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Science News Archive 2008 - Page 108


Page 108 of 240

Survey of Hispanics and alcohol dependence

Researchers are surveying 1,500 Mexican-American males living on the U.S.-Mexico border to examine their alcohol consumption and behavior. The study aims to understand how acculturation, religious affiliation, cultural influences, and cost affect drinking habits in this population.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateJul 28, 2008

The kids most likely to go armed

A new analysis of a 2005 survey found that male students were more likely to carry weapons than females, with certain racial groups also being overrepresented. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as living in violent neighborhoods, may contribute to the carrying of weapons among disadvantaged students.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalAnnals of General Psychiatry·DateJul 28, 2008
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.

Study provides clues to preventing and treating cancer spread

A study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that fibrocytes, cells involved in wound healing, can form premetastatic niches that facilitate cancer spread. Researchers found that injecting these cells into mice nearly doubled the rate of metastasis, a finding that could lead to new treatments.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJul 28, 2008

A hormone that enhances one's memory of happy faces

Researchers found that oxytocin increases the encoding of positive social memories, allowing individuals to better recall happy faces. This breakthrough has potential implications for treating psychiatric disorders related to social isolation.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 28, 2008

UCSF study shows sharp national rise in skin infections, MRSA suspected

A nationwide study found a sharp increase in skin infections, with abscesses and cellulitis rates nearly quadrupling in safety-net emergency departments and tripling among children. The study suggests community-acquired MRSA is the main cause of this rise, affecting all populations but those over 45 less severely.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJul 28, 2008

Dementia in developing nations may have been substantially underestimated

A new study published in The Lancet suggests that dementia prevalence in less developed countries may be significantly higher than initially estimated. The study used a unique diagnostic method to assess dementia cases in 15 sites across 11 countries, revealing higher prevalence rates compared to conventional criteria.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 27, 2008
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Pre-eclampsia may be autoimmune disease

Biochemists at the University of Texas Medical School have found evidence that pre-eclampsia may be an autoimmune disease, with autoantibodies activating an angiotensin receptor that causes artery constriction. This could lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for the condition.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 27, 2008

Scientists demonstrate highly directional semiconductor lasers

Researchers at Harvard University developed a plasmonic collimator that reduces beam divergence by 25 times, enabling applications in photonics and communications. The innovation opens doors to edge-emitting and surface-emitting semiconductor lasers operating at various wavelengths.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 27, 2008
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Defining DNA differences to track and tackle typhoid

A new study uses next-generation DNA sequencing to uncover genetic signatures of typhoid fever, allowing for improved diagnosis, tracking of disease spread, and potential design of new vaccines. The technology also enables researchers to identify individual organisms causing outbreaks and target vaccination campaigns more effectively.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 27, 2008
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.

Francisella tularensis: Stopping a biological weapon

A vaccine for tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, is being developed as the disease's potential as a bioterrorism agent has increased. Researchers have made progress in understanding the bacterium's pathogenesis and identifying potential targets for a vaccine.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of Medical Microbiology·DateJul 27, 2008

NYU Langone Medical Center's tip sheet to the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008

Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center presented several key findings on Alzheimer's disease risk factors, including a study that identified signs of brain pathology in healthy individuals. They also reported promising results from couples counseling and antibody tests against common mouth bacteria linked to Alzheimer's disease. The...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·DateJul 26, 2008

Second Life a first for UH department of health and human performance

The UH department of health and human performance is leveraging Second Life to enhance student learning, with grants supporting research on virtual environments and instructional technology. Faculty members aim to create immersive learning experiences, promote healthy habits, and facilitate international collaborations.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateJul 25, 2008

Colonial heritage metaphors used in US military conflicts

The US military employs 'Indian Country' metaphors to describe hostile territories in war zones, drawing on a presumed collective memory of past battles. This metaphor reframes Native American histories and struggles in light of contemporary terrorism.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Anthropologist·DateJul 25, 2008

Plasma DNA level is a reliable marker of recurrent esophageal cancer, study finds

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that elevated plasma DNA levels are a reliable marker of recurrent esophageal cancer. Plasma DNA levels rose before clinical evidence of recurrence in most patients, indicating its potential as a biomarker for disease monitoring.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJul 25, 2008
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.

Anti-HIV therapy boosts life expectancy more than 13 years

Researchers found that combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) increased life expectancy for HIV patients by more than 13 years. The study, published in The Lancet, analyzed data from 43,355 HIV-positive participants and found a nearly 40% drop in AIDS deaths.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 25, 2008

ASGE issues guidelines on the role of endoscopy in the bariatric surgery patient

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued guidelines on the role of endoscopy in bariatric surgery patients. The guidelines emphasize the importance of preoperative endoscopy to detect lesions that may affect surgery and postoperative symptoms or conditions, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJul 25, 2008

'Green' potato health risk can be eliminated by cutting away affected area

Potatoes with 'green' patches contain a toxic substance called Glycoalkaloids (GA), posing health risks. Cutting away the affected area can eliminate most of the toxin, reducing public health risks. Effective pre-harvest and post-harvest practices, such as proper soil coverage and harvesting timing, can also control GA levels in potatoes.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateJul 25, 2008

Wealth does not dictate concern for the environment

A new study reveals that citizens of poorer nations are equally concerned about environmental quality as their counterparts in rich nations. This challenges the long-held assumption that poverty-stricken countries prioritize basic needs over environmental protection.

SourceWiley·JournalSociological Quarterly·DateJul 25, 2008
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.

Naumann, Rosenberg win Best Paper Award at ECOOP conference

Professors David Naumann and Stan Rosenberg from Stevens Institute of Technology introduced a new programming logic to leverage existing software tools and scale up large software systems in languages like Java and C#. Their work was funded by the National Science Foundation.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateJul 25, 2008

Princeton scientists spy an electron dance

Researchers from Princeton University have discovered that electrons in bismuth display a highly unusual pattern of behavior under a powerful magnetic field at ultra-low temperatures. This phenomenon, known as a collective state, is a manifestation of quantum mechanics and could lead to new paradigms in computing and electronics.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2008

Women's access to credit affects efficiency in rural households

A new study reveals that women's lack of access to credit leads to reduced economic output in rural households, with an average loss of 11% efficiency. The research highlights the need for policies addressing women's capital constraints to promote economic growth and efficient resource allocation.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateJul 25, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mustard -- hot stuff for natural pest control

Researchers are using biofumigation with mustard and other Brassica species to manage soil-borne pests and weeds. This technique can provide economic and social benefits by reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and promoting environmental health.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateJul 25, 2008

Heart researchers receive grant to study asthma

A team of University of Iowa investigators are applying findings from heart research to the study of asthma, focusing on an enzyme known to play a role in heart failure. They aim to learn more about airway smooth muscle cells and their response to the enzyme CaM kinase II.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateJul 25, 2008

Researchers disprove long-standing belief about HIV treatment

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have disproven the long-held belief that hepatitis C virus slows immune system recovery after HIV treatment. The study found no difference in CD4 cell restoration between co-infected and mono-infected patients, suggesting other factors are at play.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·DateJul 25, 2008
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Study: No gender differences in math performance

A recent study published in Science challenges the notion that girls are less skilled at math than boys. Using data from over 7 million students, researchers found no significant differences in average math scores between genders. However, they did identify a lack of questions testing complex problem-solving skills on state assessments...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateJul 24, 2008

HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean

The HIV/AIDS epidemic affects nearly 2 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, with most transmission through unprotected sex. The region faces unique challenges due to socio-economic disparities, homophobia, and lack of access to healthcare and education.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 24, 2008

Why play a losing game? Study uncovers why low-income people buy lottery tickets

A new Carnegie Mellon University study finds that low-income individuals spend a larger percentage of their incomes on lottery tickets due to the hope of improving their financial situations. The research suggests that lotteries exploit poor people's desires to escape poverty, exacerbating income inequality.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Behavioral Decision Making·DateJul 24, 2008

Study shows emergency physicians have good first instincts in diagnosing heart attacks

A new study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal found that emergency room doctors correctly identify patients with heart attack symptoms even when laboratory tests have not yet confirmed it. The study analyzed data from over 4,000 patients and showed that physicians are relying on their clinical impression to diagnose heart att...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateJul 24, 2008
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.

A new cellular pathway linked to cancer is identified by NYU researchers

Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified a new cellular pathway that responds to DNA damage and is linked to the development of cancer. The pathway involves a process that targets proteins for disposal, which could potentially be used to sensitize cancer cells to treatment.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateJul 24, 2008

Consortium develops new method to manipulate genetic material

A team of researchers has developed a powerful tool to induce specific genomic modifications in many types of cells, including plants and humans. The new method, known as OPEN, enables academic researchers to rapidly create high-quality enzymes that can target and manipulate DNA sequences for repair or inactivation.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 24, 2008

Study shows residents may benefit most from time in the clinic

A University of Cincinnati study found that residents who spent more time in outpatient settings delivered a higher quality of care and had greater satisfaction in their duties. The new system, implemented to reduce conflict between inpatient and outpatient care, provided hands-on learning and enhanced patient satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 24, 2008
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.

Accretion discs show their true colors

A new study using VLT observations verifies the long-standing prediction that accretion discs emit intensely blue radiation. The researchers used polarised light from six quasars to uncover the buried light from the discs, vindicating the standard picture of these discs.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2008

Adult stem cells activated in mammalian brain

Researchers at the University of California-Irvine have discovered that adult stem cells in the mammalian brain originate from ependymal cells lining the ventricles. These cells can be coaxed into dividing, providing a promising approach to treating neurological disorders and injuries such as Parkinson's disease and stroke.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNeuroscience·DateJul 24, 2008

Cow power could generate electricity for millions

Converting livestock manure into biogas can produce enough electricity to meet up to 3% of North America's energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process has the potential to generate 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, equivalent to powering millions of homes.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 24, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Prevailing theory of aging challenged in Stanford worm study

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that specific genetic instructions drive aging in worms, shifting the focus away from tissue damage accumulation. The study found age-related changes in transcription factors that regulate genes, triggering pathways that transform young worms into older ones.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalCell·DateJul 24, 2008

Older people may need less sleep, study finds

Research suggests that older adults require less sleep than younger individuals, with a decline in both the quality and quantity of sleep. This finding has implications for the treatment of insomnia in older adults, who may overestimate their need for sleep and use medications unnecessarily.

SourceCell Press·DateJul 24, 2008

Polarized sunglasses see black hole disks

Researchers have successfully visualized the elusive disks of matter surrounding supermassive black holes using a polarising filter on the UK Infrared Telescope. This breakthrough allows scientists to study these black holes in greater detail, shedding light on their structure and composition.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2008
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.

Novel structure proteins could play a role in apoptosis

Researchers have discovered that isoforms from Novel Structure Proteins (NSPs) could be involved in apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death. The NSPs were found to interact with the protein B23, and silencing their expression led to increased cell viability but reduced apoptosis.

SourceTemple University·JournalCell Cycle·DateJul 24, 2008

Energy drinks linked to risk-taking behaviors among college students

A study found that frequent energy drink consumption is associated with increased risk of substance use, unsafe sexual activity, and other forms of risk-taking among college students. Energy drink consumption may serve as a screening indicator for identifying students at risk for problem behavior syndrome.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJul 24, 2008

Joy Luck Club: The health benefits of daughters-in-law

A study by USC researchers found that daughters-in-law provide essential instrumental support to older women in rural China, reducing depressive symptoms. In contrast, household support from own children is damaging and increases depressive symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJul 24, 2008

Missing link found between circadian clock and metabolism

Two new studies found a connection between the circadian clock and metabolism through the protein SIRT1, which regulates energy levels throughout the day. The findings suggest that drugs targeting SIRT1 could help treat circadian sleep disturbances.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJul 24, 2008

Early cessation of breastfeeding by HIV+ women in poor countries and child survival

Researchers found that early cessation or continued breastfeeding by HIV-infected women in low-resource settings does not significantly affect child survival. Infants who were weaned abruptly had higher death rates than those whose mothers continued breast-feeding, while formula-fed infants missed out on protective antibodies.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 24, 2008
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.