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Science News for January 15, 2007


Low-dose aspirin offers lower chance of asthma

A large randomized controlled trial found that taking low-dose aspirin every other day can reduce the risk of newly diagnosed adult-onset asthma by 22 percent. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, involved over 22,000 healthy male physicians aged 40 to 84 years.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Risk of death increases with combined heart and stroke prevention surgery

A recent study published in Neurology found that patients undergoing combined heart bypass surgery and carotid endarterectomy experience a 38% higher chance of death or postoperative stroke compared to those who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery alone. The study suggests that the combined procedure may not provide additional benef...

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 15, 2007

Should HIV-positive mothers breastfeed?

A new study suggests that HIV-positive mothers who receive adequate support can safely breastfeed either formula or short-term breastfeeding without compromising their infant's chances for survival and health. The research highlights the importance of providing comprehensive care to these mothers, enabling them to make informed decisio...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Learning with a partner improves skin cancer self-examination practices

A study found that learning skin self-examination with a partner enhances the perceived importance and performance of this critical cancer prevention behavior. Participants who learned together showed stronger intentions to examine their skin regularly, especially in hard-to-see areas like the scalp and back.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateJan 15, 2007

Webb scope looks out of this world

The James Webb Space Telescope will enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. The telescope will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.

SourceSpringer·JournalSpace Science Reviews·DateJan 15, 2007
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.

Patients with amnesia 'live in the present'

Patients with hippocampal damage experience severe impairments in imagining new experiences and planning for the future. They struggle to visualize complex scenarios, instead seeing fragmented images. Researchers suggest a common brain mechanism underlying memory recall and imaginative thinking may be affected.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2007

U of MN adult stem cell research shows promise for transplant therapies

Researchers at the University of Minnesota successfully used adult stem cells to replace the immune system and bone marrow of mice, offering a promising new therapy for people in the future. The study replicated previous findings and demonstrated that multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) can give rise to blood cells.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Outcomes comparable for younger and older children with surgically implanted hearing aids

A recent study published in Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that outcomes following surgically implanted bone-anchored hearing aids are comparable for children younger than 5 years and those older than 5 years. Early and consistent stimulation of the cochlea is critical to a child's development of speech and language.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateJan 15, 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.

Tip sheet: Annals of Internal Medicine, Jan. 16, 2007, issue

A review of human growth hormone use in healthy elderly people found minimal benefits and high adverse events. Narcotics are often prescribed for chronic back pain but have poor efficacy data and high abuse rates. Meanwhile, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved HIV survival rates among those diagnosed since 2000.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

No proof that growth hormone therapy makes you live longer, Stanford study finds

A Stanford study systematically reviewed medical literature on growth hormone therapy for the elderly, concluding that it has minimal to no benefit and potential adverse side effects. The research found modest effects on body composition but no impact on clinically important outcomes such as bone density or cholesterol levels.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Combination therapy reduces exacerbations in severe COPD

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that combining a long-acting bronchodilator with an inhaled corticosteroid reduced exacerbations by 35% in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The treatment was well-tolerated, but raised concerns about potential sys...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

New proteomic method to detect inflammation in amniotic fluid

Researchers developed a score based on protein markers to predict inflammation in amniotic fluid, associated with preterm delivery and infant sepsis. The 'Mass Restricted' (MR) score showed promise in identifying women at risk of preterm birth and babies with suspected or confirmed sepsis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007
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.

Ghost authorship of industry funded drug trials is common

A study of 44 industry-initiated trials found that ghost authorship was present in 33 trials, with statisticians being the most common ghost authors. This practice undermines scientific integrity and highlights the need for stricter guidelines to prevent it.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Growth hormone is not the anti-aging bullet for healthy adults

A review found that growth hormone had minimal effects on body composition but increased rates of unhealthy side effects, diabetes, and adverse events. The use of GH for anti-aging in healthy adults is not recommended due to the lack of evidence and potential risks.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

All in the family

A new study of over 7,000 Japanese-American men found that those from large families were more than twice as likely to develop stomach cancer due to the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Younger siblings in these families appeared especially vulnerable to the most common type of stomach cancer.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007
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.

Producing medicines in plant seeds

Researchers have successfully produced proteins that resemble antibodies in plant seeds, demonstrating their potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The antibody variants are just as active as whole antibodies and can be used in medical applications, with advantages including high production capacity and timely processing.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2007

Selective marker found to indicate aggressive form of breast cancer

Researchers have found a selective marker in nestin that could lead to earlier detection and better treatment of basal epithelial breast tumors, a highly aggressive form of breast cancer. High levels of nestin were detected in 14 out of 16 tumor samples examined.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 15, 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.

Why are lions not as big as elephants?

Carnivores can only sustain body mass up to one ton due to energy intake and expenditure limitations. This explains why large predators like lions and modern-day polar bears are relatively small compared to extinct herbivorous mammals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 15, 2007

Study suggests hip fractures not caused by benzodiazepine use after all

A new study from Harvard Medical School found no association between benzodiazepine use and hip fractures among the elderly. The study, which analyzed data from over 90,000 Medicaid recipients, suggests that policies limiting sedative prescriptions may need to be reexamined.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

40,000-year-old skull shows both modern human and Neandertal traits

A 40,000-year-old skull found in Romania shows both modern human and Neandertal characteristics, indicating complex population dynamics as humans spread into Europe. The skull, named Oase 2, has a mix of archaic and derived features, raising questions about the evolutionary history of modern humans.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2007
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Relationship between delirium and dementia

Researchers explore relationship between delirium and dementia, finding potential biomarkers, neuroimaging techniques, and cognitive reserve factors. Delirium can be a major expense to healthcare systems, but interventions can decrease its incidence.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·DateJan 15, 2007

Early life family structure and microbially induced cancer risk and more

A 28-year study of Japanese-American men found that growing up in a large family or being born later in the family increased the risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma. The results suggest that early-life social environment plays a significant role in microbially induced malignancies expressed decades later.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Nanotechnology shows promise as next wrinkle fighter

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that nanoparticles can stop thin polymer films from buckling and wrinkling, paving the way for new solutions to prevent wrinkles. The technology has potential applications in cosmetic procedures and medical treatments.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 15, 2007

Researchers discover genetic cause for word-finding disease

Primary Progressive Aphasia is a mysterious neurological disease that affects speech and language abilities, with researchers discovering a genetic cause in a progranulin gene mutation. The study found the mutation in two unrelated families, providing a molecular approach to understanding the causes of the disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateJan 15, 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.

Researchers discover surprising drug that blocks malaria

Researchers discover how malaria parasites hijack red blood cells and develop a new strategy to block them using propranolol. The finding opens the possibility for important new drugs that won't become resistant, addressing the growing problem of drug-resistant malaria.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 15, 2007

Microtubule protein interactions visualized en masse

A new study uses visual immunoprecipitation to reveal the regulation of microtubule dynamics via coordinated changes in protein interactions. Microtubules become dynamic during mitosis due to the release of a destabilizer molecule.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 15, 2007

Putting a face on the earliest modern Europeans

A 35,000-year-old European skull found in Romania has been analyzed, revealing that it exhibits both modern and archaic features. The discovery supports the idea of human evolution and suggests that early modern humans interbred with Neanderthals.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2007

One-time melanoma screening of older adults appears to be cost-effective

A mathematical model suggests that one-time screening of adults age 50 or older for malignant melanoma is very cost-effective, with costs totaling $10,100 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Screening every two years may also be cost-effective, depending on disease progression rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateJan 15, 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.

Cloudy apple juice four times healthier than clear

Research published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture reveals cloudy apple juice contains four times the concentration of polyphenols as clear varieties. Polyphenols have anti-cancer activity and can help prevent heart disease, supporting a healthier diet.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateJan 15, 2007