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Science News Archive 2008 - Page 159


Page 159 of 240

Study documents obesity and its association with heart risk

A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine has documented the association between obesity and increased risk of heart disease. The research found significant ethnic disparities in weight and cardiovascular health, with non-Hispanic white participants showing a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMay 12, 2008

May/June 2008 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A qualitative study of English family practice found that pay-for-performance programs reduce continuity of care and increase fragmentation. The programs also changed the nature of patient consultations, leaving physicians feeling less skilled and disconnected from patients.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 12, 2008
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.

Electrode re-implantation helps some Parkinson's disease patients

A study of seven patients with Parkinson's disease found that re-implanting electrodes to correct placement can improve symptoms and reduce medication doses for those who had poor results after initial implantation. The procedure led to significant improvements in motor function scores and reduced levodopa medication doses.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateMay 12, 2008

Beyond nutrition -- plants deliver

The Plant Journal special issue explores how plants can convert their fixed carbon into fuels and other useful products. This provides a renewable and affordable source of carbon to sustain future economic development without negatively impacting the environment.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateMay 12, 2008

ASU researchers synthesize molecule with self-control

ASU researchers designed a molecule that mimics nature's non-photochemical quenching process, regulating light intensity and converting sunlight into chemical energy. The molecule adapts to its environment, reducing the efficiency of energy conversion as light intensity increases.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 12, 2008
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.

Ancient protein offers clues to killer condition

Researchers found a motor protein, myosin 2, remains structurally identical in turkeys and scallops despite their different physical paths. This suggests the protein's importance in regulating smooth muscle function, potentially holding key to understanding aneurisms in humans.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

How embryonic stem cells develop into tissue-specific cells demonstrated

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem demonstrate the exact mechanism by which embryonic stem cells develop into specific cell types. The study reveals that ES cells express a large proportion of their genome in an 'open and active' state, enabling them to become any cell type before undergoing global genetic silencing.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 12, 2008

3 million pound investment for future of science and mathematics education

The Economic & Social Research Council invests £3 million in five projects across the UK to enhance student engagement and understanding of Science and Mathematics related subjects. The projects focus on curriculum reform, assessment methods, and developing effective interventions to improve participation rates.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 12, 2008

Vision therapy appears to improve visual function in macular disease

A low-vision therapy program significantly improved vision in veterans with diseases of the macula, with notable gains in reading ability, mobility, and visual motor skills. The study suggests that at least 10 hours of low-vision therapy is justified for patients with moderate and severe vision loss from macular diseases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateMay 12, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Model shows how mutation tips biochemistry to cause Alzheimer's

Researchers used computer simulations to study the effects of a minor genetic mutation on Alzheimer's disease. The mutation, which affects a protein fragment, alters its shape and increases the likelihood of toxic clumps forming in brain cells.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

Children better prepared for school if their parents read aloud to them

Children whose parents read aloud to them have better language and literacy skills when they start school. This interactive style of reading has a significant impact on their development. Additionally, the Reach Out and Read programme in Boston improved language skills in low-income families by increasing parents' reading habits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateMay 12, 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.

New approach to protect the hearts of patients with muscular dystrophy

Researchers at the University of Montreal have discovered a potential new treatment for cardiac complications in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that administering sildenafil protects the heart in mice with the disease.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

New clues to how proteins dissolve and crystallize

A team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has used near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements to study ion-protein interactions. The results support the Law of Matching Water Affinities, a proposed explanation for Hofmeister effects.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

Maths plus 'geeky' images equals deterred students

A study funded by the Economic & Social Research Council found that students perceive mathematicians as old, white, middle-class men with no social life. The research suggests using popular culture to promote a more positive view of maths.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 12, 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.

Memory lane: Older persons with more schooling spend fewer years with cognitive loss

A new study found that those with at least a high school education spend more years without cognitive loss, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia, but die sooner after the impairment becomes apparent. Those with higher levels of education can expect to live 14.1 more years without cognitive impairment.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Aging and Health·DateMay 12, 2008

Seeing Alzheimer's amyloids

Scientists from Brandeis University and the Leibniz Institut have created a 3D image of an Alzheimer's peptide aggregate using electron microscopy. The study reveals the spaghetti-like structure of A-beta peptide aggregates, also known as amyloid fibrils.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

Researchers find natural section favors parasite fitness over host health

A study by Emory University researcher Jacobus de Roode found that higher levels of replication within the host result in both increased virulence and greater transmission of parasites. This suggests that natural selection selects for harmful parasites, prioritizing their fitness over host health.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 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.

Are anxiety disorders all in the mind?

Researchers found altered dopamine activity in individuals with social anxiety disorder, suggesting a biological cause for the dysfunction. The study provides evidence of a physical component to social anxiety and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMay 12, 2008

Why did the EPA fire a respected toxicologist?

The EPA dismissed Deborah Rice, a highly respected toxicologist, after the chemical industry complained about her views on deca's health hazards. Herbert Needleman argues that this trend is not new and unique, citing his own dismissal for speaking out on lead poisoning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 12, 2008

Risky rainy days who plans for their financial future?

Researchers found that disabled people faced uncertain financial futures due to limited access to insurance and extra costs associated with disability. Socio-economic factors such as religion and ethnicity also influenced attitudes towards money and debt.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 12, 2008
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.

MS can affect children's IQ, thinking skills

A study published in Neurology found that children with multiple sclerosis exhibit low IQ scores and problems with memory, attention, and other thinking skills. The disease can also affect language development, with 30% of affected children experiencing language difficulties.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 12, 2008

Prism glasses expand the view for patients with hemianopia

Patients with hemianopia benefit from prism glasses that expand their visual field, improving obstacle avoidance and daily mobility. A new study has shown significant benefits for patients wearing these glasses, with 47% reporting them as 'very helpful' after 12 months.

SourceSchepens Eye Research Institute·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateMay 12, 2008

Research shows timing improves cleft palate surgery

Researchers have found that delaying gum tissue closure improves outcomes for cleft palate patients. The study, led by Dr. Damir Matic, involved 136 children and found that closing the cleft at 8-9 years old prior to canine tooth eruption leads to better facial growth and reduces damage.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·DateMay 12, 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.

Study finds economics helping to change early childhood policy debate

A growing body of economic research suggests that public investment in early childhood programs may be able to lower public costs for social services by improving children's long-term welfare. However, the report highlights a spectrum of promising services and provides guidance on how to choose an optimal level of each program.

SourceRAND Corporation·DateMay 12, 2008

Arsenic-based therapy shown to help eradicate leukemia-initiating cells

A study led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center finds that a tumor suppressor protein called PML enables leukemia-initiating cells to maintain quiescence, making them resistant to conventional therapies. Inhibiting PML with an arsenic-based agent successfully treats chronic myeloid leukemia when combined with chemotherapy.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMay 12, 2008

Hot climate could shut down plate tectonics

A new study finds that Earth's plate tectonics could become unstable if the surface temperature rises by 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more for a few million years. This would cause the crust to become locked in place, leading to volcanic activity and a lack of tectonic plates moving.

SourceRice University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateMay 12, 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.

Glaucoma patients with poor health literacy may have greater disease progression

A study found that glaucoma patients with poor health literacy have lower understanding of the condition, miss more appointments, and experience faster visual field loss. The authors emphasize the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate communication to improve patient compliance with medications and treatment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateMay 12, 2008

Air pollution, smoking affect latent tuberculosis

A new study from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that carbon monoxide in air pollution and tobacco smoke triggers tuberculosis infection to shift into a dormant state. This dormant state is difficult to detect and treat, contributing to the spread of TB and its high mortality rate.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 12, 2008

Both boys and girls negatively affected by sexual harassment

Girls were harassed more frequently than boys, but both sexes suffered negative effects from a school climate that tolerates girl's harassment. The study found a link between the climate and feelings of safety, withdrawal from school, and lowered self-esteem in both girls and boys.

SourceWiley·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateMay 12, 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.

NIH grant to support Translational Research Center for PCOS

A new Translational Research Center for PCOS will be established at VCU, focusing on genetics and pharmacogenomics to identify risk factors and optimal treatment. The center aims to bring research discoveries from the laboratory bench quickly to clinical care, improving outcomes for women with PCOS.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·DateMay 12, 2008

What's the difference between a human and a fruit fly?

Scientists have developed a new way to estimate the total number of protein interactions in organisms, revealing that humans have approximately 10 times more protein interactions than fruit flies. This study contradicts previous comparisons based on gene numbers, which suggested that humans and fruit flies are relatively similar.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

Think before you drink, says university research

Researchers plan to reduce binge drinking by providing workplace information and employee commitments, with a focus on raising awareness of health effects. They will follow up with employees to assess long-term behavior change.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateMay 12, 2008

When following the leader can lead into the jaws of death

A study by Ashley J. W. Ward and colleagues found that groups of fish only follow leaders when a threshold number of fellow group members perform a particular behaviour, reducing the risk of non-adaptive following. This quorum response is also relevant to human decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 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.

Carnegie Mellon engineering researchers automate analysis of protein patterns

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a software toolbox that can automatically analyze protein patterns in human tissues. This tool can help identify biomarkers useful for cancer diagnosis and therapy, enabling a better understanding of how cells work and advancing disease detection.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateMay 12, 2008

Borrowers who complete homeownership education programs make better refinancing decisions

A study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management found that borrowers who complete homeownership education and counseling programs are more informed about when to refinance. The effectiveness of these programs varies by type, with intensive classroom-based instruction showing significant impacts on borrowing behavior.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateMay 12, 2008

Study: Kids think eyeglasses make other kids look smart

A study found that young children tend to associate glasses with intelligence and honesty, but not attractiveness. The findings suggest that media portrayals may be reinforcing stereotypes among young children.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOphthalmic and Physiological Optics·DateMay 12, 2008
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.

NOAA reports coastal waters show decline in contaminants

A 20-year study by NOAA reveals a positive trend in reducing contaminant levels in U.S. coastal waters, despite ongoing concerns about metals and industrial chemicals. The report highlights decreasing trends for pesticides like DDT and industrial chemicals PCBs, but notes continued issues with oil-related compounds and flame retardants.

SourceNOAA Headquarters·DateMay 12, 2008

Fish diet to avoid fights

Research found that subordinate fish go on a diet to avoid provoking fights, maintaining social hierarchy in coral reef groups. This discovery challenges traditional views on dominant individuals retaining their position through size and intimidation.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 11, 2008
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.