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Science News Archive October 2006


Page 14 of 17

Some patients stop needing antidepressant medication after having plastic surgery

A study at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual meeting found that plastic surgery can lead to a significant decrease in antidepressant medication use among patients. Cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and facelifts were associated with improved self-esteem and reduced antidepressant needs.

Plastic surgery patients honored for courage, altruism

Four inspirational patients - Lillie Shockney, Ashley McGrath, Susan Carlisle, and Marine Sergeant Oscar Canon - were honored with the Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity awards for their courageous actions after undergoing life-altering reconstructive plastic surgery. The awards recognize their determination to help others des...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

High blood pressure in kids linked with sleep breathing problems

A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that children with high blood pressure are at risk for sleep breathing disorders. Researchers discovered that 60% of hypertensive children had sleep disordered breathing, which can lead to daytime fatigue, poor school performance, and increased blood pressure.

IBM awards Rice $700K for shared university research project

Rice and IBM collaborate to develop an open-standards-based service-oriented architecture (SOA) to integrate diverse academic software applications. The SOA will enable institutions to tie together their applications, making it easier for faculty and students to create a more integrated learning environment.

Study shows unique garlic product works like the real thing

A clinical trial shows that Garli-Eze, a unique garlic product, can deliver large amounts of allicin directly to the upper gastrointestinal tract for easy absorption. This process eliminates degradation issues and allows for effective cardiovascular benefits.

Genes and diet linked to risk factors for heart disease

Researchers found a genetic link between APOA5 and heart disease risk, specifically in those consuming high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids. Carriers of the gene variant who ate more than six percent of total calories from omega-6s had increased triglyceride levels and elevated lipoprotein particles.

Researchers to develop active nanoscale surfaces for biological separations

A team of researchers is developing nanoscale surfaces that actively reassemble in the presence of DNA, which could lead to more efficient separation tools for genomics and proteomics. The new approach mimics nature's lipid bilayers and can be dynamically modified using temperature, light, or electric fields.

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.

LSD treatment for alcoholism gets new look

A recent study published in Social History of Medicine reveals that LSD can be an effective treatment for alcoholism, with 65% of participants abstaining from drinking for at least a year after receiving a single dose. The therapy worked by allowing patients to experience a spiritual journey that empowered them to heal themselves.

Electromagnetic miniatures

Scientists at Harvard University have developed a method for creating microfluidic channels with parallel metal wires, allowing for the control of magnetic components. The method uses polydimethylsiloxane resin and molten solder to produce stable metal cables, which can generate strong magnetic fields within the channel.

Robotic whiskers can sense three-dimensional environment

Researchers at Northwestern University developed arrays of robotic whiskers that sense information about object shape and fluid flow. These artificial whiskers can extract three-dimensional features from solid objects by analyzing bending moments and strain gauges.

Prescribe exercise for older adults for better health

Physicians can now provide personalized exercise recommendations using the FITT-PRO guidelines, which include frequency, intensity, type, time, and progression. Regular physical activity has been shown to benefit people of all fitness levels, particularly seniors who have limited access to information.

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.

Science of healthy foods subject of grant aimed at university students

A $500,000 USDA grant will enable researchers to develop a new course on the science of food for health, focusing on phytochemicals and antioxidants. The course will be taught to 20 students from three universities, who will receive hands-on training and lab work in various disciplines.

Consuming cola may up osteoporosis risk for older women

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cola consumption is associated with lower bone mineral density in older women, regardless of age, menopausal status, or diet. This may be due to phosphoric acid's potential to promote calcium loss from bones.

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.

Train your brain to hear your friends at a party

A UK researcher has won a major science prize for his work on the region of the brain that helps us hear someone in a noisy place. The researcher, Sam Irving, is studying how the brain adapts to hearing loss and uses feedback systems to compensate.

New technology to speed up research into Huntington's disease

Researchers at Cambridge University have developed an effective new method to test cognitive decline in mice with Huntington's disease using an automated touch screen. The tool allows for minimal movement by the mouse and is less stressful, making it a valuable asset in studying neurological disorders.

Male contraceptive study expands to 4 US cities

The IVD is a long-term contraceptive designed as an alternative to vasectomy, blocking sperm by plugging the vas deferens. The new device aims to be more appealing than traditional methods, but reversibility studies in men are still unknown.

Brain cell and face perception research wins Eppendorf/Science Prize

Doris Tsao's research has shown that specific regions in the monkey brain are dedicated to recognizing faces, with neurons responding strongly to human and monkey faces. Her findings suggest that each face-recognizing neuron is tuned to respond to specific facial characteristics, allowing for the reconstruction of any face.

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.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Researchers lift a corner of the veil of depression

Scientists have identified a crucial role of TPH2 protein in regulating serotonin levels, which may be linked to the development of depression and manic depression. The study suggests that variations in the TPH2 gene are associated with an increased risk of developing these psychiatric disorders.

NASA data captures El Niño's return in the Pacific

NASA's Aqua and Jason satellites have observed a general warming of ocean temperatures and a rise in sea surface heights in the central and eastern Pacific along the equator, indicating El Niño development. The current El Niño signal is far less dramatic than that seen during the start of the last major El Niño episode in 1997-1998.

Astronomers see inside a quasar for the first time

For the first time, astronomers have looked inside quasars and seen evidence of black holes. They measured the size of the accretion disk around a smaller area emitting X-rays, providing further confirmation that quasars are made up of super-massive black holes and heated disks.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Novel workflow language tackles climate change computing challenge

A new workflow language, Martlet, enables the analysis of large datasets in a changing environment by adjusting to data requirements at runtime. This approach has potential for use in various e-Science applications and demonstrates how core computer science can be used to meet exciting challenges.

Researchers identify a key regulator for skin stem cells

Researchers have identified Tcf3, a transcription factor that regulates skin stem cells, as a key repressor switch. Activating this gene can prevent skin stem cells from maturing into adult skin cells, potentially providing insights for lab-grown stem cells and therapies.

New data reinforce safety profile of ENBREL® (etanercept)

New data reinforce the safety profile of ENBREL, confirming its efficacy for up to 2.5 years with no significant increase in adverse events. The study also shows that patients who experience interruption in treatment can regain similar positive efficacy results after re-initiating therapy.

Blood cells linked to heart attacks, other inflammatory diseases

Researchers discovered a biochemical signaling pathway between blood platelets and monocytes that triggers production of Cox-2, an enzyme involved in heart attack, stroke, and other inflammatory diseases. This finding offers hope for developing new drugs to modify Cox-2 production and prevent or lessen the severity of these conditions.

Human brain region functions like digital computer, says CU-Boulder professor

A region of the human brain believed to be critical to intellectual abilities functions much like a digital computer, according to CU-Boulder Professor Randall O'Reilly. The prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia operate by turning electrical signals into binary states and flexibly manipulating them, similar to digital computers.

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.

Latest influenza science and recommendations presented in new release

The Journal of Infectious Diseases has published a supplement offering current information on pandemic and seasonal influenza, featuring leading experts discussing research and recommendations. The article highlights key findings on disease surveillance, vaccine manufacturing, and public health response plans.

New technique boosts size of proteins that can be analyzed

Cornell researchers have extended a top-down approach to analyze larger proteins containing over 2,000 amino acids, providing more efficient identification and revealing protein modifications. The new technique rivals the commonly used bottom-up approach, offering a complete picture of each protein and its modifications.

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.

Emotionally ambivalent workers are more creative, innovative

Research by Christina Ting Fong found that emotionally ambivalent workers perform better on creativity tasks, as they interpret mixed emotions as a signal to draw upon creative thinking abilities. Managers can leverage this by maintaining odd working environments, similar to companies like IDEO and Disney.

Penn researchers find Lou Gehrig's, FTD disease protein

Penn researchers identify misfolded TDP-43 as common pathologic protein linking frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, leading to new avenues of research into the relationship between the two disorders. The discovery has significant implications for developing effective treatments for these lethal diseases.

JCI table of contents: Oct. 5, 2006

Researchers discover RELM-beta's role in IBD, finding it activates macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory factors. Additionally, antibodies against BP180 cause blister formation in mice by activating the classical complement pathway.

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.

UAF professor awarded polar science education grant

University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Larry Duffy has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to develop a new polar science education course. The two-year project will help increase students' and the public's understanding of polar science through an interdisciplinary approach.

Animals resistant to drunken behavior offer clues to alcoholism's roots

Researchers have discovered that animals with altered cytoskeletal structures are less susceptible to alcohol's intoxicating effects. A team of Italian researchers found mice lacking a gene that influences the cellular skeleton became less sensitive to ethanol exposure, leading to increased drinking and reduced neurological damage.

First quantum teleportation between light and matter

Scientists successfully teleported the state of a light pulse to an ensemble of 10^12 atoms, marking the first transfer between objects of different nature. The experiment has significant implications for quantum computing and quantum cryptography.

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.

Child custody with abusive ex-spouse? Study shows how women decide

A University of Illinois study explores how abused women decide on child custody arrangements, revealing the complex interplay between fear, practical considerations, and family ideology. The research highlights the need for tailored interventions to address the unique needs of parents with histories of violence.

microRNA function in neurogenesis

Researchers found that microRNA-9a regulates neural development in fruit flies, controlling the precise production of sensory organ precursor cells. mir-9a also represses transcription factor Senseless to regulate neuronal precursor cell numbers in Drosophila and potentially in mammalian neurogenesis.

USC researchers discover breast cancer stem cells in bone marrow

Researchers found that nearly all tumor cells in the bone marrow of early-stage breast cancer patients have a putative breast cancer stem cell phenotype, increasing the risk of disease progression. This study provides evidence that these stem cells may be responsible for metastases and has significant implications for cancer treatment.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Scientists find 'chemo brain' no figment of the imagination

A new UCLA study shows that chemotherapy causes persistent changes in brain function, leading to cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness and confusion. PET scans reveal a link between chemo-brain symptoms and lower brain metabolism, suggesting that monitoring brain activity could help prevent these effects.

Images develop clinical applications for new DESI technology

Purdue researchers use new mass spectrometry technique to create high-resolution images of biological samples, enabling precise cancer detection and tissue removal. The technology has far-reaching applications in medicine, including the detection of diseases like cancer.

Fruit juice intake among preschool children not associated with weight

A new study published in Pediatrics found that consuming 100 percent fruit juices is not associated with overweight status among preschool children. The analysis of the largest government database on food consumption suggests that preschoolers are consuming appropriate amounts of juice, averaging 4.7 ounces per day.

Driving diversification

Researchers at UCSF discover spineless gene's role in controlling dendritic branching patterns in fruit fly neurons. The findings suggest the gene may convert primordial patterns for different neuron types, potentially contributing to neurological disorders like autism.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Drug prevents postpartum hemorrhage in resource poor settings

A study found that misoprostol is an effective way to prevent postpartum hemorrhage in countries with limited hospital services. The drug significantly reduced the risk of acute postpartum hemorrhage and average blood loss, offering a cost-effective solution for resource-poor settings.