measure alpha amylase levels in children, finding that social relationships with mothers and teachers influence stress responses. The findings suggest that individual differences in alpha amylase levels can be linked to social problems, aggressive behavior, and cognitive/academic difficulties.

JK Rowling and the MS Society Scotland fund a new MS Research Centre

A new MS Research Centre will be established at the University of Edinburgh to develop therapies for Multiple Sclerosis using latest techniques and investigate repairing damaged nervous system parts. The centre aims to unlock MS mysteries and potentially lead to a cure, with £2.5m funding from JK Rowling and MS Society Scotland.

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.

On a fly's wing, scientists tally evolution's winners and losses

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveal how evolution occurs at a fine level of detail, explaining molecular mechanisms behind animal adaptations. They show how fruit fly wing spots, which are driven by female preferences, can be gained and lost independently in different species.,

Why nerve cells work faster than the theory allows

Researchers discovered a new mechanism in nerve cells that enables them to filter and transfer signals rapidly, contrary to the traditional Hodgkin-Huxley model. This allows for high precision in transmitting fast-changing signals while ignoring slowly varying stimuli.

'Word-vision' brain area confirmed

Researchers confirm ventral word-form area's causal role in recognizing words by studying a patient whose surgery disrupted the region. The patient showed impaired reading skills but retained object recognition and naming abilities.

Gender equality leads to better sex lives among people 40 and over

A global study of over 27,500 adults aged 40-80 found that greater gender equality leads to improved sexual satisfaction. The research, led by the University of Chicago, compared sex lives across 29 countries and discovered that countries with more equal partnerships reported higher rates of sexual pleasure.

Hypnotherapy helps relieve chest pain

A controlled trial found that hypnotherapy significantly improved sense of overall wellbeing and reduced painkiller use, while supportive therapy had no effect. Brain scans show that hypnotherapy affects the brain's processing of painful stimuli.

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.

Salk research challenges concept that motion perception is all black and white

A new study by Salk researchers reveals a previously unknown connection between the neural pathways responsible for color and fine detail perception and those involved in motion processing. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that sensory information about color is relatively unimportant for detecting moving objects.

Watching the brain switch off 'self'

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study brain activity during sensory processing and introspection. They found that sensory processing activated the sensory cortex, while introspection activated the prefrontal cortex, which was silenced during intense sensory engagement.

Front-line immune cells mature in four stages, study shows

Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center identified the four stages of natural killer cell maturation in secondary lymphoid tissue, such as tonsils and lymph glands. This discovery could lead to new therapies for cancer, infection, and immune deficiencies, advancing our understanding of the human immune system.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study highlights gaps in Europe's preparedness plans for pandemic influenza

A study evaluated European countries' preparedness plans against WHO's checklist, finding that surveillance planning was good but maintenance of essential services, putting plans into practice, and public-health interventions were less well prepared. The implementation of these interventions was unclear in many plans.

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.

Scientists reveal how a novel ceramic achieves directional conduction

A novel ceramic oxide of manganese has been found to function as a self-assembled layered integrated circuit, conducting electricity only in certain directions. This opens up the possibility of constructing thin metal layers insulated from other layers, enabling more efficient and powerful devices.

Mapping dynamic Polycomb group proteins during Drosophila development

Researchers mapped dynamic Polycomb group protein PC and PH across various developmental stages in Drosophila. The study reveals the proteins' diverse binding locations, implying different gene silencing mechanisms. Further analysis is needed to understand their role in development and conservation across species.

Researchers discover a new genetic cause of Alzheimer's disease

A new genetic cause of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered, with increased amyloid precursor protein expression being a significant risk factor. The study found that genetic variations in the promoter region can increase gene expression and contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

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.

Mouse to man: The story of chromosomes

The study of mouse chromosome 11 provides a clearer picture of how the human genome evolves through rearrangements and DNA repeats. Chromosome 17, rich in disease genes, offers insights into the impact of genome changes on human health.

Study shows gene candidates for predisposition

Researchers have identified 20 candidate genes that regulate alcohol preference, shedding light on the genetic factors underlying excessive drinking. The study suggests that differences in brain function and homeostasis may contribute to an individual's reaction to alcohol.

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.

Hantavirus found in African wood mouse

A team of scientists has discovered a new hantavirus in an African wood mouse, which is related to viruses causing severe disease in humans in Central and Eastern Europe. The virus was found to have similarities with other hantaviruses, including the Dobrava virus, and can infect humans, according to preliminary evidence.

Mediterranean diet lowers Alzheimer's risk in American cohort

A prospective community-based study of 2,258 non-demented people found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The association remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounders.

Breast implants not associated with cancer risk, study reports

A nationwide cohort of 3486 Swedish women who underwent cosmetic surgery for breast implants between 1965 and 1993 were followed until the end of 2002. The study found that women with implants had a reduced incidence of breast cancer and an increased incidence of lung cancer compared to the general population.

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.

Forearm supports reduce upper body pain linked to computer use

A recent study found that using forearm supports can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain as well as hand, wrist, and forearm pain. The study also showed that arm boards and ergonomics training provide the most protective effect against musculoskeletal disorders.

Picking the best parent for your chicks

A 10-year study of wild finches reveals that female birds choose mates based on genetic diversity, not flashy traits. This helps explain why elaborate ornaments evolve despite potential inbreeding risks.

Education level linked with presence of coronary artery calcium deposits

A study of 2913 young adults found that those with lower educational levels had a four-fold higher prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) deposits, compared to those with higher levels. The researchers suggest that early life preventive measures are needed to address social and economic disparities in health.

Well-informed citizens consider CO2 storage to be acceptable

Dutch citizens rated various energy technologies with CO2 storage as having consequences between 6.0 and 6.5, indicating acceptance. Informed opinions were more stable than uninformed ones, which were deemed 'pseudo opinions' that don't reflect public acceptance.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Analysis highlights areas for research into genetic causes of alcoholism

A multi-site research team identified nearly 4,000 differentially regulated genes in mice with varying levels of alcohol consumption. The analysis revealed new candidate genes for further study, including some previously unknown, and provided valuable insights into the genetics of predisposition to drink alcohol.

Prostate cancer research may be faster with PSA endpoints

A study analyzing 551 men with prostate cancer found that a 30% decline in serum PSA levels within three months of treatment can reduce the risk of death by at least 50%. The researchers suggest that PSAs could be used as reliable endpoint measures for prostate cancer treatment efficacy.

Medical jargon is not unequivocal

The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research has developed medical jargon reduction methods, enabling hospital departments to evaluate the quality of terminology systems. By using standardized terms, data can be more easily accessed and used for improving patient care and epidemiological research.

From urban mist to social body

Researchers investigated the growth of urban communities in northern Netherlands between 1350 and 1650, analyzing factors driving urban 'mists' and cultural industry development. The studies also explored the emergence of new towns as instruments for politics, economics, and culture in late Middle Ages.

Other highlights in the April 19 JNCI

Researchers found that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers experience a similar reduction in breast cancer risk with increasing number of pregnancies carried to full-term, parallel to that in the general population. Additionally, they discovered that first childbirth at age 20 years or older is associated with increased risk of breast ca...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting scientific highlights

Researchers explore risk factors for dementia, including the Mediterranean diet and obesity, as well as novel treatments for Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Experimental therapies also show promise in treating ALS and stroke, with potential applications in other neurodegenerative diseases.

The mood of the Internet

MoodViews uses language technology to predict global mood, analyzing millions of blogger messages daily, with potential applications in marketing, psychology, and journalism.

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.

Rice study: 'Nanostars' could be ultra-sensitive chemical sensors

Researchers at Rice University have created nanoparticles called nanostars, which exhibit strong spectral signals and can be used to discern the three-dimensional orientation of molecules. This discovery has significant potential for 3D molecular sensing applications.

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.

Researchers reveal lung's unique innate immune system

The lung has a unique innate immune system, protected by alveolar macrophages that are repressed in steady state, activated when needed, and then re-repressed. This complex circuit allows for brief activation periods to fight invading microorganisms.

Cuttlefish masters of disguise despite colorblindness

Researchers found cuttlefish can detect contrast differences of at least 15%, suggesting they use intensity matching for camouflage. The study's findings shed light on the complex visual processing of these cephalopods, an ideal model for studying camouflage.

Are you getting your money's worth in health care?

A new study finds that health care spending generates significant health benefits, with a return on investment of $1.55 to $1.94 for every dollar spent. The research demonstrates the value of estimating the impact of health care investments and challenges policymakers to consider cost-effectiveness in their decision-making.

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.

Studies evaluate health effects of dental amalgam in children

Researchers conducted two large studies on children with dental amalgam fillings and found no adverse health effects. Despite initial concerns about mercury poisoning, the studies concluded that children exposed to amalgam had low levels of mercury in their urine and no measurable signs of damage to the brain or kidneys.