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Science News Archive February 2006


Page 13 of 15

Drug resistance may travel same path as quorum sensing

Researchers discovered that bacteria can export molecules similar to communication signals, blocking the effectiveness of drugs. This process, called quorum sensing, allows bacteria to evade treatment and develop resistance to multiple drugs, making infections harder to treat.

Transistor laser functions as non-linear electronic switch, processor

Researchers at University of Illinois create transistor laser that combines functionality of transistor and laser, enabling new signal mixing and switching capabilities. The device shows promise for replacing wiring with optical interconnects in electronic-photonic integrated circuits.

Ames Laboratory innovation key to a 'lead-free' Europe

The European Union's ban on lead in electronic appliances has led to the widespread adoption of Ames Laboratory's lead-free solder, which was patented in 1996. The solder blend of tin-silver-copper alloy offers a lower melting temperature and greater strength than other alternatives.

Study supports limiting television time for children

A study by Dr. Elizabeth Vandewater and colleagues found that increased TV time negatively affects children's interaction with parents, siblings, and creative play. Children under two should not watch TV, while older kids should limit daily viewing to two hours.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Older adults more vulnerable to distraction from irrelevant information

A study by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care found that older adults are more easily distracted due to gradual brain changes beginning in middle age. The researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of three age groups, including young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults, revealing a seesaw imbalance in frontal lobe areas.

HIV subtype predicts likelihood of early death from AIDS

A study found that HIV subtype D is associated with a higher risk of early death from AIDS compared to subtype A. The researchers analyzed data from over 300 newly infected individuals in Uganda and found that those infected with subtype D had a significantly shorter average survival time.

New brain hormone puts brakes on reproduction

Researchers discovered a new brain hormone GnIH that directly inhibits the action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), stimulating the reproductive system. This finding suggests that GnIH plays a similar role in humans and other mammals, offering potential new treatments for infertility and precocious puberty.

Journal article validates the coming of age of hair replacement surgery

A study by Dr. Harris has shown promising results for the SAFE System, a hair replacement surgery that reduces trauma and increases accessibility for African-American and elderly patients. The procedure also boasts virtually pain-free surgery, faster recovery time, and increased efficiency for physicians.

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.

Long-term poverty affects mental health of children

A recent study found that long-term poverty is associated with increased antisocial behavior in children, which can last a lifetime. However, the opposite effect is observed for depression, where childhood poverty leads to decreased symptoms as income levels improve.

Flights reveal intriguing information about ice particles in clouds

High-resolution images of ice crystals provide detailed information about ice clouds, including particle size and shape, which influence the longevity of the cloud. The Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment, led by the ARM Program, combines aircraft and surface data to better understand cirrus structure in the tropics.

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.

Medical centers vary in disclosing conflicts of interest

Researchers found that academic medical centers have varying approaches to disclosing conflicts of interest to potential research participants. While some institutions focus on avoiding legal liability, others aim to provide more detailed information about the nature and implications of financial relationships.

Chance, music, and the ear of the beholder

A team of scientists found that individual neurons in the auditory cortex respond more strongly to stimuli conforming to the 1/f rule than to others. This selective sensitivity leads to a more accurate representation of natural sounds within the brain.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Antarctic krill provide carbon sink in Southern Ocean

Scientists discovered that Antarctic krill 'parachute' several times during the night, injecting more carbon into the deep sea than previously understood. Krill feed on phytoplankton at night and excrete waste at depth, making them a key player in removing carbon from the atmosphere.

New 'Lemurs of Madagascar' book released

The new book provides comprehensive information on lemurs, including detailed photos and illustrations, to help identify the 71 species found in Madagascar. Conservation International's updated guide highlights the critical need to protect lemurs due to deforestation and habitat destruction.

Historic records shed light on soldiers' lifelong war scars

Researchers analyzed over 15,000 Union veterans' records, finding a strong link between war experiences and increased signs of cardiac, gastrointestinal, and nervous disease. Youngest soldiers who witnessed the bloodiest combat had shorter life spans, despite surviving the war.

More training needed to ensure accuracy of urine drug tests

A survey of primary care physicians found that only 23% used effective urine sample collection methods, while 40% were unsure about poppy seeds causing positive opioid test results. Misinterpretation of false-positive findings can lead to false accusations and diminished trust among parents, schools, and counselors.

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.

UF scientists trace origin of shark's electric sense

Researchers at UF identified neural crest cells as the source of sharks' electrical ESP, a previously unknown function. This discovery fortifies the idea that early ancestors may have had the ability to detect electric fields.

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.

Elsevier launches High Energy Density Physics

High Energy Density Physics is a new journal launched by Elsevier to publish research on extreme conditions, including planetary interiors and astrophysical phenomena. The journal aims to provide a platform for scientists to study material properties and hydrodynamics under high-energy density regimes.

Scientists find ability for grammar hardwired into humans

Researchers found that deaf Nicaraguan boys developed complex grammatical components and used them in the same way as highly evolved languages. This suggests that the concept of 'subject' is an innate tendency in humans, existing before linguistic input or exposure to other language speakers.

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.

Fruit fly reveals a potential connection between dementia and cancer

Researchers used a fruit-fly model of Alzheimer's disease to examine the relationship between cell-division proteins and neurodegeneration. They found that abnormal expression of these proteins accompanied neuronal death in their fly model, which was prevented by blocking the cell cycle or feeding anticancer drugs.

Periodontitis is associated with pregnancy complications

Chronic periodontitis and certain bacteria are linked to preeclampsia in pregnant women. Periodontal infection may increase the risk of preterm birth due to its association with cardiovascular disease. The study's findings suggest that pregnancy-associated gingivitis is preventable and easy to treat.

Methadone therapy - one dose does not fit all

A new study found that effective methadone doses vary widely among patients, with some achieving abstinence on as little as 1.5 mg and others requiring up to 191.2 mg. Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, or a history of previous detoxifications from heroin tend to require higher doses.

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.

March of Dimes commits additional $2.4 million to prematurity research

The March of Dimes has awarded $2.4 million in grants to six innovative scientists working on new ways to identify women at increased risk for premature birth and understand the role of inflammation and progesterone in triggering labor. The goal is to prevent premature births, which are the leading cause of newborn death in the US.

'Freshman Fifteen' is a myth, but weight gain is still a problem

A Rutgers University study found that college students experience average weight gain of seven pounds during their first year, primarily resulting from consuming excess calories. The researchers recommend adopting a balanced diet and increasing exercise to prevent weight gain and associated health risks.

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.

Thousands of barges could save Europe from deep freeze

Researchers propose using over 8,000 barges to pump saltwater onto ice sheets in the North Atlantic, creating a thicker sea ice layer that could help strengthen the down-welling current. This method aims to reduce the impact of global warming on northern Europe's climate.

Course of bipolar disorder in youths described for the first time

Researchers assessed 263 children and adolescents with bipolar spectrum disorders, finding that symptoms were longer-lasting and more variable in youth than adults. The study also revealed faster cycling between symptomatic periods and a higher likelihood of diagnosis changes over time.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Feb. 7, 2006

A new clinical prediction rule for estimating the probability of PE significantly reduces adverse outcomes by identifying patients at low or high risk. The revised Geneva score provides a standardized, easy-to-compute tool for diagnosing and managing PE.

Citizen consumers? Using public services is not like shopping

Research by Professor John Clarke found that public service users and providers view services as distinct from market-based transactions, prioritizing personal relationships over choice. Users seek skilled, trustworthy staff and reliable assistance during critical life events.

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.

New faster screening test for MRSA

A new screening method, qMRSA, was tested on 1,053 patients in Geneva University Hospital. The study found that qMRSA significantly reduced the time to get MRSA test results from 87 hours to 21 hours, and isolated infected patients immediately after detection, which substantially decreased MRSA infections in the medical ICU.

Groovy protein essential for promoting cancer development

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have identified a crucial protein domain in telomerase, an enzyme that contributes to cancer growth. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanism of cancer development and may lead to the development of targeted therapies.

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.

Pitt professor's article considers nature as a service provider

A Pitt professor proposes using an ecological management system to evaluate nature's economic value, bridging economics and ecology. The approach considers ecosystem services like storm damage reduction and wetland maintenance, highlighting the gap between market and social values.

Novel diagnosis of preeclampsia with proteomic analysis

Researchers at Yale University have developed a novel proteomic analysis method to diagnose and monitor preeclampsia. The study identified specific fragments of albumin and serpina-1 as characteristic biomarkers for the condition.

WOWing the crowds

Researchers develop a new system called WOW, which uses microscopic droplets to perform millions of tests at once, allowing for faster identification of genes and proteins. The system can identify the best enzyme from a pool of mutated enzymes in just one afternoon, compared to several months with traditional methods.

Lung cancer survival rates may be linked to access to care

A recent study suggests that lung cancer survival rates may be tied to access to standard cancer care, rather than racial disparities. Researchers analyzed data from 995 patients with advanced small cell lung cancer and found that equal treatment yielded the same outcomes for black and non-black patients, regardless of stage or ethnicity.

Memory problems at menopause: Nothing to forget about

A study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers found no evidence of strictly memory problems in middle-aged women, but a correlation between forgetfulness and learning difficulties. The team suggests that stress, anxiety, and mood distress may contribute to perceived memory issues.

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.

ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics presentation available online

The ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics conference aims to improve research and clinical care in areas of ophthalmology related to preventable vision loss and blindness. The meeting will explore topics such as angiogenesis, neovascularization, and vasoproliferation.

High-tech sieve sifts for hydrogen

Engineers have developed a simpler and safer material that can separate hydrogen from impurities more efficiently than existing methods. The new material, similar to membranes in biomedical devices, has applications for isolating hydrogen and natural gas.

Spyware poses a significant threat on the Net

A new study by University of Washington researchers found that more than one in 20 executable files contain piggybacked spyware, with game and celebrity sites posing the greatest risk. Drive-by download attacks also frequent pirated software sites. The density of spyware decreased from spring to fall last year but remained substantial.

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.

Detection of hot halo gets theory out of hot water

Astronomers detect a vast hot halo extending over 60,000 light years around the massive spiral galaxy NGC 5746. This discovery resolves a long-standing issue in galaxy formation theory, suggesting that large spiral galaxies should be immersed in halos of hot gas left over from the galaxy formation process.