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Science News for February 17, 2006


Let patients use their own terms to describe ethnicity

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that using open-ended questions to collect patient-reported data on ethnicity resulted in lower rates of missing values and unusable data compared to traditional closed-ended methods. This method also better captured the nuances of patients' self-identified ethnicities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

Drug use linked to brain hemmorhage in young adults

A recent study published by the University of South Florida has found that drug use is linked to an increased risk of brain hemorrhage in young adults. The study analyzed data from 307 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and found that cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines were common substances of abuse among those under 50.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·DateFeb 17, 2006

Warmer than a hot tub: Atlantic Ocean temperatures much higher in the past

A study published by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that ocean temperatures in the Atlantic region were significantly warmer in the past than current levels, with estimates ranging from 91°F to 107°F. This finding contradicts current climate models and suggests that future warming may be more extreme than predicted.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateFeb 17, 2006

Strokes in children need to be recognized quickly

A study by Dr. Rebecca Ichord found that delays in diagnosing stroke in children are common, and improved knowledge of stroke symptoms could lead to better outcomes. Strokes in children may be caused by underlying illnesses like sickle cell disease or whiplash injuries.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·DateFeb 17, 2006
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Local involvement in national lands management: Can it work nationwide?

Adaptive environmental management aims to integrate local community involvement in policy-making and assessment, a concept popular in Europe but only recently tested in the US. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico serves as a case study, examining strategies that have improved local acceptability and ecosystem health.

SourceMichigan State University·DateFeb 17, 2006

Protein level predicts who will develop deadly complication after marrow transplant

Researchers found that patients with elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels at seven days post-transplant were more likely to develop graft vs. host disease and had lower one-year survival rates. Elevated TNF levels were tied to a higher risk of this deadly complication, suggesting potential targets for prevention and treatment.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateFeb 17, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Professor Wright co-authors new ACM report on voter privacy

The new ACM report outlines best practices for managing voter registration databases to prevent hacking attacks, massive failures, severe privacy violations, and erosion of confidence. The guidelines aim to ensure the reliability and usability of voter databases by adopting transparent policies, setting clear accountabilities, establis...

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateFeb 17, 2006

Can science-based resource management work?

The Valles Caldera Trust employs science-based adaptive management to monitor natural resources and adjust management activities in response to changing conditions. This approach, pioneered by forest ecologist Thomas Swetnam, aims to improve the long-term sustainability of federal lands like national parks and forests.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateFeb 17, 2006

Grand challenges, national lab-style

Scientists from 20 institutions collaborate on three grand challenges to study membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. Early results show promising insights into environmental remediation, energy transfer, and natural processes.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateFeb 17, 2006

Anthrax spores may survive water treatment

Researchers found that anthrax spores can tolerate water treatment and attach to pipes, potentially allowing them to pass through the system. Higher chlorine concentrations were more effective in killing the spores, but at high levels could make water undrinkable.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk and causes liver damage

A recent study found that using anabolic steroids for performance can lead to serious health risks, including a significant increase in heart attack risk and liver damage. The research suggests that even healthy individuals may experience these adverse effects due to the toxic nature of the drugs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateFeb 17, 2006

Hooked on fishing, and we're heading for the bottom, says scientist

Dr. Pauly's research reveals that the world passed its peak fish in the late 1980s and has been gradually sinking since then. To prevent a collapse, he advocates for reducing excess fishing capacity, creating no-take zones, and enforcing sustainable fishing levels.

SourceNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council·DateFeb 17, 2006

New, expensive, widely-used drugs continue to cause liver problems, says Jefferson liver specialist

Liver injuries continue to plague the nation's drug development system, causing costly problems for pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Navarro proposes that patients speak with their physicians about their medications to detect liver injury early, as certain individuals are more likely to develop problems due to genetic makeup.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2006

Virtual playmates help real children with language

Researchers have developed virtual peers that can interact with children, helping them develop language and literacy skills. The virtual playmates engage in collaborative storytelling and are capable of adapting to individual children's needs.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

Bringing the zoos to the zebras

A collaboration between Princeton University and the Saint Louis Zoo is bringing effective conservation of Grevy's zebras within reach for Samburu pastoral cooperatives, led by Dr. Daniel Rubenstein.

SourceEarthwatch Institute·DateFeb 17, 2006

Progeria progress: Studies show how mutant protein hurts hearts

Researchers have identified a mutant protein as a key culprit molecule in causing heart disease, including atherosclerosis, which is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. The study also sheds light on the progression of progeria, a rare genetic condition that accelerates aging in children.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2006

Pregnancy, not high-risk behavior, predictor of STD testing among newly homeless youth

A new study published in AIDS and Behavior found that pregnancy, rather than high-risk behavior, was the primary predictor of STD testing among newly homeless youth. The study, conducted at UCLA, surveyed 261 homeless youth aged 12-20 and found a 32% STD rate among those who had received an STD test in the past three months.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAIDS and Behavior·DateFeb 17, 2006

Former smoker-led intervention program helps women quit

A six-week program combining a nicotine patch and group support significantly increased the chances of women in public housing quitting smoking. The study found nearly 50% of women in the treatment group quit smoking by the end of the program, compared to less than 8% in the comparison group.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

New theory resolves mystery of anomalous cosmic rays

A new theory published in Geophysical Research Letters explains the energization of anomalous cosmic rays by including a realistic termination shock shape. The model shows that particles are accelerated on the flanks of the termination shock, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceBoston University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 17, 2006

Determining curriculum effectiveness

A committee presented a framework for evaluating mathematics curricula, suggesting that both comparative study and content analysis are necessary. Despite methodological weaknesses in existing studies, the committee recommends an integrated judgment involving values, theory, and empirical evidence to determine curriculum effectiveness.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateFeb 17, 2006

Lower doses of clot-busting drug safer for stroke patients

A new study suggests that lower doses of the clot-busting drug tPA can effectively treat intracerebral hemorrhage without increasing bleeding risks, with mortality rates dropping to 13 percent in some cases. The findings are promising for patients who suffer from this type of stroke, which affects over 100,000 Americans annually.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2006

Princeton professor foresees computer science revolution

Computer science has a profound impact on various scientific fields, including biology and physics. Chazelle emphasizes the importance of understanding algorithms in capturing complex realities, rather than traditional mathematical formulas.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalMath Horizons·DateFeb 17, 2006
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

High school AP courses do not predict college success in science

A Harvard University study found that high school AP courses do not contribute substantially to student success in college. Mathematical fluency is the single best predictor of college performance in biology, chemistry, and physics, with depth over breadth coursework performing better in college courses.

SourceHarvard University·DateFeb 17, 2006

Humans making wildlife sick

Researchers used mathematical modeling tools to document the spread of sea lice from commercial salmon farms to wild Pacific salmon. The study found that a single farm could lead to a massive increase in parasite load, affecting the health of young fish.

SourceNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

Born with a love of speech

Researchers found that newborns (10-72 hours old) prefer speech over nonsensical words in a study led by Dr. Athena Vouloumanos. The infants showed increased sucking behavior when hearing human speech compared to speech-like analogues, suggesting an experience-independent component to their preference for speech.

SourceNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council·DateFeb 17, 2006

Too much sugar not good for coral reefs

Research by Kline at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that high levels of sugar in seawater can kill corals by encouraging bacterial growth. This discovery underscores the need to consider the impact of carbon compounds on coral reefs when developing conservation efforts.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·DateFeb 17, 2006

USC computer engine orchestrates character gestures

A USC-developed system module called Social Puppet automates non-verbal expressions of mood and attention in game characters, mirroring human communication. This technology has implications for language learning and cultural understanding, as it helps simulate spontaneous non-verbal cues.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

Doctors develop new measures for bone disease

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a guide for doctors to assess height loss and determine if it's related to vertebral fractures or osteoporosis. The guidelines suggest prescribing X-rays for patients who lose six centimeters in height, as this is associated with a 60% chance of vertebral fractures.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.

Vinegar increases killing power of bleach

Researchers found that acidifying bleach with vinegar significantly improves its ability to kill bacterial spores. The study compared the effectiveness of alkaline and acidified bleach dilutions in disinfecting surfaces contaminated with dried Bacillus anthracis spores, finding that acidified bleach was virtually effective.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateFeb 17, 2006

Mechanism for memory revealed in neurons of electric fish

A team of scientists found that electric fish can store memories through the activation of ion channels called TRP channels, which remain active for a long time. This discovery could help researchers better understand memory formation and neural disorders like epilepsy in humans.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 17, 2006

Michigan State research sheds new light on health dangers of nanoparticles

Research by Michigan State University reveals that combustion-derived nanoparticles can cause nasal airway inflammation, rhinitis, and epithelial cell injury. The study's findings suggest that the nose is a potential target organ for nanoparticle toxicity, highlighting the need for better occupational and environmental exposure limits.

SourceMichigan State University·DateFeb 17, 2006
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.