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Science News for October 5, 2007


Got calcium? UWM researcher finds that food labels confuse consumers

A recent study found that current food labeling leads to under-consumption of calcium, a crucial nutrient for osteoporosis prevention. Researchers discovered that consumers struggle to translate %DV to milligrams, and even doctors often make incorrect calculations. However, providing simple guidelines can help individuals better naviga...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateOct 5, 2007

Penn biochemist receives NIH New Innovator's Award

Biochemistry and biophysics expert Dr. James Shorter has been awarded a $1.5 million NIH New Innovator Award to develop biochemical methods for combating nerve degeneration diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateOct 5, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NCCAM expands Centers of Excellence in CAM research program

NCCAM has added three new Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), focusing on the biological effects of plant-derived compounds on various health conditions. The centers will investigate mechanisms and effects of compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and grape polyphenols in preventing or tre...

SourceNIH/National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health·DateOct 5, 2007

Technology would help detect terrorists before they strike

Researchers at University at Buffalo develop automated system to track individuals' likelihood of committing a terrorist act based on biometrics and behavioral indicators. The system aims to identify perpetrators in real-time, providing a numerical score of malfeasance likelihood.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateOct 5, 2007

Genes from the father facilitate the formation of new species

Research finds that female bird species develop a sexual preference for males of their own species, driven by genes on the sex chromosome inherited from the father. This discovery sheds light on how new species are formed and may explain the existence of new species despite occasional hybridization.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·DateOct 5, 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.

Nanofabrication method paves way for new optical devices

A new fabrication technique using soft lithography has enabled the mass production of plasmonic metamaterials, which exhibit exceptional optical properties due to their unique structure. The technique allows for scalable manufacturing and can produce materials with high-quality transmission behavior, focusing light in microscale patches.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 5, 2007

Rugby kick success may come down to swing of the arm, shows research

Researchers found that players who swing their non-kicking-side arm across their chest are the most accurate kickers, particularly over longer distances. This movement helps control body rotation and counteract leg movement, increasing accuracy and margin of error.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalSports Biomechanics·DateOct 5, 2007

Study: diabetic neuropathy costs billions per year in lost work time

A recent study found that workers with diabetic neuropathic symptoms lose an average of 1.4 hours per week due to health-related lost productive time, resulting in $3.65 billion annual costs. Those with diabetes without symptoms still experience a higher likelihood of unemployment compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateOct 5, 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.

The reservoir of Marburg virus identified in a species of fruit bat

Scientists have found Marburg virus in Egyptian rousette fruit bats, a non-symptom developing carrier species that likely transmits the virus to humans. The discovery reveals this bat as Africa's natural reservoir and highlights the need for public health measures to prevent future outbreaks.

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 5, 2007

BSSA tipsheet for October 2007

Researchers identify correlation between 3D basin geometry and observed shaking in previous earthquakes, leading to improved construction and seismic hazard assessments. A new tool for evaluating site conditions is also proposed, which could aid in risk assessment for earthquake-prone regions worldwide.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateOct 5, 2007

Story ideas from Molecular & Cellular Proteomics

Researchers identify key proteins in brain cortex associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. A new method also detects abnormal protein-sugar structures in blood plasma for cancer diagnosis. Additionally, proteins linked to improved liver cancer diagnosis have been identified.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateOct 5, 2007

USC biomedical team to participate in $6 million low vision project

The USC team aims to design visual displays that enhance certain parts of an image to help people with AMD digest visual information better. They will use techniques from computer vision and computational neuroscience to build visual displays that compensate for neural loss.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateOct 5, 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.

Human rights violations widespread in eastern Burma

A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that over half of households in displaced areas experienced human rights violations, leading to high mortality rates, infectious morbidity, and malnutrition. The survey revealed a five-fold increase in death risk among children under five years old in households with multiple human rights abuses.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateOct 5, 2007

Fair play in chimpanzees

In a study, chimpanzees were confronted with a simplified version of the ultimatum game. Unlike humans, they accepted any nonzero offer, whether it was unfair or not. The researchers conclude that chimpanzees do not show a willingness to make fair offers and reject unfair ones.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateOct 5, 2007