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Science News for May 15, 2006


No evidence of 'Iraq War Syndrome'

A study published in The Lancet found that UK armed forces personnel who took part in the 2003 Iraq War experienced slight rises in common symptoms, but not to the same extent as those who fought in the 1991 Gulf War. Fatigue was not increased after the 2003 Iraq War.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 15, 2006

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for May 16, 2006

A new study offers a simpler approach to diagnosing urinary incontinence in women by asking patients three simple questions. Meanwhile, an update to the US hepatitis C profile reveals that infected individuals are entering their 40s and 50s, increasing the risk of disease consequences such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 15, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A ruler to measure the universe

Researchers have created a massive 3-D map of the universe, mapping the distribution of galaxies and providing new insights into dark energy. The map uses luminous red galaxies as 'lighthouses' to measure distances, covering vast scales of up to a billion light-years across.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 15, 2006

Diabetes hits 275 Australians each day as pandemic spreads

The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study found that approximately 100,000 adults develop diabetes annually, with nearly 600 people progressing to obesity every day. The study also revealed a significant increase in hypertension and chronic kidney disease among the Australian population.

SourceResearch Australia·DateMay 15, 2006

Penn State researchers look beyond the birth of the universe

A team of researchers at Penn State has discovered a mathematical description of a contracting universe that existed before the Big Bang, with space-time geometry and gravity exhibiting unique properties. The findings rely on loop quantum gravity theory, which proposes a discrete 'atomic' structure to space-time.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 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.

The Daily Show affects young voters

A study found that exposure to The Daily Show led participants to rate candidates more negatively and view the political system as more cynical. Researchers conclude that this may deter young Americans from voting. The study's implications for political participation should be explored further.

SourceSAGE·JournalAmerican Politics Research·DateMay 15, 2006

Free access to science speeds its use

A natural experiment found that open-access articles in PNAS gained a significant citation advantage over non-OA articles, being twice as likely to be cited within 4-10 months and almost three times more likely between 10-16 months after publication. The study suggests that open access accelerates the dissemination of scientific research.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 15, 2006

Researchers look to nature for design inspiration

Scientists mimic worm brains and fish jaws to develop brain-inspired sensors and gain insight into human memory formation. Researchers also explore biological inspiration for legged robots, prosthetics, and tissue engineering.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateMay 15, 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.

Full year of treatment helps infants and children with toxoplasmosis

A year-long treatment improved neurologic outcomes for infants and children with toxoplasmosis. Seventy-two percent of those with moderate or severe disease had normal long-term cognitive outcomes. Comprehensive screening for pregnant women and newborns is recommended to prevent this acute parasitic infection.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMay 15, 2006

Research uncovers signaling pathways related to brain-immune system links

A cell biology study has identified distinct signaling pathways between neurokinin-1 receptors and substance P, which could be used to block HIV entry into macrophages. The findings also highlight the potential of a drug called aprepitant as an HIV treatment.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2006

New compound reduces stroke damage

Researchers have discovered a new compound that specifically targets FKBP38 receptor, reducing programmed cell death in neuronal cells. The compound protects neurons and promotes neural stem cell proliferation, offering potential therapeutic application for stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 15, 2006

Study: Exercise, diet may protect against colorectal cancer

A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that a negative energy balance, induced by exercise and lower body weight, inhibits the growth of polyps in mice. The researchers also discovered that exercising mice had fewer polyps and less body fat compared to non-exercising mice.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCarcinogenesis·DateMay 15, 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.

For elderly, extra pounds may lower mortality rates

A new study suggests that body mass index (BMI) standards for younger adults may not be appropriate for people in their 80s and 90s. The analysis found that those who were overweight had the lowest mortality rates, while being underweight led to higher mortality rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateMay 15, 2006

New compound unusually potent at blocking brain cancer growth

Scientists discover a new compound, PI-103, that effectively inhibits the spread of brain cancer by targeting two separate steps in the signaling pathway. This dual blockade proves to be safe and effective in slowing down cancer cell proliferation in mice with human glioma cells.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCancer Cell·DateMay 15, 2006

Global warming may have damaged coral reefs forever

A recent study found that coral reefs in the Seychelles have suffered severe damage from global warming, leading to a 90% decline in coral cover and a significant loss of biodiversity. The damaged reefs are unable to reseed and recover, resulting in profound impacts on other organisms in the ecosystem.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 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.

Fabled equatorial African icecaps to disappear

The Rwenzori Mountains' glaciers are receding at a rate of tens of meters per year, halving their area between 1987 and 2003. The researchers expect the remaining ice to disappear within twenty years due to increased air temperature without significant changes in precipitation.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 15, 2006

Plants tell caterpillars when it's safe to forage

Researchers found that caterpillars respond to variations in plant volatile production to reduce encounters with parasitic wasps. The study demonstrates that plant volatiles, rather than light, control the daily behavior of caterpillars.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 15, 2006

Buckyballs make room for gilded cages

Researchers have found metal fullerene clusters, also known as hollow golden cages, composed of gold atoms. These structures are stable at room temperature and can cage smaller atoms, opening up new possibilities for influencing physical and chemical properties.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2006

Neural stem cell gene plays crucial role in eye development

Researchers have discovered that a specific neural stem cell gene, SOX2, is crucial for the normal development of the eye. The study found that disruption of this gene leads to abnormalities in eye formation and microphtalmia, a condition affecting 10% of human cases. The severity of the condition depends on the degree of SOX2 disruption.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 15, 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.

Prozac's target revealed

Researchers have identified the specific step in the neurogenesis pathway that Prozac (fluoxetine) stimulates, increasing the number of neurons in the brain. The study's findings lay the foundation for future cell replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2006