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Science News Archive March 2006


Page 10 of 18

Salmonella caught red-handed

Researchers identify key proteins in Salmonella metabolic paths, finding that blocking certain enzymes may not be effective against the bacteria. Only a few essential enzymes are necessary to keep Salmonella alive, and these are also present in other pathogens or human organisms.

A new view of asthma's cause

A recent study published in PNAS found that at least two-thirds of asthma patients' pulmonary T cells are actually NKT cells, not conventional Th2 cells. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments targeting NKT cells.

Eclipsing brown dwarfs provide new key to the star formation process

Astronomers have discovered an eclipsing pair of brown dwarfs in the Orion Nebula, providing the first direct measurement of their mass, size, and surface temperature. This discovery sheds light on the dynamic processes that produce stars and helps estimate the masses of faint objects.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Prediction of a prokaryotic RNA-silencing system

Researchers identified a number of cas genes associated with CRISPR clusters, potentially involved in RNA-processing mechanisms. They propose that all CRISPR inserts are derived from viruses or plasmids, transcribed and silenced via Cas proteins.

New 'stars' in formation of nerve cell insulation

Researchers discovered that astrocytes promote myelination by releasing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in response to electrical impulses. This finding may lead to new treatments for demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Research team identifies cause of memory loss

A research team at Johns Hopkins University has identified a protein complex in the brain that causes cognitive decline and memory loss, providing a potential target for drug development. This discovery may help prevent Alzheimer's disease, which affects millions of Americans.

Ultracold atoms produce long-sought quantum mix

Physicists have observed an elusive quantum state where fermions with mismatched numbers of dance partners exhibit unbalanced superfluid behavior. This finding has opened new avenues for investigation, particularly in the context of exotic matter found in Quark Stars.

University of Queensland researchers win four Rotary grants

Researchers at the University of Queensland have received four significant grants from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, totaling over $128,000. The grants will support studies on parenting programs designed for families with autistic children and female teachers who are also mothers.

Other highlights in the March 15 JNCI

A new study suggests that high dietary folate intake may be associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. The research followed over 81,000 men and women for an average of 6.8 years and observed 135 cases of pancreatic cancer during this time. Men and women with higher folate intakes had lower incidence rates of the disease comp...

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.

Plant cells 'black out' when eaten by leafworms

When plant tissue is eaten by insects, it causes a decrease in electric voltage, leading to a decrease in the cell's ability to react. The study found that calcium ion concentration in attacked leaves was smaller than in mechanically wounded leaves, potentially reducing the plant's defense.

Strength of cocaine cravings linked to brain response

A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that cocaine cravings are linked to brain response, particularly in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Stronger addictions show altered sensitivity to dopamine receptors D1 and D2, which can help understand addiction mechanisms.

Doctors in training improve skills via virtual patient

A study at Temple University School of Medicine found that medical residents improved their ability to identify abnormal heart sounds by up to 69% with the use of electronic stethoscopes. Researchers used these devices to play back recorded heart sounds repeatedly, allowing residents to practice and improve their skills.

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.

Record-breaking detector may aid nuclear inspections

Scientists at NIST have developed a highly accurate gamma ray detector, capable of pinpointing emissions signatures of specific atoms with 10 times the precision of conventional sensors. This technology may aid in verifying inventories of nuclear materials and detecting radioactive contamination in the environment.

Researchers develop foundation for circuitry and devices based on graphite

Graphene, a material that gives pencils their marking ability, has been used to produce proof-of-principle transistors, loop devices, and circuitry. The researchers hope to use graphene layers as the basis for revolutionary electronic systems that would manipulate electrons as waves rather than particles.

Newly discovered small molecules

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered small molecule activators of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which could minimize dosage and reduce resistance. The findings hold promise for increasing the clinical efficacy of BoNT, a toxin with a range of therapeutic uses.

Researchers link human papillomavirus (HPV) to common skin cancer

A study found an association between HPV antibodies and squamous cell carcinoma risk, with patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma more frequently testing positive for beta type HPVs. Lifestyle habits, such as sun exposure and smoking, were not significantly linked to skin cancer development.

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.

Early treatment with blood pressure meds may reduce hypertension

The Trial of Preventing Hypertension study found that early treatment with candesartan reduced the risk of developing hypertension in patients with high normal blood pressure. The study showed a significant benefit from preventive therapy, but lifestyle modification had little effect on public health.

Study links 'smog' to Arctic warming

A NASA study found that ozone pollution, a significant contributor to global air pollution, played a substantial role in warming the Arctic during winter and spring. Ozone was responsible for one-third to half of the observed warming trend in the region, with its impact being most pronounced near sources of emissions.

Janus particles offer new physics, new technology

Researchers have created Janus particles with dissimilar sides, enabling the measurement of rotational dynamics and creation of microsensors. These particles can be used to study Brownian motion and manipulate particles using electrical fields and magnetic fields.

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.

Impact of fondaparinux tested on most serious heart attacks

The OASIS-6 trial evaluated fondaparinux's safety and effectiveness in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Fondaparinux prevents amplification of the coagulation system, potentially reducing death risk from heart attacks.

Study finds shifts in treatment trends prior to publication of study results

The study found that the percentage of women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy who received taxanes such as paclitaxel increased more than sevenfold after early 1998, with rates rising in both node-positive and node-negative breast cancer. The authors suggest that publicity at ASCO and media coverage contributed to this shift.

Web site shows search censorship in different countries

A new web site compares search results of Google and Yahoo across four countries, highlighting the differences between Western and Eastern censored versions. The research project CenSEARCHip reveals starkly different outcomes for political topics like human rights and democracy.

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.

Researchers simulate complete structure of virus -- on a computer

Biologists have completed the first computer simulation of an entire life form, a virus, to study its dynamics and mechanistic properties. The simulations provided crucial information on the virus's assembly and could contribute to improvements in public health and the creation of artificial nanomachines.

OHSU study aims to halt Alzheimer's by blocking enzyme

Researchers are testing LY450139, a gamma secretase inhibitor, to prevent amyloid plaque build-up and stop Alzheimer's disease progression. The study aims to determine the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosage of the drug in 45 participants.

Cutting-edge procedures cut costs, time associated with cardiac episodes

Researchers found Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA) quickly and accurately ruled out coronary artery disease in 67% of cases, reducing hospital stay by 45% and saving $300 per patient. Advanced care paramedics also improved STEMI heart attack management, reducing mortality rates from 9% to less than 2%.

Women and children are the first hurt by welfare reform

This study examines the impact of welfare reform on single, low-income mothers and their children. The results show that the percentage of women without health coverage was higher in the never-married group, but the gap increased after TANF implementation, exacerbating the problem.

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.

Gold nanorods may make safer cancer treatment

Researchers have found a safer and more effective way to detect and kill cancer cells using gold nanorods. The new method allows for deeper penetrating noninvasive cancer treatment without harming healthy cells, making it a promising approach for treating breast cancer.

'Yanking' chemical bonds with molecular wires speeds reactions

Researchers used atomic force microscopes to 'yank' chemical bonds, accelerating reaction speeds while maintaining the order of bond formation and breaking. This discovery may aid in developing self-healing polymers and lead to a better understanding of fundamental energy exchange in chemical reactions.

Rice University researchers create 'nanorice'

The Rice University team created nanorice particles with improved properties for chemical sensing and biological imaging. The particles, made of non-conducting iron oxide and metallic shell, offer greater structural tunability than previous optically useful shapes.

Complex artery disease best treated with simple approach

A new study found that using one stent in both the main artery and a side branch is as effective as using two separate stents. The simpler approach showed lower rates of complications, such as increased procedure time and heart damage markers.

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.

Maintenance therapies offer lasting heart health benefits

Statins have been shown to significantly reduce all-cause mortality in patients treated early for acute coronary syndromes, with a moderate reduction in stroke risk. Beta-blockers also demonstrate improved survival benefits when prescribed at discharge for heart failure patients, reducing the risk of death by half.

Report finds cruise industry is protecting the precious places it visits

The report highlights successful environmental and cultural management in popular cruise destinations, including philanthropic funds for local communities and scientific laboratories on ships. It also provides recommendations for how stakeholders can work together to minimize negative impacts while promoting conservation.

Predicting chemotherapy outcome

A research group identified 679 genes differently expressed in responders to chemotherapy compared to non-responders. RT-PCR analysis validated the findings, confirming the differential expression of 22 genes. The study suggests integrating molecular networks could improve diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Low-income patients reduce heart risk via Internet

A study found that inner city and rural patients who used a telemedicine system significantly reduced their cardiovascular disease risk factors over eight months. Participants showed significant reductions in blood pressure, body mass index, and overall heart disease risk.

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.

Early blood pressure treatment may postpone true hypertension

A four-year study of 772 people with pre-hypertension found that early blood pressure treatment can postpone true hypertension by 15.6%. The study suggests that drug treatment interrupted blood-vessel processes that raise blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Technologies diagnose coronary disease in one heartbeat

A new generation of CT scanner assesses coronary artery health and cardiac anatomy in a single heartbeat, providing clear images of the heart's damage. Researchers also identified predictors of procedural success, including comorbidity and outcome after percutaneous coronary interventions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Post-stent maintenance therapies questioned

The ISAR-REACT 2 trial evaluated the value of abciximab in patients with ACS undergoing PCI after pretreatment with 600 mg of clopidogrel. Researchers found that intensive clopidogrel pretreatment plus abciximab may benefit higher-risk patients.

Chemical reaction yields ties that bind permanently

Researchers developed a new method to permanently bind carbohydrate groups to proteins using room-temperature water-based chemistry. This breakthrough could lead to improved drug delivery and advancements in cancer research.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Wound monitor 'sniffs out' infections

A new wound monitor uses hybrid sensor technology to detect bad bacteria in the air emitted from a wound, enabling rapid and non-invasive infection diagnosis. The device aims to improve early detection of infections, reducing discomfort for patients with severe burns, skin ulcers, or gaping wounds.

Found: Key 'go-between' in heart disease

Researchers have uncovered a complex network of how one bad guy regulates another bad guy, finding a key peptide hormone called angiotensin controls the expression of an important part of PDGF. This discovery could lead to specific inhibitors of growth factor production to reduce the incidence of common vascular disorders.

GoPro HERO13 Black

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Ice volcanoes on Saturn's moon Enceladus

Scientists have found evidence of volcanic activity on Enceladus, a key player in shaping the E ring. The discovery sheds light on the dynamics of ice particles in Saturn's system and challenges existing assumptions about how the moon contributes to the ring's mass distribution.

Mayo Clinic obesity researchers test 'classroom of the future'

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are testing a revolutionary classroom concept that promotes increased physical activity among children, using advanced technologies such as standing desks and wearable devices. The goal is to prevent childhood obesity by encouraging kids to move more during learning.