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Science News Archive April 2008


Page 7 of 22

We are family -- but advertisers often miss the point

Family membership affects consumer choices, from cell phone plans to kitchen remodels and displaying treasured keepsakes. Advertisers can gain value by positioning products as resources for achieving relational and family identity goals.

Survival rates appear lower for scalp and neck melanoma than for other sites

A recent study found that individuals with melanoma on their scalp or neck have lower survival rates than those with melanomas at other sites. The study analyzed data from U.S. cancer registries and found significant differences in five-year and 10-year survival rates, highlighting the importance of skin awareness and sun protection.

How much progress has there been in vaccinating against Hib in the Americas?

By the end of 2006, all countries in the Americas had included Hib vaccine in their immunization schedule. However, efforts are still needed to strengthen invasive bacterial disease surveillance and improve vaccination coverage. The successful introduction of Hib and pneumococcal vaccines could reduce global severe pneumonia burden by ...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers detail chemotherapy's damage to the brain

Researchers detail chemotherapy's damage to the brain, finding that healthy cells die off long after treatment ends. The study identifies 5-fluorouracil as a contributor to chemo brain, with damaged oligodendrocytes leading to cognitive decline and demyelination.

Carnegie Mellon studies how climate change impacts food production

Carnegie Mellon researchers argue that dietary choice, not food miles, determines a household's climate impact. Shifting to a local diet or reducing meat and dairy consumption can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Eating more plant-based meals can reduce emissions by up to 8,000 miles driven per year.

Coke or Pepsi? Being distracted can make you more susceptible to ads

A study by Bryan Gibson found that people are more likely to choose a brand they associate with positive images when distracted. Even if participants couldn't remember the pairing, this effect occurred. The findings suggest implicit product attitudes play a significant role in impulse purchases.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Patients arriving at hospitals in off hours get slower, less care

A recent study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found that patients admitted with heart attacks during off-hours receive slower and less comprehensive care. Despite this, there is no significant difference in in-hospital death rates between those arriving during regular hours and off-hours.

Mammography may be beneficial to all women, regardless of age

Researchers found that regular mammograms significantly reduce the risk of being diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in women over 80. Women who received mammograms were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease and had a higher five-year survival rate compared to non-users.

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.

Brain reacts to fairness as it does to money and chocolate

UCLA researchers found that people tend to accept fair offers over unfair ones, with the brain responding similarly to winning money or eating chocolate. The study suggests that humans have an innate preference for fairness, which can be regulated through self-control.

Counting every thought: What consumers see when looking at ads

Researchers found that traditional thought-listing exercises can introduce bias and fail to capture specific cognitive responses. Instead, implicit measures of cognitive responses are likely to perform better when people are unable to access their thoughts directly.

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.

Advanced life support in ambulances doesn't benefit trauma patients

New research from the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support project shows that advanced life support for trauma patients prior to hospital transport has no survival benefits and may even cause harm. The study found no difference in patient survival rates between those receiving basic and advanced life support.

Lizard hunting styles impact ability to walk, run

Researchers found that sit-and-wait lizards use running mechanics when moving at slower speeds, while wide foragers evolved a walking gait. The study used 18 species of lizards to understand the impact of foraging styles on biomechanics.

Improving quality of life for brain tumor patients

A new neuroimaging study maps functional brain areas to improve cognitive skills before, during, and after brain tumour surgery. The study uses fMRI to localize important areas and preserve motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities.

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 reveals inaccuracies in studies of cancer treatment

A new study published by the American Cancer Society found that observational studies on cancer treatments can be inaccurate due to selection biases. The researchers analyzed data from the SEER registry and found improbable results, indicating how easy it is to generate questionable results in these types of studies.

Chocolate bar shown to lower cholesterol

A University of Illinois study found that eating two CocoaVia dark chocolate bars daily lowered total cholesterol by 2% and LDL cholesterol by 5.3%. The drop in cholesterol numbers is attributed to plant sterols added to the bar and flavanols found in dark chocolate.

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.

Migraine increases risk of severe skin sensitivity and pain

Research found that people with migraine are more likely to experience exacerbated skin sensitivity or pain after daily activities, particularly those with chronic migraines. The study also identified risk factors for migraine progression, including allodynia and depression.

Larger skin lesions appear more likely to be melanomas

A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that larger skin lesions (over 6mm) are more likely to be melanoma. The findings support the use of diameter guidelines for screening, but also suggest that smaller lesions can still be malignant.

Starbucks to make contribution to

Starbucks and Conservation International are partnering to address climate change and promote sustainable coffee farming. The companies will plant 10 trees in Mexico for every $10 donated through the Starbucks Card Rewards program, supporting conservation efforts in Chiapas.

Biology of Reproduction highlights

Recent studies in Biology of Reproduction suggest that maternal follicular testosterone influences the sex of bovine embryos, while research on maternal cell microchimerism reveals its presence in major organs of healthy newborn mice. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind these phenomena.

Mascoma and UT join in $26M DOE grant

The University of Tennessee has received a $26 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop biomass conversion technology. The grant will support research on converting biomass crops into fuels and other products, with the goal of creating a thriving, sustainable biobased economy in the state.

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.

US sees decline in number of general surgeons

The number of general surgeons per 100,000 Americans has declined by over 25% since 1981, mainly due to an aging population and a lack of rural training opportunities. Rural areas are disproportionately affected, with urban areas experiencing a slightly greater decline.

Survey offers first-ever look at treatment practices for nonepileptic seizures

The study found that psychotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for nonepileptic seizures, followed by education and psychopharmacology. Neurologists and psychiatrists often work together to care for patients with NES, but barriers to treatment adherence include insurance limitations and lack of experienced practitioners.

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.

Computer scientists develop solutions for long-term storage of digital data

Computer scientists have developed a solution called Pergamum, which uses hard disk drives to provide energy-efficient and cost-effective long-term data storage. The system is designed to be reliable, scalable, and adaptable, making it suitable for businesses and individuals looking to preserve digital data.

Teenage suicides: Study advocates greater family support

Research highlights a key role for general practitioners in providing long-term, individually formulated support schemes for families of suicide victims. The study found that post-suicidal reactions and impacts on daily living are still profoundly affecting families after the event.

Effective cancer immune therapy through order in the blood vessels

Researchers discovered a key molecule that normalizes tumor vasculature, allowing immune cells to colonize cancer tissue in large numbers. This finding led to improved survival rates in mice with disrupted Rgs5 gene, highlighting the potential of vascular normalization for enhancing immune therapy.

Many African-Americans have a gene that prolongs life after heart failure

Research found that 40% of African-Americans have a genetic variant that protects them from heart failure and prolongs their lives. The variant has an effect similar to beta blockers, which are widely prescribed for heart failure. This study resolves the controversy surrounding beta blocker efficacy in African-American patients.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Medicare to consider public opinion about medical maggots

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will solicit public input on establishing a HCPCS code for medicinal maggots. Medical maggots have been used in the US for over 80 years and can save thousands of dollars in medical costs, but CMS has not provided reimbursement codes.

Genetic variant mimics effect of heart failure medications

A genetic variation found predominantly in African Americans acts as a natural 'beta-blockade', protecting against death and the need for a heart transplant. The discovery adds to evidence that genetic differences influence medication response, highlighting potential for personalized medicine.

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.

Breast cancers behave differently before and after the age of 70

Researchers found that breast cancers behave differently before and after age 70. Women aged under 70 are less likely to have aggressive tumors spreading to lymph nodes as they age, but the opposite occurs for women over 70. Decreased immune defense mechanisms may play a role in this change.

Researchers warm up to melt's role in Greenland ice loss

Researchers confirm structure of Greenland Ice Sheet plumbing and find that summertime melt indeed contributes to the speed up of ice loss. However, they also conclude that summertime melt is not as critical a factor as other causes of ice loss.

Vitamin D and breast cancer risk

A study of 1,394 women found that those with low vitamin D levels had a significantly increased breast cancer risk. Carriers of certain polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene also showed an increased risk of developing breast tumors.

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.

UC San Diego scientists show first 3-D image of antibody gene

Researchers at UC San Diego have created the first 3D image of an antibody gene, shedding light on the human genome's three-dimensional structure. The study uses geometry to resolve the structure of a genetic locus, revealing 'flower-like' structures connected by linkers that generate diverse antibodies.

Boys in the Hood

The US Department of Homeland Security has developed a wearable hood for emergency escape with 15-minute chemical protection. The EH-15 mask provides protection against chemicals and biologics, has a three-year shelf life, and highly efficient particulate filters.

Female mice can identify inbred males by their scent

Researchers found that female mice prefer outbred males with diverse major urinary proteins (MUPs) in their urine. This distinction allows females to 'count' the number of protein types, avoiding inbred males with less varied protein profiles.

Ceramic, heal thyself

Researchers found that oxygen atoms in yttria-stabilized zirconia can heal radiation-induced damage by moving into pre-existing vacancies. This self-healing behavior could lead to the development of radiation-resistant materials, improving durability and reducing replacement costs. The simulation results also suggest that this ceramic ...

Major discovery in the treatment of aortic valve stenosis

A recent study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology has made a significant breakthrough in treating aortic valve stenosis, a common form of heart valve disease. The experimental treatment, which raises high-density lipoproteins (HDL), showed promising results, including reduced aortic valve narrowing and calcifications.

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.

Geometry shapes sound of music

Researchers from Florida State University, Yale University, and Princeton University developed a new theory that analyzes music using geometry. The 'geometrical music theory' tool helps composers explore uncharted possibilities and musicians may be trained differently. It represents a culmination of the marriage between music and math.

Study finds patients overestimate cancer screening history

A new study by the American Cancer Society found that female African American patients tend to overestimate their level of cancer screening. The study compared self-reported data with medical records and found significant discrepancies for some procedures, affecting estimates of screening rates.

No place like home: Katrina's lasting impact

A study found that severe housing damage is a key factor behind socioeconomic disparities in psychological distress after Hurricane Katrina. The research also revealed that blacks were substantially more likely to experience serious psychological distress, with almost one-third reporting high levels of distress.

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.