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Science News for April 27, 2007


Aspirin may be less effective heart treatment for women than men

A new study by the University of Michigan found that aspirin therapy is four times more likely to be ineffective in women compared to men with the same medical history. The researchers used a device to test platelet reactivity and found that gender was a predictor for aspirin resistance, rather than medical history.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Pharmacotherapy·DateApr 27, 2007

Anti-fungal drug stops blood vessel growth

Researchers have discovered that the anti-fungal medication itraconazole can stop the growth of new blood vessels, which is commonly seen in cancers. In mice models, treatment with itraconazole reduced blood vessel growth by 67%, providing a promising lead for cancer treatment

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateApr 27, 2007

Nanostructures can pose big measurement problems

Researchers have identified a lack of precise methods for studying nanostructured materials' atomic arrangements, dubbed the 'nanostructure problem.' A comprehensive solution requires coordination among multiple experimental methods and theory.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateApr 27, 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.

New nanocomposites may mean more durable tooth fillings

New nanocomposites may mean more durable tooth fillings, according to scientists at NIST. The researchers' technique solves a problem with standard composite resin fillings by producing stronger and more effective restorations.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateApr 27, 2007
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.

Scientists find missing link to understand how plants make vitamin C

Researchers at Dartmouth and UCLA discovered the last unknown enzyme in plant vitamin C synthesis, a key step in understanding how plants produce this essential nutrient. The enzyme, VTC2, is responsible for the seventh step in vitamin C synthesis, marking a significant breakthrough in the field.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 27, 2007

Extended family ties influenced evacuation decisions during Hurricane Katrina

The study found that strong extended family ties facilitated evacuation decisions, providing access to transportation and shelter, but also hindered it by creating conflicting opinions about evacuation messages. This highlights the importance of considering social networks in disaster planning for vulnerable communities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 27, 2007

UCLA study shows Tai Chi may help alleviate tension headaches

Researchers found that a 15-week Tai Chi program significantly improved headache pain and overall quality of life for adults suffering from tension headaches. The exercise's emphasis on relaxation and breathing may address the underlying cause of tension headaches.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·DateApr 27, 2007

Placing single nanowires: NIST makes the connection

Researchers at NIST have devised a system for manipulating and positioning individual nanowires using optical microscopy and conventional photolithographic processing. They can fabricate sophisticated test structures to explore the properties of nanowires with high control, enabling the creation of elaborate structures for testing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology·DateApr 27, 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.

Costs of treating arthritis on the rise nationwide, study finds

The cost of treating arthritis in the US has more than doubled between 1998 and 2003 due to the increasing number of people with the disease and inflation-adjusted prescription costs. Total medical care expenditures for arthritis patients increased by $88 billion annually, with estimated incremental costs reaching $81 billion.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateApr 27, 2007

Anti-dandruff compound may help fight epilepsy

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that zinc pyrithione, an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos, can calm overexcited nerve cells, potentially treating seizures. The compound works by allowing more potassium flow through defective channels, restoring normal nerve cell activity.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 27, 2007

Fish growth changes enhanced by climate change

New research by CSIRO Australia suggests that climate change is enhancing the growth of shallow-water fish species, but decreasing their growth rates at greater depths. This finding has implications for the long-term viability of deep-water stocks.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2007

How plastic is your brain? UH engineer seeks answers

A University of Houston engineer is using a new device to study the adult brain's ability to adjust and recover from injuries. The research aims to understand the level of plasticity in adult brains and potentially develop new treatments for brain damage.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 27, 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.

Researchers find plant protein that may aid biofuel production

Corn-based ethanol faces environmental and economic challenges, prompting scientists to explore cellulose as an alternative. Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a class of plant enzymes that can improve the efficiency of cellulose degradation, potentially making biofuel production more cost-effective.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 27, 2007

Depression may be early sign of Parkinson's disease

Researchers found people taking antidepressant medications were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those not taking the medication. Depression was identified as an early symptom of Parkinson's, appearing in the year before diagnosis.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateApr 27, 2007

Gold nanoparticles help detect a toxic metal -- mercury

Scientists at Northwestern University developed a simple method to detect mercury using gold nanoparticles and DNA. The technique can identify mercury levels in water samples by visual inspection, offering a faster and more convenient alternative to existing detection methods.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 27, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ocean's 'twilight zone' may be a key to understanding climate change

A recent study found that carbon dioxide consumed by animals and bacteria in the twilight zone is often recycled back into the atmosphere, rather than being stored in the deep ocean. This discovery adds complexity to proposals for mitigating climate change through ocean fertilization.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateApr 27, 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.

Arming the fight against resistant bacteria

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised a method to tackle antibiotic resistance, identifying four promising new compounds with preliminary antibacterial activity. The compounds show promise against MRSA and other Gram-positive bacteria, but further research is needed to understand their mechanism of action.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateApr 27, 2007

Dua anti-reflux stent relieves GI upper cancer distress

A new stent has been shown to relieve GI upper cancer distress by incorporating an anti-reflux valve, which reduces backflow of intestinal contents into the bile duct. The study found that patients with the Dua stent had a longer median of 145 days without complications compared to those with standard stents.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateApr 27, 2007

Plants do not emit methane

A recent study in Nature suggested plants emit methane, but a new study in New Phytologist found methane emissions from plants are negligible and do not contribute to global climate change. The researchers used a novel experiment with heavy carbon isotopes to detect any methane emission, which was undetectable.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalNew Phytologist·DateApr 27, 2007
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.

The economic impact of arthritis on the United States

The study found a significant increase in arthritis prevalence from 36.8 million to 46.1 million adults between 1997 and 2003. Medical expenditures for prescription drugs almost doubled during this period, while inpatient expenditures declined, resulting in stable total medical care spending for individuals with arthritis.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateApr 27, 2007

Help comes in the mail for drinkers

A new study led by the University of Alberta found that mailing brief self-help materials to interested drinkers in the general population reduced binge drinking by 10%. The study provided self-help materials to 877 male and female drinkers, aged 43, who were recruited from the general population.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAddiction·DateApr 27, 2007