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Science News for January 24, 2006


NJIT mathematician receives noted math prize

A renowned NJIT mathematician has been awarded the prestigious Steele Prize for his groundbreaking work on the Korteweg-de-Vries equation, a problem that had stumped mathematicians for decades. The award is a testament to Miura's innovative approach and contributions to the field of mathematics.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·DateJan 24, 2006

2005 was the warmest year in a century

The year 2005 may have been the warmest year in a century, with global temperatures returning to levels seen in 1998. The Earth has warmed by 0.6° C or 1.08° F over the past 30 years and 0.8° C or 1.44° F over the past 100 years.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 24, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

HIV prevention hope: Yogurt bugs that make antiviral drugs

Scientists have successfully engineered lactic acid bacteria to produce a viricide that disables HIV, paving the way for potential use as a microbicide. The genetically modified bacteria will be tested in monkeys this summer, with human trials planned for three years.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateJan 24, 2006

Common bacteria pirate natural mechanism to get inside cells

Researchers have found that common bacteria can exploit a natural mechanism to get inside cells, using receptors and nitric oxide to evade the immune system. By controlling dynamin activity through inhibition of nitric oxide synthases, new methods to prevent infections may be developed.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2006

Professor to explore global emergence of engineering

The project 'Engineers and the Metrics of Progress' maps engineering education in reverse chronology, tracing how engineers have responded to various ideas of progress. By analyzing these responses, researchers aim to demonstrate engineers' key role in promoting national identity worldwide.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateJan 24, 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.

Livermore researchers shed light on physical properties of carbon

Researchers from Livermore have determined the phase boundaries for carbon at pressures up to 20 million atmospheres and temperatures over 10,000 degrees Kelvin. The study provides results on the physical properties of carbon, essential for devising models of Neptune, Uranus, and white dwarf stars.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2006

Fitness counteracts cognitive decline from hormone-replacement therapy

A new study reveals that high fitness levels can enhance the effects of short-term hormone treatment and offset declines associated with long-term use. Researchers analyzed brain tissue volume in 54 postmenopausal women and found a significant association between higher fitness levels and greater tissue volume in key areas.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateJan 24, 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.

Breakthrough in brain injury study at University of Leicester

Researchers at the University of Leicester have made a breakthrough in understanding the cause of brain damage and its link to various neurological diseases. The study identified glutamate receptors as the culprit behind oligodendrocyte damage, paving the way for potential treatments to block these receptors and prevent injury.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·DateJan 24, 2006

Duck-billed dino crests not linked to sense of smell

A University of Toronto study has ruled out the theory that duck-billed dinosaurs' crests were linked to their sense of smell. The research, led by David Evans, found that the brain changed little from non-crested dinosaur ancestors, suggesting the crests may have been used for visual display or attracting mates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPaleobiology·DateJan 24, 2006

Treatment of Down syndrome in mice restores nerve growth in cerebellum

Researchers have successfully treated Down syndrome in mice by restoring nerve growth in the cerebellum, a key brain region affected by the condition. The treatment, which stimulates the Hedgehog pathway, restored normal cell division rates and numbers in granule cell precursors.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2006

Children's peer relationships have enormous influence

A new book by Arizona State University professor Gary Ladd explores the impact of children's peer relationships on their social competence, health, and development. The book reveals that many children face challenges in forming friendships and navigating peer groups, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

SourceArizona State University·DateJan 24, 2006

Less than half of US healthcare workers get flu shots

A UCLA/Harvard study reveals that less than half of US healthcare workers receive flu shots, with lower rates among African American and younger workers. This low vaccination rate increases the likelihood of flu transmission to patients, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns to improve outreach and vaccination rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 24, 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.

Study: Newer antibiotic more effective at treating elders' pneumonia

A study led by Dr. Antonio Anzueto found that the newer medication moxifloxacin HCI is more effective at treating community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in elderly patients, with a recovery rate of 97.9%, compared to 90% for the standard medication levofloxacin. The study also assessed cardiac safety and found both treatments to be safe.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 24, 2006

Daughters of alcoholics

Daughters of alcoholics exhibit distinct risk factors, with behavioral undercontrol being a strong mediator for both genders. Gender-specific differences are observed in behavior and the impact of parental alcoholism history, particularly for women.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateJan 24, 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.

Clawed frog helps Fanconi anemia research make leaps

Scientists have developed a new method to study Fanconi anemia proteins using Xenopus eggs, allowing them to study the proteins' function in DNA replication and repair. The research found that Fanconi proteins play a crucial role in preventing DNA breaks during replication, even if the DNA is damaged.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateJan 24, 2006

Influenza pandemic will pose tough choices for use of mechanical ventilation

A proposal has been developed by Drs. John L. Hick and Daniel T. O'Laughlin to set guidelines for triage of mechanical ventilators in a pandemic or bioterrorist attack. The guidelines aim to ensure equal allocation of scarce resources to patients most likely to benefit from them, promoting distributive justice.

SourceElsevier·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJan 24, 2006

Diabetes complications rooted in faulty cell repair

A study by UF researchers reveals that diabetic patients' cells have difficulty repairing damaged blood vessels due to low nitric oxide levels. The team found a way to improve the cells' movement and repair ability using nitric oxide, opening up possibilities for new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalDiabetes·DateJan 24, 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.

Emory study lights up the political brain

A recent Emory University study used fMRI to investigate how Democrats and Republicans process information during the 2004 US Presidential election. The researchers found that emotional circuits in the brain lit up when partisans held biased opinions, rather than rational reasoning.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·DateJan 24, 2006

A new way to help computers recognize patterns

A new test developed by Ohio State University researchers helps identify the best algorithms for specific applications, reducing errors and improving results. The test rates algorithms on a scale from zero to one, providing a quick way to determine which methods are most effective.

SourceOhio State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateJan 24, 2006
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.

Bird flu poses threat to international security, Illinois scholar says

A University of Illinois scholar warns that avian influenza poses a significant threat to international security, citing the potential for human-to-human transmission and widespread economic disruption. The expert emphasizes the need for global coordination and increased surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalDefense and Security Analysis·DateJan 24, 2006

Pair of studies offer new clues to combat antibiotic resistance

Researchers genetically engineered E. coli to lack its outer protective layer, making it more vulnerable to antibiotics. Synthetic versions of natural substrates for gram-positive bacteria's membrane formation are also being developed, potentially leading to new antibiotic designs.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateJan 24, 2006