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Science News Archive 2007 - Page 174


Page 174 of 203

Sweat may pass on hepatitis B in contact sports

Research suggests sweat can carry hepatitis B virus, potentially transmitting the infection during contact sports. The study found that 13% of Olympic wrestlers had hidden or occult HBV infection and 11% had particles of the virus in their sweat.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMar 1, 2007

Improved predictions of warming-induced extinctions sought

A team of researchers calls for better forecasting of extinction rates due to global warming. They argue that current models overestimate extinction risks and propose eight recommendations to improve forecasts, including clarifying biodiversity definitions and testing existing models more rigorously.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateMar 1, 2007

Early life growth spurts protect against 'bad' cholesterol

Research tracked over 3,000 participants from birth to age 53 and found that rapid height gain before 2 and after 15 lowered 'bad' cholesterol. Higher body fat and weight gain were associated with higher total cholesterol levels.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 1, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Chronic disease management quality improvement efforts yield better care delivery

A national series of interventions aimed at improving chronic disease management quality resulted in enhanced processes of care for diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. However, these efforts did not lead to improvements in intermediate clinical outcomes, such as control of high blood pressure or glycated hemoglobin levels.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 1, 2007

Murder and the operations researcher

Operations researchers introduced unbiased analytical tools to study criminal justice, shedding new light on crime patterns and the effectiveness of imprisonment. Prof. Blumstein's work reveals that crime rates fell during the crack cocaine epidemic as people turned away from the drug, while imprisonment did not prevent crime.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalOperations Research·DateMar 1, 2007
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.

Favorable outcomes from mild invitro fertilization practices

A randomized trial found mild IVF with single embryo transfer resulted in similar livebirth rates to standard IVF while reducing complications and costs. Mild strategies also reduced patients' discomfort and diminished the risks of multiple pregnancies.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 1, 2007

New study rewrites evolutionary history of vespid wasps

A genetic analysis of vespid wasps reveals that eusociality evolved separately in two groups, contradicting a long-held model. The study adds weight to earlier findings and sheds light on the complexity of evolutionary processes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2007

Single genetic defect causes early heart disease

Researchers discovered a rare genetic mutation that causes early onset coronary artery disease in an Iranian family. The mutation, in the LRP6 gene, leads to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all risk factors for heart disease.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateMar 1, 2007

'Finger rafting:' Ice sheets that mesh when they meet

Researchers at Yale University discovered that ice sheets sometimes mesh together when colliding, forming a series of interlocking blocks dubbed finger rafting. This curiosity has puzzled scientists for over 50 years.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 1, 2007
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.

Food Quality Magazine presents 6th annual award

Hormel was recognized for its outstanding achievements in food safety investments, including the development of high pressure processing technology, and pioneering efforts to ensure humane animal treatment. The award honors food companies that protect consumer health and improve satisfaction.

SourceWiley·DateMar 1, 2007

Treating male infertility with stem cells

Researchers transplanted bone marrow stem cells into testes of infertile mice, showing potential for treating male infertility. The stem cells differentiated into germ cells and supporting cells, suggesting a new approach to replacing nonfunctioning cells involved in sperm production.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMar 1, 2007

Transcendental meditation reduces congestive heart failure, new study shows

A new study shows that Transcendental meditation significantly improves heart function and quality of life for African Americans with congestive heart failure. The technique was found to reduce symptoms such as depression and rehospitalizations, leading to improved survival rates.

SourceMaharishi International University·JournalEthnicity & Disease·DateMar 1, 2007

New details in schizophrenia treatment trial emerge

Two new studies from the CATIE trial provide more insights into comparing treatment options and their impact on people with schizophrenia. The trials found that newer antipsychotic medications like quetiapine and olanzapine may be more effective than older medications, but patient responses varied significantly.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 1, 2007
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.

MIT model could aid design of nanomaterials

Researchers developed a new computer modeling approach to study material behavior under stress, offering insights into designing materials with optimal balance between strength and ductility. The model reveals that twin boundaries play a critical role in the strength and ductility of metals.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2007

Sediment wedge key to glacial environmental stability

Researchers discovered a sediment wedge beneath the Whillans Ice Stream in Antarctica, which provides stability against moderate sea level rise. The wedge, eroded by moving ice sheets, helps maintain the grounding line's location despite changes in relative sea levels.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateMar 1, 2007

JCI table of contents -- March 1, 2007

Researchers identified a protein called MARCO that helps immune cells in the lungs clear oxidants, protecting against lung damage. HDL proteins were also found to have anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting new potential treatments for diseases like asthma and COPD.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2007

Prioritizing women's health

The lack of attention to women's health is a significant issue, with women putting their lives at risk during pregnancy. Improved access to contraception could prevent up to 90% of deaths from unsafe abortions and 20% of obstetric mortality.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 1, 2007
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Leukemia drug turns mini-molecules up, cancer genes down

Researchers found that vitamin A derivative ATRA increases levels of miRNA-15b and miRNA-16-1, which inhibit Bcl-2 gene activity. This helps explain how the drug works by regulating genes that need to be silenced for cell differentiation.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOncogene·DateMar 1, 2007

Gypsies' and travellers' health much worse than other vulnerable groups

Research reveals Gypsies' and Travellers have higher rates of long-term illnesses, mobility issues, and pain, with poorer mental health outcomes. Policies to address health inequalities have not met their needs, highlighting the need for targeted support.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 1, 2007

Few primary care practitioners offer HIV tests to Hispanic patients in Los Angeles

A study by UCLA researchers found that only 41% of primary care providers offered advice on sexually transmitted infections or safe sex, while 36% had offered more than 20 HIV tests. The study suggests that providers are testing patients who present with symptoms rather than proactively offering early detection.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the National Medical Association·DateMar 1, 2007
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.

Man's best friend lends insight into human evolution

Research suggests that the ability of humans to use social cues in cooperative situations may have evolved since the human lineage split from chimpanzees. In contrast, domestic dogs display an innate ability to solve social problems without prior training. This capacity is thought to be linked to the process of dog domestication.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMar 1, 2007

Improving quality of life for patients with cirrhosis

A study found that lactulose improved cognitive function and health-related quality-of-life in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with advanced liver disease. The treatment showed significant improvement in emotional behavior, movement, mobility, sleep/rest, and recreational activities.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateMar 1, 2007
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

UCLA study uncovers clues for why Graves' disease attacks the eyes

Scientists at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute have discovered defects in the infection-fighting T-cells of Graves' disease (GD) patients' immune systems. The study found an abnormal surplus of receptors targeted by an antibody that mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation and damage to eye tissue.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateMar 1, 2007

Peruvian citadel is site of earliest ancient solar observatory in the Americas

Researchers at Yale University and the University of Leicester have discovered an ancient solar observatory at Chankillo, Peru, dating back to the 4th century B.C. The site features a line of 13 towers aligned with the sun's position throughout the year, making it the oldest complete solar observatory in the Americas.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateMar 1, 2007

Irish potato famine disease came from South America

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that Phytophthora infestans, the fungus-like pathogen responsible for the 1840s Irish potato famine, originated in the Andes region of South America. The study used gene genealogies to track the migration patterns of different strains of the pathogen, pointing to an Andean origin.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2007

A frenzy of fruit fly methods featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols

A series of articles provides tried-and-true advice on maintaining and manipulating flies, inducing mutations, harvesting and analyzing embryos, and characterizing proteins. These protocols are designed to be easy to use at the bench, with reagents, equipment, and recipe lists.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCold Spring Harbor Protocols·DateMar 1, 2007
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Calcium is spark of life, kiss of death for nerve cells

OHSU research reveals calcium ions modulate auditory nerve cells' recharging after bursting signals. High levels of calcium can be toxic, but regulating sodium pump activity conserves energy and prevents cell death.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 28, 2007

Manchester physicists pioneer new super-thin technology

Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a new type of technology using the world's thinnest material, which can be used to sieve gases and make ultra-fast electronic switches. The discovery has significant implications for the development of medical drugs, as it will potentially allow the rapid analysis of atomic str...

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2007

New graphene transistor promises life after death of silicon chip

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a new type of transistor made from graphene, which is only one atom thick and less than 50 atoms wide. This innovation could lead to the development of faster computer chips by allowing for the rapid miniaturization of electronics.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 28, 2007

Software patch makes car more fuel-efficient

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a software patch to increase fuel efficiency in cars, reducing energy waste and emissions. The patch enables the car to achieve optimal engine performance more frequently, resulting in savings of up to 2.6% on fuel consumption.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·DateFeb 28, 2007
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.

USC study shows states can succeed in insuring kids

A USC study found that Healthy Kids coalitions in 28 California counties linked 85,000 kids with health insurance coverage. The success of these coalitions was attributed to diverse stakeholder groups and strong leadership.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 28, 2007

New insight into brain disorders

Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered how controlling glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) activity can improve neuronal connections and prevent memory erasure in brain disorders. This breakthrough sheds light on the role of GSK3 in normal neuronal function and may lead to the development of drugs to inhibit its activity.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 28, 2007

Yellowstone's quiet power

A new study reveals that Yellowstone's volcanic hotspot is much more active than previously believed, exerting powerful forces on the surrounding terrain even between eruptions. The hotspot's effects are evident in the deformation of Earth's crust, with the Yellowstone caldera rising at an unprecedented rate.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateFeb 28, 2007
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.

NASA's robotic sub readies for dive into Earth's deepest sinkhole

Carnegie Mellon University researchers developed the software that guided NASA's DEPTHX craft to safely operate in a complicated, unexplored three-dimensional space. The mission aims to explore the world's deepest sinkhole, La Pilita, and develop technologies for future ocean exploration.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateFeb 28, 2007

Pharmacist-driven outreach lowers metabolic syndrome rates

Researchers found that adult participants who met with pharmacists during a community outreach project showed significant reductions in metabolic syndrome risk factors and heart disease risk after four months. The study suggests that pharmacist-driven education and lifestyle recommendations can help combat metabolic syndrome.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 28, 2007
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.

Appearance concerns related to depression in patients with rheumatic disease

A study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that patients with rheumatic diseases experience increased psychological distress and depression, particularly due to appearance concerns. The results suggest that targeting appearance concerns can improve mood and reduce the impact of the disease on mental health.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateFeb 28, 2007

Schools help hold the line against childhood obesity, study says

A nationwide study found that obese children benefited from attending school, with their rate of BMI gain reduced the most. Schools seem to help limit the spread of obesity due to their structured environment, restricting access to food and promoting healthier choices.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 28, 2007
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.

Rensselaer Professor Daniel Gall receives NSF Career Award

Professor Daniel Gall will receive a $400,000 grant to develop fundamental understanding of material vapors condensing on surfaces and assembling into nanostructures. The research aims to create specialized nanostructured materials with broad applications in various industries.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateFeb 28, 2007
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.

MU researcher to assist US Army in fight against infections

A University of Missouri-Columbia researcher is assisting the US Army in fighting multi-drug resistant infections among wounded troops, often caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The study aims to identify effective antibiotics and treatment durations to reduce infection rates and amputations.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateFeb 28, 2007