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Science News for March 20, 2007


Life cycle assessment essential to nanotech commercial development

The report emphasizes the need for life cycle assessments to ensure sustainable nanotechnology commercialization, citing limited data on nanomaterial toxicity and environmental impacts. LCA can still be useful, but uncertainties must be clearly stated to address critical unknowns.

SourceWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Science and Technology Innovation Program·DateMar 20, 2007

Will the plague pathogen become resistant to antibiotics?

Researchers have found the same plasmids responsible for antibiotic resistance in common bacteria also present in the plague bacillus Yersinia pestis, raising concerns about its potential spread. This discovery highlights a significant public health risk as MDR Y. pestis could rapidly evolve and affect human health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 20, 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.

Other highlights from the March 21 JNCI

A large study found that doubling fat intake is linked to a 15% increase in breast cancer risk, regardless of the type of fat consumed. In contrast, higher consumption of lignans, found in plants and whole grains, may be associated with a reduced risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 20, 2007

Unsafe sex: Do feelings matter?

A new study by Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University found that adolescents with psychiatric disorders were less likely to use condoms consistently if they felt stressed or anxious about it. Helping teens manage their emotions may be crucial in preventing HIV and other STIs.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community·DateMar 20, 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.

LSU professor uncovers prehistoric hurricane activity

A study led by LSU Professor Kam-biu Liu reveals that the chances of a Category 4 or 5 hurricane directly hitting any Gulf location are approximately 0.03 percent annually, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalAmerican Scientist·DateMar 20, 2007

For-profit groups effective in helping California children obtain health care

A UC Irvine research found that insurance brokers and for-profit groups are key to helping eligible California children enroll in government-funded health care programs. The program, which paid $25-$50 per person enrolled, showed a significant increase in successful enrollments before being suspended in 2003.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 20, 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.

Study details catastrophic impact of nuclear attack on US cities

A new study details the devastating impact of a nuclear attack on American cities, including casualties from blast and radiation, and burn victims from massive fires. The researchers suggest simple interventions can save tens of thousands of lives.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalInternational Journal of Health Geographics·DateMar 20, 2007

Triplex assay used to assay duplex genomic DNA

A new triplex assay developed by Ingeneus Research enables direct detection of base sequences in human genomic DNA, eliminating the need for PCR. The assay uses YOYO-1 to de-condense duplex targets, allowing specific oligo probes to bind and detect sequence variations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 20, 2007

Study of leukemia survivors gives hints for better care

A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that adults who survived childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at a higher risk of developing secondary neoplasms during adulthood. Most of these late-onset tumors are low-grade and curable, but some can cause significant health issues.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateMar 20, 2007

Severe mental retardation gene mutation identified

A new gene mutation has been identified as the cause of X-linked mental retardation, a severe condition affecting male offspring. The researchers discovered the ZDHHC9 gene, which is mutated and loses its function, leading to the condition.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 20, 2007

Researchers uncover protection mechanism of radiation-resistant bacterium

Researchers at the Uniformed Services University have discovered that Deinococcus radiodurans protects itself from high doses of ionizing radiation through protein oxidation. This finding points to new avenues for radioprotection, potentially influencing cancer treatment and radioactive waste containment.

SourceHenry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 20, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dental insurance, caregivers' preventive dental visits determinants of underserved

A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that African-American children with private dental insurance and caregivers who have had preventive dental visits are more likely to see a dentist. The researchers also identified other determinants of dental care utilization among young, low-income children.

SourceAmerican Dental Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateMar 20, 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.

Feinstein researchers uncover genetic risk for schizophrenia

Researchers at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have discovered a new gene that increases the risk of developing schizophrenia. The study, which analyzed over 500,000 genetic markers, found a significant link between a chromosomal region called PAR1 and the disease.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 20, 2007

Protein found to shield pancreatic cancer cells from self-destruction

A protein called tissue transglutaminase (TG2) protects human pancreatic cancer cells from autophagy, a form of programmed cell death, researchers found. Inhibiting TG2 led to a drastic reduction in its expression and telltale signs of autophagy in the cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateMar 20, 2007

New technique developed for tracking cells in the body

Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed a new technique for noninvasively tracking cells in the body using genetically encoded cells producing natural contrast visible via MRI. The method appears more effective than existing methods for detecting injected biomaterials, and offers high-resolution imaging without tissue removal.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 20, 2007

Study: Online information may improve cancer patients' opinions about doctors

A new study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center of Excellence in Cancer Communications Research found that accessing high-quality health information online can improve breast cancer patients' opinions about their doctors. The study also discovered a positive correlation between using online services and patient satisfaction...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·DateMar 20, 2007

Educational video increases knowledge but not behavior

A study by Schepens Eye Research Institute found that an educational video increased patients' knowledge about macular degeneration and adaptive devices, but had no effect on their emotional response or behavior. The video did not motivate patients to make changes to improve their quality of life.

SourceSchepens Eye Research Institute·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateMar 20, 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.

Radiation preferred over surgery for patients with some stages of lung cancer

According to a randomized controlled trial, radiation therapy is the preferred treatment option for patients with locally advanced stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer who have responded to chemotherapy. This finding suggests that surgery may not improve survival rates compared to radiation after chemotherapy treatment.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 20, 2007

Colon cancer survival linked to number of lymph nodes examined

A study of 17 studies from nine countries found that removing and examining more lymph nodes during colon cancer surgery improves patient outcomes. The research suggests that knowing how far a cancer has spread leads to tailored treatment, ultimately resulting in better survival rates for patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 20, 2007