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Science News Archive January 2007


Page 8 of 13

Other highlights in the Jan. 17 JNCI

A new study found that calcium supplements can reduce the risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence by up to 5 years after stopping supplementation. In contrast, antioxidant supplements did not show a significant effect on gastric cancer risk.

Students who attend college at early age rate experience positive, enduring

A new study by the University of Washington reveals that early college entrants are not unhappy 'nerds' but rather versatile, interesting, and sociable individuals. The research found that most students who entered college at a young age reported living up to their expectations in various areas of life, including work, intellectual pur...

Applied scientists create wrinkled 'skin' on polymers

Applied scientists developed a method for creating wrinkled hard skins on polymer surfaces using a focused ion beam. The technique has potential use in biological sensors and microfluidic devices, as well as custom-made cell templates for tissue engineering.

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.

Physicists discover structures of gold nanoclusters

Researchers have unveiled the size-dependent evolution of structural and electronic structural motifs of gold nanoclusters. The experiments show near perfect agreement pertaining to the cluster structures occurring in the experiments, which is crucial for understanding their behavior as nanocatalysts or in medical applications.

Study identifies common flaws in oncology microarray studies

A recent study identified common flaws in oncology microarray studies, including inadequate methods to account for false-positive findings. Researchers provide guidelines to improve the quality of analysis and reporting of such studies, aiming to validate scientific findings through replication.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

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.

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.

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.

New gene uncovered for late-onset Alzheimer's

Researchers discovered a new genetic variant SORL1 associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The gene is linked to an increased risk of toxic amyloid beta peptides in the brain, leading to Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists find new genetic clue to cause of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have identified a new genetic clue that may contribute to the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Variations in the SORL1 gene were found to be associated with an increased risk of the disease, and altering the levels of this protein changed the way amyloid beta fragments were produced in cells.

Researchers first to map gene that regulates adult stem cell growth

A new study has identified a gene that regulates adult stem cell growth, which could lead to increased doses of chemotherapy and faster recovery times for cancer patients. The discovery also opens up possibilities for treating other diseases such as liver disease and diabetes.

Scientists discover a new risk factor for Alzheimer's

Researchers identified a new genetic risk factor associated with late-onset Alzheimer's, implicating the SORL1 gene. Variants of this gene are linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's, particularly in Caucasians, and may play a role in the production of toxic amyloid-beta fragments.

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.

New cancer drug shown to be active in patients for the first time

Researchers found that a drug blocking nitric oxide synthesis significantly reduced tumor blood volume in patients, providing early clinical evidence of its anti-vascular activity. The study's results suggest potential for the use of this agent as a novel vascular targeting agent in cancer treatment.

Lost dogs found more often than lost cats, study suggests

Researchers found that 71% of lost dogs were reunited with their owners, compared to 53% of lost cats. Identification tags or microchips played a crucial role in recovery. Posting signs and advertising in local newspapers also helped recover pets.

Novel approach to cancer drug given major boost

Scientists at ProXara Biotechnology Limited have identified a way to prevent tumour cells from growing by switching off key enzyme PKB. The research, funded by the Wellcome Trust Seeding Drug Discovery initiative, aims to develop a drug that can be used in clinical trials for lung cancer treatment.

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.

Natural gut hormone offers hope for new obesity drug

Researchers have identified pancreatic polypeptide as a potential solution to appetite suppression, which may lead to a new obesity treatment. The hormone is naturally released in the gut and acts as a neurotransmitter to indicate fullness to the brain.

Alzheimer's gene identified

Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a new gene, SORL1, associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in different ethnic groups. The discovery highlights the complexity of the disease's genetics and underscores the need for further replication studies.

White blood cells in lung produce histamine seen in allergies

In a breakthrough study, researchers found that neutrophils in the lungs produce histamine in response to infection, contradicting the long-held assumption that mast cells are the primary source. This discovery has implications for asthma and bronchitis treatments, suggesting antihistamines may be a viable therapeutic option.

Exploring the molecular origin of blood clot flexibility

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a molecular spring within the fibrinogen protein, which explains how blood clots can stretch and bend under physical stress. This discovery may lead to the development of treatments for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and thrombosis.

ONR sponsors award-winning nanotechnology researchers

Researchers sponsored by ONR have made groundbreaking discoveries in graphene and carbon nanotubes, leading to novel electronic devices and sensors. Their work has the potential to revolutionize industries such as electronics and materials science.

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.